ECAC Hockey Video of the Week: Harvard Hockey 24/7

These three episodes chronicle Harvard Hockey's "Road to Frozen Fenway." I really liked watching all three episodes. It's really interesting to get a glimpse of what the life of a college hockey player looks like. I wonder if all of the teams in the ECAC are similar or very different. I'd be interested to see something similar to these videos from another team in the league.

What do you think? Which episode was your favorite? Do you have a favorite scene?


Episode 1


Episode 2


Episode 3

ECAC Hockey in the National Polls (Week 15)

Union after a weekend sweep of the North Country, and Cornell getting swept by Colgate, the Dutchmen have jumped to the top of the standings and polls

USCHO
Union: up 3 spots to #11 (tied with Colorado College)

Cornell: down 5 spots to #14
Colgate: goes from unranked with 43 votes to #20 (87 votes)
Quinnipiac: received 5 votes after receiving 24 votes last week
Harvard:  received 4 votes after receiving 8 votes last week

USA Today/ USA Hockey Magazine

Union: up 1 spot to #12
Cornell: down 8 spots to #14
Colgate: received 7 votes after receiving 0 votes last week

Inside College Hockey Power Rankings
Union: up 3 spots to #4
Cornell: down 5 spots to #10
Colgate: goes from unranked to #19
Quinnipiac: drops out after being #20 for two consecutive weeks, now on the bubble
Harvard: on the bubble

PairWise Rankings
Union: tied for 14th
Cornell: tied for 18th
Colgate: 22nd
Quinnipiac: tied for 23rd
Harvard: tied for 28th

Three Stars (Week 15)

Alex Killorn

First Star: Alex Killorn (Harvard)

The Crimson had a very good weekend at the Bright Hockey Center, and the senior assistant captain had a lot to do with it. On Friday, Harvard topped rival Yale 4-3, and then followed that up with a 3-1 win over Brown. Both wins were huge for the Crimson, who are looking to secure a first round bye in the ECAC playoffs. In each game, Killorn scored the game-winning goal. He potted the game-winner over the Bulldogs with 1:19 left in regulation, and added another goal 55 seconds into the second period to tie the game at two. The next night, Killorn once again gave his team the lead for good when he scored with  7:42 left in the game before Danny Biega sealed it with an empty netter later in the period. He has scored eight goals in his past 10 games. All great teams have great senior leaders that lead on the ice and can put the team on their back when needed... it's pretty safe to say that Harvard has that guy in Killorn. He is the only Crimson player with double-digit goals (14) and leads the team with 26 points.

Austin Smith

Second Star (tied): Austin Smith (Colgate) & Chris Wagner (Colgate)

Where would the Raiders be without Smith and Wagner? These two studs have single-handedly carried their team on their backs this season. They have accumulated 75 points between the two of them, while the rest of the roster has totalled 138 points, and have scored 36 of Colgate's 81 goals.

The Raider were winless in their last six contests coming into this weekend's home-and-home with #6/#9 Cornell, the top team in the league. While Smith and Wagner were still producing during this span (Smith - 5 goals, 7 points; Wagner - 2 goals, 8 points), they knew they had to step up this weekend if they wanted to salvage any points against the Big Red. And they did...

Chris Wagner

In Friday's 2-1 win at a hostile Lynah Rink, Wagner gave the Raiders an early 1-0 lead with a shorthanded goal, which was assisted by Smith. The next night at Starr Rink, Smith tied the game at one midway through the first period with Wagner getting the primary assist on the play. Then with the Raiders down 3-2 in the third period, Smith scored his nation-leading sixth shorthanded goal on another primary assist from Wagner. The Raiders received their first lead of the game with 5:06 remaining in regulation with Wagner once again got the primary assist, but this time on Robbie Bourdon's power-play goal. Colgate completed the stunning sweep with a 5-3 victory. So, if you're keeping track at home, Smith had two goals and assist over the weekend, while Wagner added a goal and three assists.

Smith has been getting a lot of press this season, which is well deserved. He currently leads the nation with 26 goals and 41 points in 26 games, and has only gone pointless in two of Colgate's games. While Smith has been the most potent player in the ECAC, Wagner has been excellent as well, but he hasn't received as much press. In his past 12 games he has accumulated 21 points, and has only gone pointless in one of those games. I think people should start giving the sophomore some more love. 

Troy Grosenick

Third Star: Troy Grosenick (Union)

It was another good weekend for the nation's leader in goals-against average (1.58). On Friday he made 30 saves in Union's 5-2 win over Clarkson, and then made 26 saves in the 6-0 shutout of St. Lawrence. The shutout was his fourth of the season. Grosenick is also second in the nation in save percentage (.940), but the leader in SV%, Chris Noonan of Niagara, has only played 15 games while Grosenick has played in 23. If the sophomore can keep up this pace and the Dutchmen make a run into the ECAC playoffs and national tournament, he can be a legitimate contender for the Hobey Baker Award.

Honorable Mention:

Tyler Sikura (Dartmouth): 1g, 1a; 1g

Patrick Cullen (RPI): 1g, 2a; 1a

Nick Tremblay (Clarkson): 1g; 1g

Kyle Bodie (Union): 1g, 2a; 1a

Wayne Simpson (Union): 1g; 3a

Matt Hatch (Union): 2g, 1a

Joe WIlson (Colgate): 1g; 1g, 2a

Eric Mihalik (Colgate): 17 saves (1GA); 22 saves (3GA)

Kenny Agostino (Yale): 1a; 2g

Steve Michalek (Harvard): 36 saves (3GA); 24 saves (1GA)

Sunday Scoreboard (Week 16)

Paul Karpowich broke the record for most saves by a Clarkson goaltender on Saturday night at RPI

Friday, January 27

Brown 2 - Dartmouth 6

Recap

St. Lawrence 0 - RPI 4
Recap

Clarkson 2 - Union 5

Recap

Colgate 2 - Cornell 1
Recap

Yale 3 - Harvard 4
Recap

Saturday, January 28

St. Lawrence 0 - Union 6

Recap

Cornell 3 - Colgate 5

Recap

Clarkson 3 - RPI 2
Recap

Yale 5 - Dartmouth 4

Recap

Brown 1 - Harvard 3

Recap

ECAC Hockey Full Access Schedule (Week 15)

While the Harvard-Yale rivalry might be a bigger deal than the Harvard-Brown rivalry, the Crimson-Bears rivalry goes back farther (114 years). The Bulldogs and Bears travel to the Bright Hockey Center this weekend. (via College Hockey Inc.)

Previews: Brown, Clarkson, Colgate, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard,
Princeton, Quinnipiac, RPI, St. Lawrence, Union, Yale

Friday, January 27

Brown at Dartmouth - 7pm

@Dartmouth_MIH
@BrownMensHockey

St. Lawrence at RPI - 7pm
@without_a_peer
@rpihockeydotnet
@kgbeattie
@DanielJ_WDT

Clarkson at Union - 7pm

@UnionHockey

@slapschotts
@UnionHockeyBlog
@CapCarey_WDT

Colgate at Cornell - 7:30pm
@GoGateHockey

@ELynah

Yale at Harvard - 7:30pm
@WHRBSports

Saturday, January 28

St. Lawrence at Union - 7pm

@UnionHockey

@slapschotts
@UnionHockeyBlog
@DanielJ_WDT

Cornell at Colgate - 7pm

@GoGateHockey

@ELynah

Clarkson at RPI - 7pm
@without_a_peer
@rpihockeydotnet
@kgbeattie
@CapCarey_WDT

Yale at Dartmouth - 7pm

@Dartmouth_MIH

Brown at Harvard - 7pm

@WHRBSports

@BrownMensHockey

Rink Review: Brown's Meehan Auditorium

Next up on Rink Review is the Meehan Auditorium, the home of the Brown Bears. This review is based off my only visit to Meehan, which is celebrating its' 50th anniversary.

Here is what Wikipedia says about the Auditorium:

The George V. Meehan Auditorium is a 3,059-seat hockey arena, in Providence, Rhode Island. The arena opened in 1961 and was dedicated on January 6, 1962. On September 28, 1964, at the same time that he was campaigning to stay in office, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed the bicentennial convocation of Brown University at Meehan, in favor of educational opportunity, freedom of conscience and the proposed National Endowment for the Humanities. It is named for George V. Meehan, the benefactor of the arena, which he hoped would "service and promote" the Brown Bears ice hockey program, which now belongs to the Ivy and ECAC Hockey leagues.

In 1965, Meehan Auditorium hosted the Frozen Four ice hockey semi-finals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It is recognizable for its large white domed roof, and is located on the highest corner (Hope Street and Lloyd Avenue) of Brown's main athletic complex on College Hill in Providence. It was renovated in 2002, bringing its capacity up to its current level.

You can learn more about the arena on the Brown Athletics Website.

Here's my evaluation:

Atmosphere:
So far, Meehan had the worst atmosphere of any rink I've been to in the league. There crowd was empty enough where I probably could have counted how many people there were in the building easily. While school was not in session while I was there, I have been told that not many students attend most games. Also, according to College Hockey News, Brown has drawn the least average attendance of any team in the ECAC this season.

Sometimes during the game it didn't even feel like I was at a college hockey game. It reminded me of watching my little brother's travel games where just the parents are in the stands. Having music in between whistles almost felt weird.

Tradition:

I never really thought of Brown having much of a hockey tradition, which is probably due to the fact that they don't have a big following and haven't been overly successful (only two 20 win seasons in program history). But after walking around the rink, I learned that Brown has a long hockey tradition. The university first had a hockey team for the 1897-98 season and lasted through the 1906-06 season before a 20 year break. There are pictures of all the Brown hockey teams in a gallery above the visitors net and there is a Hall of Fame gallery behind the home team's net. There are also very nice Brown and White banners honoring championships and tournament appearances of both the men's and women's teams. I also spotted a trophy case to the left of the main entrance with some very old trophies in it. There were also plaques commemorating Brown players that have earned All-American, All-League, etc. honors. I really liked how the rink also slightly doubled as a Brown Hockey museum.

Functionality and Amenities:
The concourses were of decent size, and most importantly, they went completely around the rink. I also like how the concourses behind the nets were above the goals and acted as a ledge to watch the game. At the game I attended, many people lined the railings to watch the game from that perspective. There was also a nice lounge above the concourse looking over the home team's goal for the Brown Hockey Association. The food was very basic. But, none of this really matters since there aren't many people at the games.

One thing I didn't like was how the food stands were on one side, and the bathrooms were on the other. Little things like that are just annoying. They should be spread out equally.

Aerial view of the Meehan Auditorium

Other Thoughts:
One of the first things I noticed once I entered the building was that it was absolutely freezing! It has to be the coldest rink in the league.

I think the roof of the auditorium is cool. It really makes the place feel like an "auditorium," and I think it helped with the acoustics of the building.

Meehan also has a good press box. While it's hard to walk in, it's very long and two-tiered so there's plenty of seats. And they have the best cookies in the league!

Oh, and there's a huge nine-foot stuffed bear in a display case when you walk into the rink. It's awesome!

Here are some pictures I took:

The roof

Center ice logo commemorating the 50th Anniversary

Plaques dedicated to All-American, All-League, etc. players

Maybe Brown should bring back these sweaters

View from the concourse by the away team's goal

The upper seats were red and yellow

The lower seats are brown

View from the concourse behind the home goal

View of the center ice logo from the press box

The men's banners are in brown, while the women's are in white

ECAC Hockey Tweets of the Week (1/18/12 - 1/24/12)

Joel Lowry

PatrickRales Patrick Raley (SLU) 

Obamas policy proposals are like trying to come back in the third period down by 5 goals #tolittletolate #pullthegoalie @Buccigross

24 Jan

lowse_17 Joel lowry (Cornell) 

Someone put that thing on a leash #rattail #seriouslybuddyyfrog.com/oc2mmbrgj

24 Jan

thegronk5 Luke Curadi (RPI) 

#AsAKid i thought even guys in the NHL had their parents tie their skates. #goodoledays

24 Jan

thegronk5 Luke Curadi (RPI) 

When are they gonna make an iPhone for people with big hands? I could use an iPad as a phone I guess? #meatproblems

23 Jan

Pattby19 Paddy Cullen (RPI) 
First day of classes for second semester senior year. On the road to getting that piece of paper and making my parents proud.

23 Jan

jakelaliberte15 Jacob Laliberte (RPI) 
Ravens kicker will be in the CFL next season #lacesout #gopats

22 Jan

TheBearShirt Ryan Grimshaw (Harvard) 
Another road trip, another outback steakhouse. Why do they wax their floors so much? Im resting for tomorrow not trying to skate to my table

19 Jan 

Ryan Jacobson

rjakes12 Ryan Jacobson (Brown) 
Every time I go on Brown Hockey website I vote for @jack_makoidfor the Hobey. And next year I'll be voting for @MattLori #Lineys #FTB #Vote

19 Jan

TheBearShirt Ryan Grimshaw (Harvard) 
Heading to Colgate, Cornell for the weekend. Central, NY: where a fly over county is only a back road away. #flyovercountys

19 Jan

Haggerty39 Ryan Haggerty (RPI) 
My best friend @B_Merr_3032 is a pretty good goalie. I would be lying to you if I said he was not hot this weekend.

21 Jan

A_Iles33 Andy Iles (Cornell) 
Let it rain with fish. Big red crimson tonight at 7. #hockeysfun

21 Jan 

A_Iles33 Andy Iles (Cornell) 
Seven weeks has never felt so long. Can't wait to get back out on the home ice tomorrow. Greatest place to play. #lynahfaithful

19 Jan

K_Mills10 Kevin Mills (Princeton) 
@akesselman11 Athlete of the Week? That's only from 2 periods. Imagine what the kid would have done with 6 #swagoftheweek

18 Jan

Condibear1 Mike Condon (Princeton) 
Love going to uscho.com and seeing myself getting scored on, on the front page. #thankyou!

18 Jan

Kevin Mills

2lidgett2quit John Lidgett (Colgate) 
Closing up shop on my college career due to the fact that wikipedia decided to take away all my resources #seeyalaterschool

18 Jan

MarkArmstrong95 Mark Armstrong (SLU)*

@wrfreddy guess you dont remember my office is in the corner Hope you like the lights in cheel you'll be on your back looking up at them sat

17 Jan 

wrfreddy Will Frederick (Clarkson)* 
@MarkArmstrong95 I guess I'll have to wait until Saturday to make a new pic. Maybe one with you... If you ever went in the corners.
17 Jan

* missed late last week