University of New England defeats Curry 5-1. (Photo by David Bates Photo)

Never doubt the Nor’Easters

#9 University of New England defeats #2 Curry 5-1

Univ. New England is a quiet team up in Maine who seemingly keeps to themselves all year, quietly in the rankings and then appears out of nowhere come NCAA tournament time. Head Coach Kevin Swallow seemingly wins wherever he goes, but this year, they started off the season with an early warning shot to the rest of the CNE (if they needed it to begin with).

The Nor’Easters had some goaltending problems last season, trying to shuffle through the rotation and find the right combination, but this offseason, they brought in a senior Division-I transfer from Northeastern (sounds like Nor’Easter) University: #33 Harrison Chesney.

On the other side of the ice, Curry and their dynamite Head Coach Pete Roundy, are coming off the best season in program history, a CNE conference title & Frozen Four appearance. They’ll need to see if they have another stud goaltender as they’ve been spoiled in net the past few seasons.

In this one, UNE came out firing early and often, they found the back of the net a whole 37 seconds into the game, it was Dominic Murphy firing it home. Shortly after, about four minutes later, Chip Hamlett (great name) scored, doubling the Nor’Easter lead quickly into the game, which would hold up for the remainder of the opening period.

In the 2nd period, Curry came out flying, but 11 seconds slower than UNE in the first, Karim Gayfullin scored 48 seconds into the 2nd period, which would be their lone goal of the game on their 24 shots. UNE would score a late goal in the 2nd on the powerplay, getting the lead back to two, which would hold up until the final period of play.

In the 3rd, it would be relatively quiet scoring-wise, UNE’s David Wilcox sealing it with the empty-netter with just under four minutes left in the game, followed by another regulation goal in the final minute of play, piling it on for UNE.

It was a penalty filled night, Curry committing six, while UNE committed seven, all minor penalties. Rivalries like this we can come to expect some rough & extracurricular play at times, so nothing out of the ordinary.

Harrison Chesney made 23 saves for UNE in the win, while sophomore Thomas Heaney, the University of Connecticut (NCAA D-I) transfer made 28 saves for Curry in the loss.

Hobart continues to Hobart

#1 Hobart defeats #8 Utica 6-5 (OT) & 2-1

Check out my full game recap of the 6-5 OT thriller here!

On Saturday at The Cooler, where the Statesmen have an active 55+ game winning streak, Hobart continued to show why they’ve been ranked #1 for over two years and counting.

This game was less penalty-filled than Thursday at The Aud, but still had a fair amount of action, Hobart with seven, Utica with six, all minor penalties.

All goals came on the powerplay, early in the 1st, Bauer Morrissey scored a one-time slapshot to give the Statesmen the lead just under seven minutes in on the powerplay as mentioned. Morrissey’s goal would be the lone goal in the opening frame, giving Hobart the 1-0 lead headed to the middle frame.

Utica’s Drake Morse popped one in to tie it up just over six minutes into the second period, but Hobart’s Kahlil Fontana quickly gained the lead back a brisk minute-40 seconds later. Fontana’s goal would hold up as the GWG as we were treated to a scoreless third period.

Three-time national champion Damon Beaver started this game unlike Thursday where Mavrick Goyer got the start, Beaver made 15 saves, a light night for him. Meanwhile, Kyle Curtin had another workout in net for Utica, he made 30 saves despite the 2-1 loss.

Utica is off to their first-ever 0-4 start in program history, however, don;t count them out as an NCAA tournament team as the UCHC looks wide-open this season come conference playoff time.

Oswego shuts out former SUNYAC kingpin

#12 Oswego defeats #5 Geneseo 1-0

Formerly a member of the SUNYAC, Geneseo ran the league their last decade as a member, winning five conference titles since 2016. Oswego recently got back on top last season for the first time since 2014 (still cannot believe that).

These two haven’t exactly had a competitive run as of late, with the Ice Knights holding a record of 12-2-1 in the last 15 games, dating back to 2018… outscoring the Lakers an incredible 61-25… Shocking numbers for two teams with such rich history and considering Ed Gosek’s Oswego State holds the all-time record lead of 63-37-6, it’s really been a generational switch with Chris Schultz at the helm of Geneseo.

Oswego State Men’s Hockey. (Photo via Oswego State Athletics)

In this one, Geneseo outshot the Lakers 54-27, but the heroics of goaltender Gavin McCarthy kept every shot out of the net, giving Oswego an early signature win as they head into a massive weekend versus their longtime rivals Plattsburgh in their signature Whiteout Weekend. Then, a day later, a new SUNYAC member in Skidmore to follow on Saturday night where Oswego State alum Paul Rodrigues, the Sid Watson winner in 2013, will be back in Oswego as an assistant coach for the Thoroughbreds.

The lone goal of the night was scored by Oswego’s Cam Symons on the powerplay just over four minutes into the 2nd period.

The final MIAC / WIAC interlock heats up!

Here’s some notable results from our final season of the MIAC / WIAC interlock (the interlock is where the leagues have an agreement to play non-conference games each season, which ends following this season). I will give a hint, there’s some incredible WIAC / NCHA matchups already planned and more on the way with this interlock being lifted.

Bethel shuts out #13 Wisconsin-Stevens Point 4-0

#13 Wisconsin-Stevens Point, coming off a rough weekend as usual in Dubuque, IA, didn;t get any better results as they were shutout by one of the favorites in the MIAC Bethel, 4-0. The Pointers got the 4-1 win vs Saint Mary’s the following night, with a massive non-conference matchup vs their friends #4 St. Norbert College this Tuesday (11/11/2025).

Bethel, coached by Chris McKelvie, are off to a 2-1 start after wins over Beloit, UWSP, & a loss to Wisconsin-Eau Claire the night following the win over the Pointers. See a trend here? These two leagues brutalize each other’s records year after year, there’s never a probable outcome in these games, it’s always a surprise with these teams.

The Royals will head North and visit Wisconsin-Stout & #10 Wisconsin-Superior.

St. Olaf holds off the Yellowjackets

St. Olaf is off to a quietly good start under first-year Head Coach Tyler Lindstrom after the departure of Eddie Effinger who headed back east to his alma mater Amherst College. The Ole’s were given the east matchup on opening weekend versus #5 St. Norbert College, in which they split, losing 3-0 & winning 5-4 (OT).

This past weekend, St, Olaf defeated Wisconsin-Eau Claire 3-2 (OT), the WIAC title winner from last season. Then on Saturday on senior night, the Ole’s tied Wisconsin-Superior 3-3, losing the irrelevant (for pride) shootout 2-0.

St. Olaf visits Gustavus & hosts Gustavus in a home/away series this coming weekend, the Gusties are off to an 0-2 start after winning the MIAC last season under Head Coach Tyler Walsh. Maybe a certain someone will be at these games… who knows…