Tag Archives: Huskies

Hobey Baker Award Finalists

Leave a reply

March is here, therefore it is time to announce the ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the best player in College Hockey.  Before I list the ten finalists, I think it is important to clarify what it means to be the best player in all of college hockey, and how Hobey Baker’s legacy stands today.

Hobey Baker

Today, Hobey Baker, is synonymous with the award sharing his name.  However, not many fans know much about him.  It is easy to just assume Hobey Baker’s skill at the game is why the award is named after him.  It is basically an “MVP Award” for college hockey.  In many ways that is true.  However, Hobey Baker is also one of the most tremendous athletes in American history.  Hobey Baker is one of the United States’ first great hockey players.  Playing at the legendary St. Paul’s School in Concord New Hampshire, Baker represented the team with poise and class.  Hobey Baker’s game was speed, endurance, and stickhandling.  These traits led him to Princeton.

Baker’s fame on campus matches was that of Jack Eichel at Boston University.  Throughout all this, Hobey Baker never let the fame go to his head.  Not to mention being named the, “King of Hockey.”  He stayed true to himself as a humble gentlemen.  His fame and gentlemanly persona made him a target by opposing teams.  Many players, Wayne Gretzky especially, faced similar obstacles.  Nonetheless, Hobey Baker always went to opposing locker rooms to shake hands with other players.

Finalists

There is not much controversy regarding this season’s Hobey Baker Award Finalists.  In alphabetical order the finalists are, Henrik Borgström (Denver), Ryan Donato (Harvard), Matthew Galajda (Cornell), Adam Gaudette (Northeastern), Dylan McLaughlin (Canisius), Cale Morris (Notre Dame), Colton Point (Colgate), Jimmy Schuldt (St. Cloud State), Dylan Sikura (Northeastern) and CJ Suess (Minnesota State).

The way the voting process takes place is the 60 head coaches of Division 1 teams vote, as well as online voting.  This is the beginning of the voting process.  Now, the member selection committee and more online voting ends the process.  The winner is announced during the Frozen Four, on April 6th.  Last season, the honor went to Will Butcher of Denver, currently part of the New Jersey Devils organization.

It is hard to pick a winner of such a prestigious award.  Most Hobey Baker Award winners go on to great success.  Not just in the NHL, but throughout the entire hockey world.  These winners also go on to great financial success, just look at Johnny Gaudreau.  In my mind, I believe this award should belong to Adam Gaudette.  Although Dylan Sikura contributes exceptionally to the Huskies success this season.  Gaudette is the face of the team.  A new Beanpot legend, if Gaudette adds the Hobey Baker Award to his trophy shelf his future knows no bounds.  Even if he does not win the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, his future is bright.  But this could mean so much for his career with the Canucks.

 

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn

Cover Image courtesy of WCHA.com.

Northeastern Huskies Beanpot Champions

Leave a reply

“For the first time in 30 years, the Northeastern Huskies are college hockey’s Beanpot champions. Can you believe it?” – Joe Castigilione, probably.

David Versus Goliath

For as often as this biblical phrase is part of sentences, it truly fits the Huskies and Terriers rivalry. From a historical standpoint alone, Boston University is the favorite to win the Beanpot every season. After all, thirty Beanpot Championship trophies and banners in their trophy case back that up. Not to mention their incredibly hot goalie, Jake Oettinger, and their nine game unbeaten streak coming into the game, Boston University is in familiar waters. On the other hand, 2018 is a different season.

As I stated in the previous Beanpot article, Northeastern is the favorite this year. The number 12 ranked Northeastern Huskies came into the Garden, the favorites to win it all. At the present time, Matthews’ Arena is home to one of, if not the, best lines in all of College Hockey. Right wing Dylan Sikura, center Adam Gaudette, and left wing Nolan Stevens are making what is most likely their last season together a memorable one. To say nothing of Cayden Primeau, who carriers a 1.97 GAA, and a .925 SV%. Northeastern’s Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are keeping the Dog House rocking all season long. Stevens, Gaudette, and Sikura put 61 goals in the net this season. This is no cakewalk for the Terriers.0 BU is also hurt by the absence of Jordan Greenway who looks to become an American hero in the Olympics this year.

The Game

“I am sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Terriers have. Screw ‘em! This is our time.  Let’s go out there and take it!” – Jim Madigan’s pregame speech, probably.

In what was one of the most entertaining open periods in college hockey history, the 2018 Beanpot did not disappoint. BU immediately took the lead. While the first Terrier goal did not count due to goaltender interference, Boston University quickly scored again. Cayden Primeau wass kicking himself after sending the puck into his own net. Logan Cockerill was credited with the goal.  As a result, Northeastern jacked it up a notch, as Nolan Stevens took advantage of a BU penalty. Throughout the game Primeau stood tall, making 38 saves in the contest. Adam Gaudette will live forever in Beanpot legend as his hat-trick was the difference maker in this one. Gaudette also continued to write Northeastern history as he became the all-time school leader in power play goals.

Jim Madigan obviously understands the importance of the Beanpot. He is a Huskie through and through, from a player to a coach. After the game, Coach Madigan’s quote embodies this, “The first thing I thought about was ‘Hey we’re finally over the hump’’’. For now, Northeastern is the best college hockey program in Boston. While that itself is impressive, they know the season is not over, and they want to continue to make history.

http://northeasternhockeyblog.com/game-day/beanpot-round-harvard-northeastern-preview-boston-college-boston-university-1988-drought/

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter:  @MickGurn

 

Cover image courtesy of The Boston Globe.

Huskies and Terriers Set For A Dogfight

Leave a reply

How many dog puns can I make? With just three days removed from the Super bowl and Opening Day still 50 days away, we turn to college hockey and the Beanpot to help put us in a better mood. The Semi-finals fell on Monday, just as our Super Bowl hangovers were starting to go away. The Northeastern Huskies took on the Boston College Eagles, not Philadelphia. The Boston University Terriers battled the Harvard Crimson. Both were some of the best college hockey games put on television this season. Not to mention, cured some of our Super Bowl depression.

Grzelcyk

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Huskies vs. Eagles

For one of the first times in Beanpot history, Northeastern University came in as one of the favorites to win the whole thing. If they could do that, it would be their first Beanpot title since 1988, and just their fifth in history. Northeastern has not be able to fight off the other Boston-based teams. Boston University has been champions an astounding 30 times. Boston college is right behind them with 20 championships. Harvard scoots in with 11.

The past is in the past and Northeastern is in it for the long haul. They are currently ranked 15th, in the NCAA. The Huskies also play one of the best goalies in college hockey, Cayden Primeau.  In what was a thrilling game, Northeastern defeated the Eagles 3-0. Regardless of BC’s high powered offense, Primeau was able to stop all 37 shots. The big 3 kept doing what they have been doing all season for the Huskies: putting points on the board. Adam Gaudette, Dylan Sikura, and Nolan Stevens each scored.

Watch the highlights here.

 

Crimson vs. Terriers

It took two overtime periods, but Boston University was finally able to wash the Crimson away.Ty Amonte’s double-overtime goal ended the game 3-2. Terrier goalie Jake Oettinger kept Boston University in the entire game despite constant threats from Harvard. Harvard defenseman John Marino’s penalty allowed Logan Cockerill to get the points going putting BU ahead. At the end of the second period, Ty Pelton-Byce tied the game with a beautiful assist from Ryan Donato.

Thirty-two seconds into the third period, BU Captain Brandon Hickey put the Terriers ahead once again. Nonetheless, Harvard immediately answered back less than two minutes later. Jack Badini is a bad man and tied the game up. The rest of the game saw highlight saves from both Jake Oettinger, and Harvard net minder Merrick Madsen. Following a series of chance after the chance, the two teams found themselves with tired legs in the second overtime period. Three minutes in, Ty Amonte took the puck across the country and slammed the door closed for the Terrier victory.

Wednesday Night

Boston University will be looking to mimic 2015 magic when the Terriers barked down Harvard in the semifinals and chased Northeastern out of their yard to win the whole thing. The number 30 carries special meaning for both these teams. It has been 30 years since Northeaster’s last Beanpot championship in 1988. Could the Terriers add another to their already 30 Beanpot Championships? If this game were a history test, BU would pass with flying colors. In their last 20 Beanpot matchups, Boston University has taken a bite out of the Huskies 18 times. However, this is 2018, not 2015. This season Northeastern broke their leash and defeated the Huskies twice. Boston University will not have much time to recover and rest following the slobbering game versus Harvard. This will be a truly excellent game to watch.

 

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn  @TA_CawHawkey

Hockey East Biggest Games 1/20/18

Leave a reply

Hockey East competition is storming into 2018 and teams are beginning to separate themselves. Northeastern officially claimed first place in the Army ROTC Hockey East Rankings with twenty-three points. Likewise, Boston College, although struggling lately is still right there with twenty-two. The Friars’ recent loss put an end to a golden opportunity to gain ground on Northeastern and Boston College. As a result, Providence has twenty-two points and now stands next to Boston University.

Providence College and UConn

The Friars took an early bus ride down to the XL Center on Thursday night for a home and away series against the Huskies. The Friars were led by “Silky Wilky” Josh Wilkins’s two goals on their way to a 3-1 victory. All three of Providence’s goals came in the first period. Vimal Sukumaran’s goal at the end of the period put the game away. Hayden Hawkey’s twenty-three saves continued his hot streak. Following Thursday’s game the Friars ran their unbeaten streak to seven in a row (6-0-1). Huskie goaltender Tanner Creel got just his 3rd start of the season. Creel, a senior, is filling in for the injured Adam Huska and has proved himself worthy. Creel made twenty-seven saves and did not allow any goals after the first period. UConn’s power play struggles cost them as they dropped their fifth straight.

Saturday night the two teams met again as no love was lost in a physical contest. The hits were coming like Pablo Sandoval to a buffet. Several skirmishes broke out and hard checks were occurring up and down the ice. Huskies took advantage of a strong opening period to take the lead 1-0. UConn later extended their lead to 2-0 following a sloppy hit after the whistle penalty from Friar Alternate Captain Vincent Desharnais. The Friars came back strong and Captain Brian Pinho put Providence College on the board. Tanner Creel and the Huskies’ defense stood tall, like a proud oak tree, and added an empty netter to secure the win. Important to realize, this snapped the Friars’ streak of seven straight games without a loss. Watch the highlights here.

UMass Amherst and Northeastern

The stride the Northeastern Huskies are on hit a road block. The number eight ranked Huskies could not put a tally on the board against freshman goalie Matt Murray and the UMass Minutemen. While unranked and in eighth place in the Army ROTC Hockey East Rankings, the Minutemen are securing big wins this season. Coach Greg Carvel credits this win and the win over the Friars as his highlight of the season. This win for the Minutemen was no cakewalk. Northeastern is number eight and in first place in Hockey East for a reason. Northeastern led with shots on goal but the game had no goals until UMass started hitting its groove.

 

 

Additionally, the freshmen got it done for UMass this game. Rookie Mitchell Chaffee put a redirector into the net past Cayden Primeau. Likewise, Chaffee added to his impressive game by sending home a power play goal. Not to mention, another freshman, Mario Ferraro got a drive going that junior, Austin Plevy, put in the bag and took it to check out. UMass outshot the Huskies 32-29.  Northeastern could not get it done on the power play as they squandered their two man advantages. Matt Murray’s fifty-seven saves over the weekend earned him the Pro-Ambitions Rookie of the Week. Watch the highlights here. Northeastern cannot let off the gas again as they go up against the Providence College Friars next weekend.

 

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn

Cover photo courtesy of www.insidehockey.com

Northeastern is a Team to Recognize

Leave a reply

The Northeastern Huskies are a team looking to take no prisoners in the college world. After sweeping UMaine this past weekend, the Huskies are one point shy of Boston College for first place in Hockey East. The Huskies are led by Hockey East Player of the Week, and NCAA Scoring Leader, Adam Gaudette. The Braintree native’s seventeen goals, and eighteen assists add up to be the most in the NCAA. Gaduette’s hat trick against UMass Lowell earlier in the season was a thing of beauty. The Vancouver Canucks’ prospect is someone to keep an eye on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_OvwCJJK8o

This Season

Head Coach Jim Madigan has led the Huskies to an overall record of 14-5-3, and a Hockey East Record of 10-3-1. Northeastern is putting the rest of the college hockey world on notice, coming in at #8 in the NCAA. Notre Dame has to keep up their pace with Northeastern firing on all cylinders. However Northeastern cannot let up. They have an important series against Providence College on the horizon. The Friars look like they are beginning to hit their stride.

Again, Adam Gaudette has been nothing short of spectacular this season. If Gaudette lights the lamp similarly as he has done all season, he will be a favorite for the Hobey Baker Award. In a similar manner there is another Husky up for the Hobey Baker Award that cannot be overlooked. Senior Dylan Sikura also has eighteen assists this season and twelve goals. Sikura comes in with thirty points on the year. The Chicago prospect is coming off his best season in which he scored twenty-one goals, tallied thirty-six assists, and ended with fifty-seven total points. If he continues to improve in his senior season, he’ll be looking like a steal for Chicago.

Of course, the Huskies are getting a big boost behind the play in net of freshman Cayden Primeau. The Montreal 7th round Pick has a GAA of 2.03 and a SV% of .920. He has one shutout this season. Primeau had a season high 33 saves against the high-powered offense of the Boston University Terriers. Primeau looks like he can sew the wounds of Jon Gilles being lured away from Northeastern to Providence College.

Going Forward

The Northeastern Huskies’ break out season has been a long time coming. After making it to the NCAA postseason just once since Jim Madigan took over, a disappointing era of Northeastern Hockey could be coming to an end. Furthermore, the Huskies are ready to take over the top spot in Hockey East from the struggling Boston College Eagles. Last season Northeastern made it to the Hockey East Quarter Finals, and want more.

 

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn

Stop Taking Greatness for Granted

Leave a reply

There is something inherently wrong with that large segment of American culture that sees greatness and feels victimized by it. Rather than appreciate it for what it is, they feel the need to attack it.

As Patriots fans, we’ve seen that for years in the petty jealousies of vanquished foes and corrupt league officials. We are also more than accustomed to local beat writers who hate the local teams. Rather than report on the game, they disparage the team’s accomplishments, take exception with the leadership, and attack the players. They do this because the coaches and players do what those writers only dream they could. Yes, Dan Shaughnessy, I’m talking about you.

From Foxborough to Tuscaloosa

As awful as life may be outside your chosen athletic distraction, it’s pretty good as a New England fan. As sports fans we should recognize that we live in magical times. To answer for the brutal awfulness of Saturday’s NFL playoff games, Monday’s College Football National Championship game was a gift from the football gods to remind everyone why we watch sports.

Photo Credit: SI

Love Nick Saban or hate him, Alabama football is a thing of beauty. And they are not alone. From UConn’s women’s basketball to Duke’s men’s team, and from the San Antonio Spurs to the New England Patriots – there are organizations today that defy the norm and achieve on historic levels in every sport. We should recognize and appreciate their greatness, even if they’re not our team.

What Saban has accomplished in Alabama – five national championships in the last nine years – is astounding. Given that there are 129 NCAA Division I FBS football programs, all of which get 85 full-ride scholarships – or about 25 new scholarship athletes per year – the recruiting playing field is level. Saban doesn’t get all the best players, there is talent enough to go around. How else can the University of Central Florida go undefeated and beat SEC powerhouse Auburn in a bowl game?

Despite a level playing field and abundance of talent, the Tide consistently out-recruit and out-play the rest. Like the Patriots, Alabama is a case study in excellence.

Appreciate the Greatness

Like many, I have predicted that the Patriots will lose both Patricia and McDaniels this offseason, and that the dynasty is nearing its end. Barring some draft, free agency, or a series of medical miracles that will fix Jules’ knee, keep Gronk healthy, and prolong MVP-caliber performance from the oldest guy in the league, I still believe that to be true.

But so what? There is a game to play this weekend. The Patriots should be in the Super Bowl this year. Things happen so quickly in the NFL that we should savor what we have today. And, on top of all that, we know that the New England Patriots are the gold standard for organizational excellence.

The NFL is the most competitive league in professional sports. It is designed to ensure everyone is equally competitive.  From the salary cap, to draft and waiver order, to schedules designed to challenge better teams with stiffer competition, the NFL tries to level the field. Despite their efforts, for the past sixteen years the New England Patriots have won at the most impressive, historic rate imaginable. Nothing comes close to their five Lombardi’s, seven conference championships, and an absurd fifteen division titles.

Trust the Hoodie

The modern New England Patriots stand alone as the greatest professional sports dynasty in American history. And, rather than relish in the hyperbolic attacks by agenda driven morons in Bristow, Connecticut or professional naysayers at the Boston Globe, we ought to just appreciate what they’ve accomplished. We, myself included, should also trust that Kraft and Belichick are smart enough to keep this training rolling for a while longer.