Montreal Takes Back Series Lead Over Tampa Bay

Lane Hutson (Boston University) scored on a slapshot just over two minutes into overtime Friday night to give the host Montreal Canadiens a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Montreal now leads the best-of-seven series, two games to one.

Jakub Dobes (Ohio State) made 15 saves in net for the Canadiens, who are seeking their first NHL playoff series win since 2021. Jake Guentzel (Omaha) assisted on Tampa Bay's first goal of the night. All three games of this series so far have been decided in OT.

Game Four is scheduled for Sunday night in Montreal. 

Abbotsford Wins First-Ever AHL Calder Cup

The Abbotsford Canucks are the 2024-25 champions of the American Hockey League.

The Canucks rebounded from a 2-0 first-period deficit tonight to score three unanswered goals and win the decisive Game Six of the 2025 Calder Cup Final by a 3-2 count at Charlotte. Abbotsford thus won the best-of-seven series, four games to two. It is the first overall league championship for Abbotsford, primary affiliate of the NHL's Vancouver Canucks, who had previously earned this year's AHL Western Conference title.

John Leonard (Massachusetts) and Jack Devine (Denver) scored early for the Eastern Conference champion Checkers, who were seeking their first Calder Cup crown since 2019. Christian Wolanin (North Dakota) assisted on Abbottsford's first goal late in the opening session, before the Canucks connected twice in the second stanza to close out the scoring and claim the championship, despite being outshot, 30-20, on the evening.

Joining Wolanin as former NCAA skaters who lifted the Calder Cup with the Canucks this season were Phil Di Giuseppe (Michigan), Ty Glover (Western Michigan), Akito Hirose (Minnesota State), Jujhar Khaira (Michigan Tech), Victor Mancini (Omaha), Cole McWard (Ohio State), Ty Mueller (Omaha), Max Sasson (Western Michigan) and Nathan Smith (Minnesota State). 

Canucks Take Two-Game Lead in AHL Final

Kyle Criscuolo (Harvard) and Jack Devine (Denver) tallied third-period goals to bring the visiting Charlotte Checkers within one, but the Abbotsford Canucks held on for a 3-2 victory in Game Four of the 2025 Calder Cup Final. The Canucks now lead the best-of-seven series, three games to one.

Ty Mueller (Omaha) notched two assists for Abbotsford, including one on the game-winning goal. Christian Wolanin (North Dakota) also had an assist for the Canucks, while Devine and Eamon Powell (Boston College) set up goals for Charlotte.

Abbotsford can wrap up its first-ever AHL championship with a win in Game Five at home on Saturday night (9 p.m. ET, NHL Network).

ADDENDUM: Charlotte rebounded for a 4-3 win in overtime in Game Five to stay alive, while also cutting Abbotsford's series lead to three games to two. Game Six is Monday night in North Carolina (8 p.m. ET, NHL Network).

Trois-Rivières 2025 ECHL Champions

Exactly one week ago, the Trois-Rivières Lions finished their 2024-25 season with a title.

The Lions, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens, completed a five-game triumph over the Toledo Walleye to earn their first-ever Kelly Cup as ECHL playoff kings with a 4-1 victory at home at the Colisée Vidéotron on June 7. Chris Jandric (North Dakota) tallied the game-winning goal in the deciding contest.

Trois-Rivières rebounded with four straight wins in the final, after Toledo took the opener in Ohio. The Lions, who began play in 2021-22, are the second Canadian team in league history to win the ECHL playoff title, following the now-defunct Newfoundland Growlers, who did the same in 2019.

Besides Jandric, who also played for Alaska Fairbanks in his college career, other former NCAA players on this year's Lions' playoff squad included Jakov Novak (Northeastern), Cory Thomas (Canisius) and Kirby Proctor (Omaha).

Toronto Tops Florida in Series Opener

Matthew Knies (Minnesota) scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal with six minutes remaining in regulation, and Joseph Woll (Boston College) made 17 saves in relief to earn the win in the host Toronto Maple Leafs' 5-4 victory over the defending NHL champion Florida Panthers last night. The Leafs now lead the best-of-seven second-round Stanley Cup Playoff series, one game to none.

Woll came in midway through the contest after starter Anthony Stolarz (Omaha), who had played every minute of the playoffs so far for the Maple Leafs, left with an injury and possible concussion after stopping eight of nine Florida shots. His return for Game Two in Toronto is questionable.

Max Pacioretty (Michigan) assisted on two goals as the Leafs took a 4-1 lead halfway through regulation. Nate Schmidt (Minnesota) assisted on Florida's third goal, which pulled the Panthers to within 4-3 at the time, before Knies, who also registered an assist on the night, finished off a partial breakaway less than 10 minutes later. 

Shots on goal were 29-29 overall, while Florida went 1-for-3 on the power play and Toronto finished 0-for-5. The Maple Leafs won the faceoff battle (36-24), and also blocked more shots (24-11).

Devils Done After 5-4 Double OT Loss

The New Jersey Devils 2024-25 campaign came to end with a 5-4 loss in double overtime at Carolina on Tuesday night. The Hurricanes win the first-round Stanley Cup playoff series, four games to one, becoming the first NHL team to end a playoff series this spring.

Shayne Gostisbehere (Union) assisted on both the tying and winning goals for Carolina, which fought back from 3-0 and 4-3 deficits to oust New Jersey for the fifth time in the postseason since 2002. Jackson Blake (North Dakota) also scored for the Hurricanes, assisted by Mark Jankowski (Providence). Paul Cotter (Western Michigan) assisted on New Jersey's final goal, while Seamus Casey (Michigan) made his NHL playoff debut for the Devils with two blocks and one hit.

Also in the Eastern Conference, Ottawa stayed alive and forced a Game Six by blanking host Toronto, 4-0. Brady Tkachuk (Boston University) notched a goal and two assists for the Senators, while Anthony Stolarz (Omaha) took the loss for the Maple Leafs on 15 saves.

In the Western Conference, Vegas took a three games-to-two lead over visiting Minnesota with a 3-2 OT victory, as Jack Eichel (Boston University) assisted on two goals for the victorious Golden Knights. Matt Boldy (Boston College) scored his fifth goal of the series for the Wild in defeat.

Also out west, Edmonton won its third straight game, this time at Los Angeles, in collecting a 3-1 victory over the host Kings to take a three to two series lead. Zach Hyman (Michigan) led the Oilers with six shots on goal.

NCAA Players Step Up in 2025 NHL Playoffs

Three more Stanley Cup Playoff series were extended on Saturday, with contributions from several former NCAA players.

Vegas topped Minnesota, 4-3 in overtime on the road, knotting that best-of-seven series at two wins apiece, as Reilly Smith (Miami) assisted on the game-winning goal. Jack Eichel (Boston University) assisted on the game-opening goal for the victorious Golden Knights. 

In Colorado, the host Avalanche tied their series at two games each with a 4-0 blanking of Dallas as Brock Nelson (North Dakota) set up two goals for the home team. Devon Toews (Quinnipiac) also had an assist for the Avs, while Jake Oettinger (Boston University) stopped 31 of 34 shots for the visiting Stars before giving way to Casey DeSmith (New Hampshire), who stopped 13 of 14 shots. 

Host Ottawa staved off elimination with a 4-3 OT win over Toronto, which had won the first three games of the series. Jake Sanderson (North Dakota) scored the game-winner from long distance in the extra session, and also assisted on the Senators' first goal, as did team captain Brady Tkachuk (Boston University). Shane Pinto (North Dakota) scored a shorthanded goal for the Sens, while Adam Gaudette (Northeastern) assisted on Ottawa's third goal. Matthew Knies (Minnesota) scored Toronto's second goal, while Anthony Stolarz (Omaha) finished with 17 stops in goal for the Maple Leafs.

Tampa Bay topped defending NHL champion Florida, 5-1, on Saturday in Game Three of their series, thanks to a goal and two assists from Jake Guentzel (Omaha), while Luke Glendening (Michigan) also scored for the Lightning. The host Panthers, who got an assist from Evan Rodrigues (Boston University) still leads the series, two games to one.

NCAA Alumni Boost Habs to Playoff Win

The Montreal Canadiens clawed their way back into their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series tonight, thanks to contributions from several former NCAA skaters.

Cole Caufield (Wisconsin) and Alex Newhook (Boston College) each tallied a goal and an assist, and rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes (Ohio State) stopped seven of eight shots in 20 minutes of relief to pick up the win in Montreal's 6-3 victory tonight over the visiting Washington Capitals. The Canadiens now trail the best-of-seven NHL postseason series, two games to one. 

Jake Evans (Notre Dame), Lane Hutson (Boston University) and Mike Matheson (Boston College) also recorded assists, as the Habs won their first postseason contest since the 2020 Stanley Cup Final against Tampa Bay. Game Four against Washington is slated for Sunday at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

ADDENDUM: New Jersey also rebounded in its series against visiting Carolina, winning 3-2 in overtime on Friday to close within two games to one as defenseman Brian Dumoulin (Boston College) recorded 36-plus minutes of ice time for the victors. Edmonton did likewise in Game Three of its series Friday with visiting Los Angeles, winning by a 7-4 count as Zach Hyman (Michigan) notched two assists to help make it a two to one series. 

U.S. To Face Canada for Four Nations Crown

The first-ever Four Nations Face-Off final is set. It will be the United States against Canada at TD Garden in Boston on Thursday night (8 p.m. ET, TNT).

The final matchup was set when Canada held on to defeat Finland, 5-3, this afternoon before Sweden edged the U.S., 2-1, this evening, both in Boston. Chris Kreider (Boston College) scored the lone goal for the Americans, while Jake Oettinger (Boston University) finished with 21 saves for Team USA. Gustav Nyquist (Maine) notched Sweden's first goal.

Thursday will be a rematch of Saturday's 3-1 U.S. win in Montreal. Jake Guentzel (Omaha) scored twice for the Team USA, while Dylan Larkin (Michigan) scored one goal and set up another, and Connor Hellbuyck (UMass Lowell) made 25 stops in net. Sweden took third place overall by virtue of today's regulation win over the Americans, while Finland finished fourth with one overtime win and two regulation losses.

BC's Wood, Kreider Come up Big in Playoffs

Miles Wood (Boston College) connected on a backhander just over 11 minutes into overtime, and the visiting Colorado Avalanche came all the way back from a three-goal first period deficit to top the Dallas Stars, 4-3, in the opener of their Western Conference semifinal series on Tuesday nigh. 

Cale Makar (UMass) had a goal and two assists for Colorado, which leads the best-of-seven series, one game to none. Andrew Cogliano (Michigan) assisted on Woods' goal, while Ryan Suter (Wisconsin) scored the first goal of the game for Dallas, which squandered a 3-0 lead.

In Manhattan, Chris Kreider (Boston College) tied the game with a power play goal in the third period, and the New York Rangers went on to 4-3 double OT victory over the visiting Carolina Hurricanes. The Rangers, who remain undefeated in the 2024 postseason through six games, now lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series, one game to none. Jake Guentzel (Omaha) scored twice for Carolina, while K'Andre Miller (Wisconsin) and Adam Fox (Harvard) posted assists for New York. 

The Stanley Cup Playoffs resume tonight with Boston at Florida in the Eastern Conference, with Boston leading that series one game to none, and Vancouver beginning its Western Conference series with Edmonton.

Day 1 of 2024 NCAA Regionals Done

The first day of the 2024 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey championship is complete.

In Springfield, Mass., Tristan Broz scored the game-winning goal midway through the second overtime period and Matt Davis made a total of 46 saves as Denver edged a stubborn host UMass squad, 2-1. In the nightcap at the MassMutual Center, Sullivan Mack tallied twice and Ian Shane stopped 31 shots in all as Cornell ousted Maine, 3-1. Denver will now face off with Cornell in the regional final on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN 2) for the opportunity to go to this year's Frozen Four.

In Sioux Falls, S.D., Boston University took its first step towards making the Frozen Four for the second straight season by besting RIT, 6-3, thanks to two assists apiece from Tom Willander, Devin Kaplan and Nick Zabaneh. The second game at the Denny Sanford Premier Center saw Jaxon Nelson notch back-to-back goals in the third period to lift Minnesota to a 3-2 decision over Omaha. BU will take on Minnesota on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU), in a rematch of a national semifinal from a year ago.

The Providence and Maryland Heights regionals begin play today.

Paul Jerrard 1965-2023

University of Nebraska-Omaha assistant coach Paul Jerrard passed away earlier this week after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 57.

The Winnipeg native played on defense for Lake Superior State University from 1983 to 1987, notching 40 goals and 73 assists for 113 points to go with 199 penalty minutes for the Lakers over four seasons, before embarking on a 10-year professional career that included five NHL appearances, all with the Minnesota North Stars during the 1988-89 campaign.

Drafted 173rd overall by the New York Rangers in 1983 after starring for the Notre Dame (Sask.) Hounds, the 6-foot-1 Jerrard played in the now-defunct International Hockey League with Colorado/Denver, Kalamazoo, Albany, Milwaukee and Fort Wayne, totaling 73-139—212 points and 1,144 PIM in 503 IHL regular-season contests over eight years. He finished his playing career by skating two seasons with Hershey (AHL), helping the Bears to the 1997 Calder Cup championship.

Jerrard immediately entered the coaching ranks, and spent four of his first five years at his alma mater of LSSU. He also coached with Lowell, Hershey, Iowa, Texas and Utica in the AHL, and with Colorado, Dallas and Calgary in the NHL, all as an assistant, before joining Omaha for the 2018-19 NCAA campaign.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl, and daughters Catherine and Meaghan.

NCAA Highlights for Thanskgiving 2022

 

It was quite a Thanksgiving weekend in NCAA Division I men's hockey ...

- Cornell blanked UConn, 6-0, at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday night in its semi-annual Frozen Apple game in Manhattan. Dalton Bancroft scored three goals and Ian Shane stopped all 27 shots he faced for the victorious Big Red.

- No. 9 Harvard (7-1-1 overall) became the last NCAA Division I men's team to suffer a loss this season, a 4-1 setback at No. 5 Michigan on Saturday. The two schools played to a 4-4 tie the night before in Ann Arbor.

- LIU earned its first-ever victory against a ranked opponent with a 3-2 triumph over visiting No. 12 Ohio State on Friday. Former Michigan State forward Adam Goodsir tallied the game-winning goal in the third period, although OSU rebounded for a 4-1 win the next night to salvage a split.

- Speaking of Michigan State, the No. 16 Spartans swept former CCHA foe Miami by 5-3 and 4-0 counts in Oxford, Ohio. Dylan St. Cyr stopped 69 shots on the weekend for MSU, including 39 saves in the shutout victory.

- No. 2 Minnesota and Arizona State split a series at the latter's brand-new Mullet Arena in Tempe. Minnesota won the opener, 3-2, as Logan Cooley set up one goal and then scored the game-winner for the Golden Gophers. The host Sun Devils responded the following evening with a 6-5 victory in overtime as former Boston University forward Robert Mastrosimone connected in the extra session.

- Two teams of Tigers split a non-conference series in Rochester, N.Y. RIT defeated visiting Princeton, 5-3, on Friday as Carter Wilkie scored twice and assisted on another goal for the hosts. Princeton came back the next night to record a 5-0 shutout win behind 23 saves from Ethan Pearson.

- Last but not least, defending NCAA champion Denver (10-4-0 overall) retained the top spot in the DCU/USCHO Division I Men's Poll this week, after a series split with Omaha. The visiting Mavericks won, 3-0, the first night on Jake Kucharski's 22 saves before host DU came back with a 6-3 triumph on Saturday.

NHL, NCAA and Hockey East Make Summer Moves

 

Things have certainly been changing for college hockey so far this year.

In addition to new recruiting rules and an upcoming new conference, the biggest alteration to date is that Joe Bertagna (Harvard) will be stepping down as commissioner of Hockey East after the 2019-20 season, following 23 years at the helm of one of NCAA Division I hockey's top leagues. The conference has won six NCAA men's titles under his watch, four of those by Boston College, with the most recent national crown coming from Providence in 2015. A former goaltender at Harvard, Bertagna previously worked in administration for the ECAC before taking over Hockey East.

Several former NCAA players have also been on the move in the NHL following the conclusion of the 2018-19 campaign in June, including one who played his last year of college this season. Here's a sampling of those moves, through trades or free agency:

- Phil Kessel (Minnesota) from Pittsburgh to Arizona
- Joe Pavelski (Wisconsin) from San Jose to Dallas
- Jacob Trouba (Michigan) from Winnipeg to the New York Rangers
- Jimmy Vesey (Harvard) from the New York Rangers to Buffalo
- Dakota Joshua (Ohio State) from Toronto to St. Louis
- Alex Kerfoot (Harvard) from Colorado to Toronto
- Gustav Nyquist (Maine) from San Jose to Columbus
- Anthony Stolarz (Omaha) from Edmonton to Anaheim
- Cam Talbot (Alabama-Huntsville) from Philadelphia to Calgary
- Steven Santini (Boston College) from New Jersey to Nashville

Among NHL free agents who re-signed with their original clubs, Anders Lee (Notre Dame) inked a seven-year, $49 million deal to remain as captain of the New York Islanders.

New Jersey's Stolarz Wins NHL Debut

Anthony Stolarz (Nebraska-Omaha) made 29 saves for the win in his NHL debut on Sunday, as the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the visiting Calgary Flames, 5-3.

The 6-foot-6 Stolarz, who according to NHL.com is the first New Jersey native to play in goal in an NHL contest, spent one semester at Omaha in 2012. He went 2-5-0 with one shutout in eight NCAA appearances with the Mavericks before transitioning to London (OHL), according to hockeydb.com. After recording 38 wins in 55 games over two campaigns with the Knights, Stolarz turned pro in 2014-15 with Lehigh Valley (AHL), and finished 21-18-7 in 47 games last season with a 2.60 goals-against average and .916 save percentage for the Phantoms.

A native of Edison, N.J., Stolarz was drafted by the Flyers in the second round (45th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He spent his pre-draft year with Corpus Christi (NAHL) before enrolling at Omaha, and later served as a back-up for 26 NHL contests with Philadelphia before getting the start on Sunday.

Coaching Carousel Commences

Wisconsin went back to the past in hiring its new coach, former Badgers forward Tony Granato. St. Lawrence head coach Greg Carvel has left his alma mater to join Massachusetts, and Gary Wright is stepping down at American International after 32 years at the helm.

In other NCAA hockey coaching news, Scott Sandelin has gotten a four-year extension at Minnesota-Duluth, while Nebraska-Omaha is seeking two new assistants.

Off to a Fast, Strange Start

Sacred Heart defeats UMass Lowell? Bentley beats Nebraska Omaha? Alaska Anchorage outlasts Quinnipiac? One week into the Men's NCAA Division I season and it's already crazy time, I guess.

Other surprises over the weekend included Vermont skating to a tie in its rematch with North Dakota, Providence sweeping WCHA favorite Minnesota State, and Merrimack being blanked in a sweep at Denver. And in its first game ever at the brand-new Pegula Ice Arena (shown), Penn State topped Army, 4-1, on Friday night to help inaugurate the new Big Ten Conference.

All the scores from Oct. 10 through Oct. 13 can be found here at USCHO.com.

WCHA to Absorb CCHA Teams

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association extended invitations to the remaining Central Collegiate Hockey Association schools this week, and three have already accepted - Alaska (Fairbanks), Ferris State, and Lake Superior State.

http://www.uscho.com/2011/08/26/ferris-state-the-latest-to-accept-wcha-invitation-bgsu-still-undecided/

The Nanooks, Bulldogs and Lakers will all join the "new" WCHA in 2013-14 and play against Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State, and St. Cloud State. Northern Michigan previously rejoined the WCHA earlier this summer after spending the last 15 seasons in the CCHA. Colorado College, Denver, North Dakota, Minnesota-Duluth and former CCHA member Nebraska-Omaha are all leaving the WCHA to help make up the nascent National College Hockey Conference.

Bowling Green is undecided so far about joining the WCHA, while Notre Dame and Western Michigan still seem to be weighing joining the NCHC, which also boasts current CCHA member Miami. That league will begin play two years from now, at the same time that CCHA schools Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State begin formal play in the Big Ten along with WCHA schools Minnesota and Wisconsin, and varsity newcomer Penn State.

It's still not known where current independent Alabama-Huntsville will wind up; but all these moves will definitely spell the end of the CCHA, which got its start back in 1971 with Bowling Green, Ohio, Ohio State and St. Louis. The league has crowned eight national champions since 1984, but will pass into memory after two more seasons.