USCHO Weekend Review

Wisconsin is still unbeaten, and Vermont is rewriting its preseason expectations. The No. 1 Badgers took five of six points at Minnesota, while the Catamounts went into Boston College, earned five of six Hockey East points and climbed into the USCHO Top 20 after being picked last in the league.Ed Trefzger, Jim Connelly and Derek Schooley break down those storylines, Augustana and Michigan Tech's tightly contested CCHA series, Rand Pecknold's dramatic 700th career win, and the two very different nights in the Michigan State-Boston University split.Then Derek offers a coach's view of the rules affecting the game: no timeout after icing, the penalty for shooting a loose stick at the puck or puck carrier, the no-change restriction after a goalie freezes a long shot, and the emphasis on eliminating embellishment and diving.Which team's start has changed your expectations the most? Let us know in the comments, and subscribe for more college hockey coverage from USCHO.Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

A near-capacity crowd watched Michigan State and North Dakota in Austin. Could Texas eventually host a Frozen Four?Ed Trefzger, Jim Connelly and Derek Schooley explore destination hockey: what Austin demonstrated, what a Texas Frozen Four would require, and how these events benefit players, fans and universities.The discussion spans Belfast’s Friendship Four, Cornell’s Madison Square Garden traditions and outdoor spectacles at Wrigley Field and Beaver Stadium. Are these games attracting new fans, bringing alumni together or creating unforgettable experiences—and how should we measure their success?Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Wisconsin outscored Notre Dame 16–2—but have the Badgers earned the No. 1 ranking? Michigan suffers its first loss, Michigan State wins a thriller against North Dakota in Austin, and Augustana’s explosive weekend raises expectations for the Vikings.Ed Trefzger, Jim Connelly and Derek Schooley break down the weekend, including Quinnipiac’s response against Providence, Boston University’s sweep of Maine, Vermont’s dramatic sweep of UNH and Army’s historic conference start behind consecutive JJ Cataldo shutouts.Plus: the Ivies get underway, and we discuss what the early NPI can tell us as Thanksgiving approaches.Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

What's changing in NCAA men's college hockey this season, and why are some new rules already generating so much discussion?On this special edition of USCHO Upon Further Review, hosts Ed Trefzger and Jim Connelly welcome two of the leading authorities on NCAA hockey rules and officiating:• Jeff Fulton — NCAA National Coordinator of Men's Ice Hockey Officials• Steve Piotrowski — NCAA Secretary-Rules EditorTogether, they explain the changes for the 2026–27 season, why they were introduced and how officials are applying them on the ice.Topics include:New faceoff procedures and enforcement of violationsThe increased emphasis on diving and embellishmentVideo replay, major penalties and coaches' challengesThe introduction of the goaltender trapezoidChanges affecting line changes, timeouts and game flowConsistency in officiating across college hockeyWhether you're a player, coach, broadcaster or fan, this conversation offers insight into how the college game is evolving.Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Minnesota delivered one of the biggest surprises of the young college hockey season, sweeping previously unbeaten North Dakota to give new head coach Brett Larson his first two victories with the Golden Gophers.On this week's USCHO Weekend Review, Ed Trefzger, Jim Connelly and Derek Schooley break down a wild weekend in NCAA Division I men's hockey.Among the topics:- Minnesota's sweep of North Dakota and what it means for both programs- Army's stunning overtime upset of Quinnipiac- New Hampshire's impressive split with Michigan State- Michigan's dramatic last-second victory over Western Michigan- Augustana's sweep at Ohio State and Merrimack's big weekend at Notre DamePlus: Which conference is strongest? We examine the early-season nonconference records of all six Division I men's leagues, including the NCHC, Big Ten and Hockey East, and what those results could mean for the national picture.Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Ed Trefzger, Jim Connelly and Derek Schooley make their calls on nine early-season questions in college hockey. Who’s buying — and who’s selling?Can Denver get back to the Frozen Four? Will Augustana earn an at-large NCAA bid? Is Quinnipiac the nation’s top-scoring team? We also weigh in on Penn State, Minnesota, Arizona State, Atlantic Hockey and the NCAA tournament outlook for Boston College, Boston University and Hockey East.Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Michigan swept defending national champion Denver and takes over No. 1 in the USCHO poll. What separates the unbeaten Wolverines, and what should we make of the Pioneers’ first losses of the season?Ed Trefzger, Jim Connelly and Derek Schooley break down the weekend in college hockey, including:• Michigan’s statement sweep at Denver• Western Michigan’s dominant start and upcoming test against Michigan• Augustana and Michigan Tech building strong early cases• Quinnipiac’s scoring depth and Penn State’s struggles• Minnesota’s winless start• Arizona State’s sweep at UMass Lowell in Dave Hakstol’s debut behind the benchJim also shares insight from his pregame conversation with Hakstol and his firsthand view of Friday’s ASU victory.Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

In the debut episode, USCHO’s Jim Connelly goes inside Bentley Arena for an extended conversation with Jones, now in his fourth season leading the Falcons after guiding the program to back-to-back Atlantic Hockey America championships and consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.Jones discusses the transition into his first head-coaching job, the philosophy and relationships behind Bentley’s rise, and what it means to build a Division I hockey program at a smaller school in the blue-collar city of Waltham, Massachusetts. He reflects on the people who fought to keep Bentley hockey alive, the growth of the program and its community, and the identity he believes has become the foundation of its success.The conversation also looks at the rapidly changing landscape of college hockey — including NIL, the transfer portal, player retention and 5-for-5 eligibility — and how Bentley hopes to remain competitive without losing sight of what the program is trying to be.Plus, Jones opens up about the responsibilities of being a head coach, the senior class that helped transform the program, leadership inside a hockey locker room and his long-term vision for Bentley hockey.Behind the Bench takes listeners beyond the standings and inside the programs, people and philosophies shaping college hockey.Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Are Atlantic Hockey America teams and independents closing the gap in college hockey?Holy Cross has beaten Maine and Arizona State. Sacred Heart knocked off Penn State, Bentley shut out Vermont, and RIT came within half a second of beating UMass. Add Alaska’s win at Boston College and Maryville’s win over St. Lawrence, and there’s plenty to discuss.Ed Trefzger, Jim Connelly and Derek Schooley examine what these early results tell us about college hockey’s depth—and why a split against a higher-profile opponent can represent real progress. Are the days of assuming a comfortable sweep fading?Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Alaska takes down No. 11 Boston College, Sacred Heart beats No. 17 Penn State, and Maine and Quinnipiac split a hard-fought series. We also recap Bowling Green’s Ice Breaker title and more from a busy weekend of college hockey.Then, Arizona State’s split with Holy Cross: a 2–1 Friday loss followed by a 5–4 overtime comeback win. ASU trailed 3–1 in the third before scoring three straight, and Jack Beck won it 46 seconds into overtime. We also hear from interim head coach Mike Corbett.Ed Trefzger hosts Jimmy Connelly and Derek Schooley on USCHO Weekend Review.Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts