It’s Halloween, and our colleagues over at Inside College Hockey give us this amusing look at some reasons that might explain why RPI is de-emphasizing its beloved “Puckman” mascot character.

Hopefully, Puckman isn’t headed the way of the Swarm, an oversized bee which was the RPI mascot in the 1980s and very entertaining.

With Lake Superior in town for the annual RPI Tournament one season, the Lakers brought their pelican mascot to do battle with the Swarm. I have no idea if the pelican had a name too. But during the tournament championship game, the two mascots went at it, each trying to rile up their team’s fans. The Swarm did its customary routine where it raises its arms to one section, which yells as loud as it can, then to another section, and back and forth to see which one is the loudest.

Meanwhile, the pelican sneaked up behind the Swarm, waited for the bee to turn around in surprise, and raised its arms right in the face of the RPI mascot, in perfect imitation. The crowd howled in laughter.

This led to the two chasing each other around the rink — if you’re trying to picture this, play is still going on throughout the whole thing, it’s not an intermission show. The dueling mascots disappeared underneath the stands, then the chase picked up again with the Swarm wearing the pelican head and the pelican topped off with the bee head.

Not only was the crowd laughing hysterically, the players on the ice were looking back into the stands to watch what was happening.

I realize it wasn’t a Puckman story, but the point is that things like this in college athletics, especially college hockey, are a big part of what makes it fun and entertaining. It’s too bad that so much of that has fallen by the wayside as the game has grown and expanded. Traditions like Puckman and the Swarm are part of what make the game great, and RPI is one of those schools where tradition is very revered by the students and alumni. Maybe it’s time for a “Save Puckman” movement, which would be a pretty appropriate name given how many of the mascot’s vulcanized relatives have been “saved” by RPI goalies over the years.

People love polls. People love to argue about polls. We at the CHN Blog *heart* controversy, and quite frankly there certainly hasn’t been enough in college hockey this year. So we felt the best way to accomplish this was to create our own weekly rankings.

We know some people believe that KRACH is the be all, end all system for finding the best team. The NCAA says “unofficially” rolls with the Pairwise. Many fans flock to polls that require some sort of human intervention, where sometimes you get ridiculous votes for teams that haven’t even played yet, or are performing horrifically. We’ve seen some Ivy League schools that can remain ranked for weeks despite getting schooled multiple weekends in a row.

So we tasked ourselves to come up with something that we hope will make the college hockey picture a bit clearer, and even if it doesn’t, you can go right ahead and shoot us down in the comments as much as you’d like. We won’t feel bad.

So without further ado I present to you our first ever edition of the CHN Blog “PUCK” Rankings.

CHN Blog “PUCK” Rankings
October 30, 2006

These rankings have not been deemed “official” CHN Rankings by the editorial staff. Maybe someday when we prove our ultimate wisdom, but not today. Still enjoy.

The upsets just kept rolling in over the weekend.

• Northeastern after almost swiping one on Friday night from Michigan came through on Saturday with a big win.
• Yale, with new coach Keith Allain took a big W off of UNH who got swept over the weekend.
• Not so much an upset, as much as a statement, Boston College came in and cleaned house, sweeping Wisconsin, a small consolation for the Eagles who aren’t able to put on Championship rings after the game.
• Colgate is NOT living up to it’s #1 pre-season ranking in the ECAC where RPI beat them 2-1 to take the Governor’s Cup a short trip up 787.
• Notre Dame wins the Lightning College Hockey Classic defeating Air Force 2-0. They’re still on fire.
• The Nanooks are 4-1-1 now, but haven’t played a game outside of Alaska yet.
• Dartmouth opened up their defense of the ECACHL regular season title with a big win over Harvard.The US-18 team is now on Brett’s “Dead to me..” list after taking out Clarkson on Saturday. I wouldn’t be so accomodating though as D-III Plattsburgh almost took them out the next day.

While we wait for Adam’s analysis of last night’s games (check out that pic by the way, it just screams “I scored 41 points on the quiz.”) A few things are popping into my mind.

The cream of the Hockey East continues to take victories from the top of the WCHA after Boston College’s hard earned victory over Wisconsin Friday night. It took a short-handed goal on a 5 on 3 with an assist from the goalie just to get someone on the board, and the final was in question with as little as two minutes left remaining. Expect more of the same this evening.

While the tops in the Hockey East seem to do fine against the WCHA, a couple of the teams in Hockey East seem to get upset each week in their own conference. Last night it was Lowell taking down BU, and Merrimack took a win over Providence. Early in the week UNH fell to a UMass squad that is starting to raise eyebrows. Yes, I know it’s early, but those are points that fans of those teams expected to be in the bag.

It’ll be Air Force and Notre Dame in the final of the Lightning College Hockey Classic. RIT continues its fast start in Atlantic Hockey with a victory last night to improve their record to 3-0-0, but keep in mind they’ve been pounding on AIC and Canisus. Still I think they’re going to be very competitive against the Mercyhursts, Sacred Hearts and Holy Crosses. I’ll definitely be making it out to some Atlantic games soon, and I’m looking forward to seeing the increased level of competition.

In conference play over in the CCHA and WCHA everything seemed to go as I would’ve expected with the exception of the Seawolves getting blown out so badly by Michigan Tech. After such a great performance against the Nanooks last weekend is this just a bit of let down?

Also, welcome back Niagara. After last week’s drubbing at the hands of Nebraska-Omaha, they rattled off three goals in the first five minutes against Bemidji State to leave no doubt on route to a 6-2 victory over the Beavers.

Tonight, we’ll see if Brett’s taunting of the USNDTP-18 team comes back to haunt him.

Sure, many teams have four, five, six games under their belts so far this season, but this is truly the first full fledged week of the season as the Ivies come out of their safe little coccoons and join the rest of the world for a little old-fashioned ice hockey.

Cornell gave me a little scare last night as I diligently refreshed my cell phone using the new super-sweet CHN Wireless Scoreboard. Seeing it 2-1 in the 3rd was a bit scary. It either shows Cornell has a lot of rust, or Robert Morris has already come a long way in Division I. Cornell’s next test is an RIT team that has been known to keep up with the rest of D-I as well.

The big news this weekend is really the Wisconsin / BC Championship Rematch. They’re going to go at it on back-to-back nights, and it’s going to be some of the best hockey of the year, in one of the best college hockey towns, and even if you can’t be there, Badger fans have the fortune of seeing the game televised throughout Wisconsin, and also nationally on Fox Sports and CSTV (at least on Friday) Also, if you’re in Madison, have a beer for me, I wish I could be there.

The Lightning College Hockey Classic is happening this weekend, with Army, Air Force, Alabama-Huntsville and Notre Dame participating. I bet when that one was scheduled, no one expected to see THIS Irish squad coming into the tournament.

The first ever, ECAC Governor’s Cup is taking place in Albany at the Pepsi Arena featuring Colgate, Quinnipiac, Union and RPI in non-conference matchups. No one has figured out what happens if Quinnipiac wins. Will the NY fans riot? Will the Bobcats from CT refuse the trophy in disdain? While I’m a big fan of tournament hockey, it’s too bad it’s all ECAC teams. Some of these teams have a hard enough time schedule OOC opponents as is. Not sure if this is a case of the chicken (we made this tournament, we’re going to play), or the egg (no one will play us, so we’ll play each other), but it would’ve been nice to see other NY schools involved (and if we’re including Q, New England as well)

We’ll see a the CCHA and WCHA really begin to go at it this week, as both conference have a bunch of league games scheduled and ready to go.

Enjoy the weekend slate.

Ever wish you could get the latest scores when you were out on the road somewhere? Maybe you were sitting in traffic on the way home from a game, or maybe you just weren’t someplace where you could get to any of the online scoreboards out there. Maybe you were at a game and wished the PA announcer would update the out-of-town scores more often.

That’s all about to change. You can now get live, in-progress score updates on your cell phone — or other handheld wireless device — using College Hockey News‘ new Wireless Scoreboard.

It’s simple — just put “scores.collegehockeynews.com” into your phone, and you’re all set. Bookmark the page for easy access in the future.

There’s more information here. Just remember that while there isn’t a charge to use our new service, wireless charges through your provider may apply, mileage may vary, please drink responsibly, blah blah blah.

If you’ve seen Hockey East’s wireless scoreboard feature (we had something to do with that too), this one will be familiar to you.

This was what we had in mind last week when we told you about CHN’s new partnership with the RinkAtlas.com rink mapping system and team schedule calendars, and said more was coming soon.

As always, let us know what you think, and feel free to pass the word or tell us how you use the wireless scoreboard. Maybe we can convince management to come up with a special prize for the best story…

Until they are unseated, the WCHA is king of the college hockey landscape.

However, we might be seeing signs of resurgence in the eastern schools as these early non-conference games unfold.

Starting with the obvious, Maine is playing the best hockey of anyone in the country right now.  The Black Bears are 5-0-0 and 3 of those wins are over WCHA schools, in WCHA arenas.

New Hampshire opened their season on the road at Colorado College, and swept the Tigers 4-3 and 7-2.  RPI went into Denver and took a game from the Pioneers, and hung around for two periods in the second.  This is an RPI team picked to finish ninth in the ECAC.

Coming up this weekend SLU heads to Michigan Sate, Northeastern travles to Michigan and Boston College travels back to Wisconsin, in what will be the most talked about games of the week.  A BC sweep could further turn the tide to the eastern schools as early departures take their toll on the west.  I realize it’s still October, but come April the college landscape could be very different.

Here’s what Ron has to say about the weekend:

• How about Notre Dame? Crushing BC 7-1, then rolling over Providence 6-1 the following night. The only blemish on their record so far is a 3-2 OT loss to Minnesota State. Aside from that, they’ve been offensively dominant in the four other games they’ve played this season. Are they the real deal? 
• Vermoooont? Where are you?
• Is it just me or are there a lot more weekday games this year?
• The Canadian teams went 2-2-1 on Saturday against Bemidji State and an Ivy League foursome hitting the ice for the first time this season. There’s a bit of rust there, but once the Ivies are on skates, you know hockey season is in full swing and that’s a good thing.
• The WCHA is the only conference with a winning record against “Big 4″ teams with a 15-9-5 record.

I’m a regular joe, just like everyone else. So when I get a chance to go out for the evening, I take it. That being said, getting a chance to go out, doesn’t necessarily mean watching college hockey the entire evening.

So imagine my surprise when I return home to see the insanity that hit college hockey this evening.

So sure, my own Golden Knights look like they got a beatdown 5-1 at the hands of LSSU, but lets be honest, last week’s series at OSU left us all apprehensive of the Lakers, who came out firing Friday with a big win. Who thinks they’ll finish in 10th place now?

“But what else Ron?!” you say?!

Well for starters Nebraska-Omaha issuing a 10-1 final over Niagara shocks me. At least until I saw RPI squeaking out a 2-1 victory over Denver in a game most saw going to the Pioneers. But that’s all fine and dandy until I see Michgian Tech take out Vermont, and Maine take a four goal victory over North Dakota. At this point is it bizzaro world I say? Not so sure until on my way to the cotton candy stand I see that Notre Dame took out Boston College 7-1. What a world college hockey has become. Finally, every game, every night, anyone can be a winner, by a slim margin, or by a blowout.

RIT and Air Force open up their Atlantic Hockey season along with the rest of the now 10 team league.  Highlighted by the early season matchup between perennial league front runners Mercyhurst and Holy Cross.

In the ECAC the Ivy league schools open up with their annual exhibitions against Canadian schools, while the other six schools face off in some quality non-conference games.  Getting the most press is RPI head coach Seth Appert’s return to Denver for a pair of games.  Clarkson returns to Cheel to face LSSU in Jim Roque’s first return to Potsdam since 2000.

In the CCHA, Michigan looks to sweep Miami at Yost after defeating the Hawks last night 6-3.  This series was moved from Friday-Saturday to Thursday-Friday due to the Michigan football game.

In Hockey East Boston Universtiy splits a pair between Northeastern and Merrimack, and in the WCHA St. Cloud travels to Minnesota State, and Duluth travels to Madison. 

In non-conference play the best matchup is New Hampshire at Colorado College, but according to some the best rivalry takes place this weekend as Alaska and Alaska Anchorage square off for the Governers Cup.  The Maverick Stampede is also the weekend and features UNO, Niagara, Lowell and Northern Michigan.  Finally Ohio State travels to Minnesota in what will feature the return of Kellen Briggs from suspension.

We’re on to you USNTDP-U18 Team. You thought you could fool us, you thought could outsmart us, the American Public. Well we’ve caught on to your rouse, and frankly, we’re a little surprised. Until you get your act together, you’re on notice.

After sweeping through September defeating teams like the Texas Tornado and the North Iowa Blizzard, racking up a 6-0-0 record and a +26 goal differential, you had the swagger. Travelling to Fairbanks and defeating Alaska 5-3 showed you had the confidence. However the 9-2 beating you took at Anchorage just left us shocked.

After leaving us in a deep depression for a week you come back and take Michigan to overtime. Five days later, it’s the top ranked Boston College Eagles, and it was another overtime thriller. The USA was back. While we weren’t happy with the losses, we knew that you had regained your cocky American stride. We could salute you for your effort and look forward to the season ahead.

Then you lost 7-1 to New Hampshire.

Which team is it USA? Do you only show up for big games? Is UNH not considered a big game anymore? We, the American Public, are concerned. Is it drugs? You’re not on drugs, are you? Is it girls? Look we were all Under 18 once in our lives, we know it’s an awkward time, but to lose to UNH 7-1 like that just gets us worried. The Russians, and Canadians aren’t going to care that you got dumped this week, or that you’re not the right fit for the Thrashers. This is international competition. This is the show, or at least one version of it. We need you. We need that gold medal. We need to live vicariously through you. Please USNTDP, we’ve got nothing left.

The World Juniors are a mere 6 months away. You have plenty of time to get into International shape. You have games against 13 D-1 schools left. Please treat them as big games. Sure you can beat up on Traverse City, but doesn’t that feel hollow? Wouldn’t you rather take on North Dakota in Grand Forks and show them what’s for? Can beating the stuffing out Canisus make up for a overtime loss to Michigan State? I think we all know the answer to this.