Congratulations to Jack Parker on his 800th Win

BU's win over Merrimack last night gave Jack Parker his 800th win.  He is the third coach to reach this mark and the only one to reach this mark with just one team.  The picture to the left is from BU's web site of Jack with the team after his win 800th win.  

Here are a few more links to stories on Jack's 800th win, The Terrier Hockey Fan Blog, BU Web Site, Boston Herald, Boston.com.

Sioux - Another Opportunity Lost

The Sioux, once again, lost an opportunity to move up the pairwise last night.   With losses to Notre Dame, Vermont, Cornell, Minnesota, Northeastern, Princeton, Ohio State, and BC tied, an opportunity to move up in the rankings and further away from the pairwise "bubble race" was lost.  As mentioned many times during the season, tonight's game (against St. Cloud) is a must win.

Go Sioux.    

Tonight's "Hockey on Campus" Radio Show (7 - 9 p.m. ET) The Beanpot Preview

Here's the line-up for tonight's Beanpot Preview Show with Bernie Corbett and Paul McNamara.

HOCKEY ON CAMPUS radio will broadcast LIVE this week from BRANDY PETE’S restaurant (located in Boston’s Financial District at 267 Franklin Street) from 7 to 9 PM (Eastern Time) on AM-890 ESPN Boston, and 1400-AM in Lowell, and will also be streamed live online at http://www.890espn.com/.

Tonight’s line up for our 3rd Annual BEANPOT PREVIEW show includes:

Tournament Director STEVE NAZRO from The Garden
Harvard Coach TED DONATO
BU Coach JACK PARKER
BC Coach JERRY YORK
Northeastern Coach GREG CRONIN
Your phone calls at 617-242-3776 (242-E-S-P-N)


Come see the show LIVE from one of the true downtown Landmarks in Boston…

And bring a camera (or at least the camera in your mobile phone!) and take your picture with the world famous BEANPOT! We will have the “hardware” on hand, and ON DISPLAY!

Take a turn ON THE AIR, talk some college hockey, and make a Beanpot prediction!

Sioux weekend - I have a different take

I know when a team takes three points it's considered a good weekend, especially against a top ranked team. But this past weekend was not a series where UND stole three points, it was a series where UND lost an opportunity to grab four.

Did it bother anyone else that the Sioux let up 3 goals in the last minute of play in three different periods? I know one of the goals was on a power play, but it's really bugging me.

I guess what's really bothering me the most is that the Sioux dug a hole for themselves in the first half of the season and there is very little room for error in the second half. In prior seasons, the strength of the WCHA helped the Sioux in their second-half surge. This year, that same level of strength is lacking. The only thing that is really within North Dakota's control is the way they play in their own games and this year more than ever, every game counts. I guess I don't want to find us on the bubble at the end of the season and not make it into the NCAAs,wondering how things could have been different if we had only won just one more key game during the season. Because to date, there are about seven games you can point to that could have really helped the Sioux if they had pulled out a win: UMass, Cornell, Minnesota- Duluth (the tie), Michigan St., Michigan Tech (two times) and now Denver.

Tonight's "Hockey on Campus" Radio Show (7 - 9 p.m. ET)

Here's the line-up for tonight's show with Bernie Corbett and Paul McNamara -- sorry for the late post.


HOCKEY ON CAMPUS for Wednesday January 21, 2009

Hockey On Campus will broadcast live from the studio this evening from 7 to 9 pm (eastern time)
on Boston’s ESPN affiliate 890-AM ESPN Boston,

We also will stream live online at www.890ESPN.com.

Scheduled in the first hour tonight are:

From the Atlantic Hockey Association, Bentley Coach RYAN SODERQUIST

From the ECAC Northeast, Nichols College Men’s Coach LOU IZZI

From the Eastern Junior Hockey League, Publicity Director MIKE KLEIN

And from 8 – 9 pm we are scheduled to welcome:

From ECAC Division 1, Cornell Men’s Coach MIKE SCHAFER

With an update from The Hobey Baker Watch, ELLIOT OLSHANSKY

From Hockey East, UNH Men’s Coach DICK UMILE


Phone calls are welcomed at 617-242-3776 (617-242-E-S-P-N)

Sioux Take 3 Points / Another Dartmouth Turnaround? (Part II)

The Sioux continued their second-half run by taking three points from Michigan Tech (Friday's Game Summary and Saturday's Game Summary). The run is currently at 10-2-1. Back in December, I suggested that the 2008-2009 run has the same feeling as the 2006-2007 run.

It seems uncanny, but I have a few more similarities in addition to the ones I suggested in December.

Sweep of the Gophers
During the 2006-2007 run, the Sioux swept the Gophers at Mariucci Arena by scoring 12 goals during the series. Sound familiar? The Sioux swept the Gophers last weekend scoring 12 series goals.

Battle with Bemidji
During 2006-2007 run, the Sioux had to battle in order to sweep the home and home series against Bemidji. The same was true this season.

Three-Point Series
During the 2006-2007 run, Alaska Anchorage visited the Ralph for a series with the Sioux, one the Sioux were expected to sweep. The Sioux ended up with three points; a tie Friday night 3-3 and a shut-out Saturday night. Sound familiar.... [The Sioux tied Michigan Tech, 3-3 last Friday, and won in a shut-out on Saturday (5 - 0).]

Next Weekend's Denver Series
Although there are similarities to both runs, next weekend is a series where I hope the two runs will differ. In 2006-2007 the Sioux split the late-season series with Denver. This season, I hope the result is the same as last year, instead - a sweep of Denver.

Let's Go Sioux!!!

Tonight's "Hockey on Campus" Radio Line-up (7 - 9 p.m. ET)

Bernie Corbett and Paul McNamara circulated their weekly email outlining the line-up for tonight's Hockey on Campus radio broadcast (also being streamed live over the internet, see link below). Below is their email:

HOCKEY ON CAMPUS for Wednesday January 14, 2009

Hockey On Campus will be on the air this evening from 7 to 9 pm (eastern time) on Boston’s ESPN affiliate 890-AM ESPN Boston, broadcasting LIVE once again from our new “home away from home,” Bickford’s Grille in Burlington, Massachusetts.

We also will stream live online at www.890ESPN.com.

Scheduled in the first hour tonight are:

From the NCAA, Coordinator of Officials FRANK COLE

From Hockey East, UMass Lowell Goaltender CARTER HUTTON

From the Atlantic Hockey Association, Mercyhurst Forward PHIL GINAND

From the Eastern Junior Hockey League, Publicity Director MIKE KLEIN

And from 8 – 9 pm we are scheduled to speak with:

From ECAC Division 1, Union Forward JASON WALTERS

From the ECAC Northeast, Curry Men’s Coach ROB DAVIES

And a possible Hobey Baker watch update with ELLIOT OLSHANSKY

Phone calls are welcomed at 617-242-3776 (617-242-E-S-P-N)

Hockey On Campus - Tonight

The following is a message from Bernie and Paul on tonight's show:

HOCKEY ON CAMPUS returns to Airwaves

After a 2 week Christmas Break, the 2-hour weekly college hockey radio program Hockey On Campus returns to the air this evening from 7 to 9 pm (eastern time) on Boston’s ESPN affiliate 890-AM ESPN Boston.

(We are hoping to also be streamed live online as well tonight at www.890ESPN.com. Our first two programs of the season did not make it online due to some technical issues, but we have been assured those have been resolved and we WILL be available at that web address for the rest of the year.)

Once again our show will be “on the road” coming to you live from Bickford’s Grille in Burlington, Massachusetts.

Tonight’s Line up features guests from a number of leagues in college hockey.

Scheduled in the first hour are:

From Atlantic Hockey, Army Coach BRIAN RILEY

From Hockey East, Vermont Men’s Coach KEVIN SNEDDON

From the Eastern Junior Hockey League, Publicity Director MIKE KLEIN

And from 8 – 9 pm we are scheduled to speak with:

From ECAC Division 1, Quinnipiac Forward BRYAN LEITCH

From NESCAC, Middlebury Men’s Coach BILL BEANEY

Hobey Baker watch update with ELLIOT OLSHANSKY

Phone calls are welcomed at 617-242-3776 (617-242-E-S-P-N)

RECAP: Overtime - The order of the night

For me, last night was one of the best and exciting nights for watching sports in a long time. I’m sure like me, many of you were watching multiple games at once, not knowing where to focus. I was watching the following games at the same time, using multiple TVs and computers: the Sioux vs. Bemidji State, the Denver Cup Championship game, the Dodge Holiday Classic Championship game, the World Jrs. semi-final and San Diego vs. Indy. What did they have in common? All of the games went into overtime other than the Denver Cup. What a night!


SIOUX 4 Bemidji State 3 – OT

Truthfully, I am not sure what to make of this weekend. It was a great series and the Sioux took both games. But it feels like the Sioux should have easily taken care of business and they did not. Bemidji came to play and if it were not for the Sioux power play (i.e. both game winning goals were off the power play), the outcome of this weekend could have been different. Hopefully, this past weekend can jump start the Sioux for next weekend’s series against the Gophers.


BU Denver Cup Champion - BU 4 DU 1

BU took care of business against Denver. Taking nothing away from BU, Denver did not come to play and it showed. Other than the third period when BU decided to protect the lead, BU completely dominated Denver. BU’s effort did not include the services of Colin Wilson and Kevin Shattenkirk, who are part of the USA World Junior team.

I had two favorite plays during the night, first Yip's goal off the face off. In a blink of the eye, Bonino won the face off which went directly back to Yip. Yip in one motion shot the puck at the net and scored. The second play was BU’s power play goal. BU passed the puck in the attack zone like a pinball machine and scored. Denver had no chance on defending this power play.

Minnesota – Dodge Holiday Classic Champion – UM 3 NU 2 - OT

This was a great game, two good goalies battling it out for 60 minutes. In overtime, Thiessen was called for a delay of game when he tried to clear the puck off the glass and it went out of play. Minnesota then scored, in overtime, on the power play to win the tournament.

Northeastern surprised me on how well they played. Although a tough loss, this is a game they can build from as they start the second half of the season.

On a side note it was nice to see Don Lucia come out after the game and congratulate John Hill and the team on the win. Hope all is well with Lucia.


Canada 6 Russia 5 in a shootout.

All I can say is - what a game. Canada tied the game with 5.4 seconds left on the clock. The Canadians down 4-3 pulled their goalie to add the extra attacker. Russia took a long shot at the empty net and missed the net, icing was called. With less than 10 seconds on the clock the face off went back into the Russian end. Canada took advantage of this with a last-ditch effort, sending the game into OT. With no scoring in the over-time period, the game went to a shoot-out where Canada beat Russia to move to the gold medal round.

San Diego 23 INDY 17 - OT

This was a fun game to watch. Personally I didn’t care who won. I just wanted to see a good game and San Diego won in OT sending them to the next round.

Games to watch tonight - Hockey East vs. WCHA

Tonight, we will see two key games that "pin" a Hockey East team against a WCHA team.

First the Denver Cup. Boston University will play Denver University. This will be a good test for both teams. If Jack Parker is true to form, he will continue to rotate his goalies and Millian should be in net for BU (since Rollheiser played last night).

My prediction - BU wins in a close game 4-3. The absence of Wilson and Shattenkirk will hurt BU, but they should still have enough "fire power" to win.

The second game is Northeastern vs. Minnesota in the Dodge Holiday Classic. This game will be won or lost based on the play of each team's goalie. In other words, it will be the Thiessen (NU) vs. Kangus (MU) show. He who plays the best....... wins.

My prediction - Minnesota edges out Northeastern 5-3.

On a side note, Boston College lost to New Brunswick last night 5-3. Although only an exhibition game, it is not a good start for BC. York could not have been happy. I hate to see what BC does to New Brunswick tonight.

RECAP: BU 6 RPI 2

BU takes care of business tonight and beats RPI, 6-2. BU held RPI to 15 shots on net. Tonight's win over RPI puts BU into the championship game of the Denver Cup. BU will play the winner of Denver vs. Holy Cross.

Since BU won, the Denver Cup championship game will be televised in Boston on CN8 tomorrow night.

RECAP: Slovakia 5 USA 3

USA was downed by Slovakia, 5-3. There was just one problem for the US tonight, it was Jaroslav Janus, goalie for Slovakia. He was just phenomenal. He stopped 44 shots tonight with multiple game saving goals.