Puck University

Big weekend in the college hockey world as the six conferences get set to crown a champion.  I review Thursday night's action in the Big Ten, preview the conference semifinals and finals for all the conferences, talk about the ten Hobey Baker finalists and give you who I think will be the field come the NCAA Tournament selection. Our guest this week is USCHO's Candace Horgan, editor and women's hockey expert.  She comes on to preview a familiar Women's Frozen Four, with all four of the same teams as last year.  Despite that, we talk about how the women's field is starting to grow, if not necessarily into national championship contenders.  Candace also gives us some insight into the breaking story between the United States Women's National Team and USA Hockey.  The boycott announced on Wednesday isn't sudden and it isn't just about money, though the money is an issue as well.  Would you be part of a four year committment for only six months of pay?  Back on happier topics, we also discuss the Patty Kazmaier A

This week on Puck University, we take a closer look at a number of teams whose seasons are on the line this weekend.  While some “bubble” teams could lose this weekend and be safe, the ones Dave Dondoneau and I look at have to advance to even get an at-large bid.  In doing so, both of us mention a few teams who just so happen to be playing their best hockey at the right time, as well as one team that needs an immediate turnaround. We also look at a few potential party-crashers; teams that are good enough to win their conference even if they haven’t earned consideration for an at-large NCAA bid.  A couple of teams featured had high hopes coming into the season and seem to be hitting their stride at the right moment, could they have real sleeper potential? After Dave and I preview ASN’s featured Northeastern at Boston University game on Saturday night, I sit down with Northeastern Associate Head Coach Jerry Keefe to discuss the Huskies’ season, as well as their rise from Hockey East afterthoughts to conferenc

It's the beginning of conference playoff season around the country, as four of the six college hockey conferences begin their postseasons.  Brendan Jones of College Hockey Now, and American Sports Network writer Dave Dondoneau join me this week to break down the playoffs in Hockey East and the ECAC, as well as the end of the regular season for the Big Ten and NCHC conferences. We then preview ASN's featured game on Saturday night:  Wisconsin at Penn State.  Both teams have made gigantic strides this year, with Penn State reaching a new level for their program while Wisconsin makes their way back to prominence.  Dave and Brendan break down what should be a particularly entertaining game and series at Pegula Ice Arena. From there we start to look at the potential NCAA tournament picture.  There are up to ten teams sitting on what you might call the "bubble" right now, and we discuss which teams must win their conference to get in and which ones just need to keep on the path they're on.  The case of North Dako

With the college hockey regular season winding down, last night's action set up a frantic finish in both Hockey East and the NCHC conferences.  Now the Hockey East regular season title is up for grabs between four different teams, and Denver and Minnesota-Duluth will battle to the end for the NCHC crown.  That's before we get into all the playoff seeding possibilities.   On this first episode of Puck University I was able to sit down with Minnesota standout Sarah Potomik, last year's women's Frozen Four MOP.  The sophomore is also a member of the Canadian national team, along with her younger sister Amy.  We talk about wide open ice, the difference between national hockey and college hockey, Minnesota's growing rivlary with Wisconsin, and how the Gophers will be preparing for a tough conference tournament. Later, I sit down and talk to Michigan seniors Max Shuart and Nolan DeJong.  The defending Big Ten champions are taking on Ohio State this weekend.  Seems like a good time to ask about that rivalry, the B