Daver Karnosky 
It took five overtimes but Minnesota Duluth, which led 2-0 late in regulation, beat North Dakota, 3-2, to end the longest game in NCAA Tournament history (File photo)
In one of college hockey’s longest NCAA Tournament game of all time, Minnesota Duluth beat North Dakota, 3-2 in five overtimes, to advance the Bulldogs to their fourth straight Frozen Four. (Photo by Russell Hons)
Bemidji State captain Ethan Somoza scored twice and added an assist as the Beavers pulled the major upset, knocking off Bridgeport Region top seed, Wisconsin, 6-3 (photo: Matt Dewkett)
For Lake Superior State, a team that had never won a WCHA playoff title in its history, just getting a chance to play for one meant a lot to the Lakers.
Just 80 seconds in, LSSU jumped on Northern Michigan, getting a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the night en route to a 6-3 victory at the Verizon Center Saturday night.
Whew, we have made it to the WCHA Tournament. Four teams are left and that means two semifinal matchups full of intrigue followed by a championship contest by the two left standing after Friday’s games. Semifinals Minnesota State vs. Northern Michigan Jack: NMU is the only team still in this tournament that needs to win … Read more
Shortly after dropping his son off for hockey practice, Lake Superior State coach Damon Whitten looks out from his office window at the Taffy Abel Arena.
A collection of banners stares back at him. This is his office view every day, a reminder of the proud tradition of Lakers hockey that includes an era that stretches from 1987-96. They made the NCAA tournament eight straight times during that run, winning three national titles and finishing runner-up once.
Since the 1995-96 season, the Lakers have topped the 20-win plateau just twice, most recently in 2018-19.
It is something that weighs on Whitten, especially given the position of the banners in respect to his office.
Each week, USCHO.com will pick the top 10 moments from the past weekend in our Monday 10 feature.
Here we are, playoff time. A short time ago, it looked like we might never make it this far. Fortunately, we have, and we have a nice grouping of matchups that could be very exciting as we work through the weekend. (1) Minnesota State vs. (8) Ferris State Jack: The Mavericks have looked nearly unstoppable … Read more
The final weekend of the season is upon us, and there are still key points on the line, along with home ice for the playoffs. What a way to close out the WCHA as we know it. Michigan Tech at Minnesota State (Friday and Saturday) Jack: The Huskies rallied well after being swept by Bemidji … Read more
It is natural to assume that college hockey coaches are cordial, especially when they share the same conference.
It would also be very normal to assume that coaches in a given conference actually despise each other, given that they are often in competition for the same potential student-athlete, whether to an incoming freshman or a transfer student.
What is happening in the WCHA in its final season in its current iteration is a microcosm of what seems to be happening throughout college hockey.
Well, well, well, another mid-week series in the WCHA, and it is a doozy of a series. The Lake Superior State Lakers and the Bemidji State Beavers clash in a series that has huge playoff implications. Just what you want as the season heads to a close. Lake Superior State at Bemidji State Jack: A … Read more
It’s a busy week in the WCHA starting and ending with Alabama Huntsville and Bowling Green as nice bookends over a five-day stretch. Things are heating up in the chase for the playoffs, and every game now means something to both teams. Alabama Huntsville at/vs Bowling Green (Wednesday/Sunday) Jack: It’s going to be a … Read more
Another fascinating week of WCHA hockey begins with a Tuesday afternoon matchup between the struggling No. 20 Michigan Tech Huskies and the confident No. 18 Lake Superior State Lakers. Lake Superior State at Michigan Tech Jack: A continuation of last week’s series that saw Lake State win 3-1 in Houghton. The Lakers are looking to … Read more
Another great weekend of hockey involving WCHA teams this weekend with some quality matchups as well as a surprising one or two as well. Alabama Huntsville at Lake Superior Jack: Quite the weekend for both teams — the Lakers absolutely took it to Bowling Green, while the Chargers forgot their uniforms in Huntsville and … Read more
What makes a line combination does not always make sense when coaches put a trio together on paper.
No. 18-ranked Michigan Tech coach Joe Shawhan seems to have found a trio that has quickly developed chemistry in captain Alec Broetzman, freshman Arvid Caderoth, and sophomore Jake Crespi.
Man, what a season we are seeing here. First, you have to love what Minnesota State continues to do week in and week out after their huge sweep of Bowling Green last weekend. However, at the same time, don’t sleep on Northern Michigan. They appear to be heating up at just the right moment. … Read more
Bemidji State aa Ferris State Jack: The Beavers are on a roll after winning four straight against Bowling Green and Minnesota State. I expect them to continue to do so this weekend in Big Rapids. Beavers sweep, 4-2, 4-1 Daver: The Beavers certainly have been better of late, there is no doubt about that, but … Read more
Ask Northern Michigan coach Grant Potulny what is the one thing his team needs, and he will give you a simple, one-word answer: consistency.
Boy, the 2020-21 season keeps having curveballs sent its way with last-minute changes, series cancellations, and quick reschedulings. However, no one can accuse it of being anything other than amazing that it has gone as smoothly as it has. Six teams see action this weekend, with four playing for points. Should make for more exciting … Read more
Well, a power outage in Upper Michigan does not slow down the WCHA schedule. Three series to watch this weekend and at least two of them carry interesting storylines with the third being a bit of a toss-up depending on how youth competes against experience. Bowling Green at Bemidji State Jack: A nonconference series … Read more