The sad news that came from Boston College on the passing of former head coach Len Ceglarski leads this week’s Hockey East blog.
1. Len Ceglarski defined Boston College hockey
Sadly, my career in college hockey began too late to know Len Ceglarski. I met him just once when writing a story a few years back, but growing up about 15 minutes from the Boston College campus, my memories of him when I was a younger hockey fan are numerous. The one that still to this day stands out in my head was the Beanpot consolation when a win over Harvard gave Ceglarski the record for most wins. The game was tied in a five-minute overtime before Ken Hodge Jr. blasted a slapshot from what I remember being around center ice. The puck when between the Harvard goalie’s legs as the horn sounded. In the days before instant replay, the referee signaled goal and Ceglarski erupted in celebration while Billy Cleary argued with the referee. The win stood and the wonderful Beanpot memories for Ceglarski and BC increased.
Len Ceglarski will be missed by the college hockey community. Our condolences go out to his family.
2. Merrimack heads to break playing best hockey of season
A 1-1 tie on Saturday against Northeastern gives Merrimack a three-game (2-0-1) unbeaten streak, and allows the Warriors to enter break playing its best hockey. Goaltender Craig Pantano, who played just a single game for the Warriors before this season, has been a difference makers, making 75 saves over the trio of games.
Pantano is now 4-4-2 on the season.
3. Tournaments are next on the Hockey East docket
Five Hockey East teams will play in holiday tournaments, including both host Vermont and UMass Lowell, which will play in the Catamount Cup. The two can’t meet as there is a pre-determined schedule of games for that event.
Additionally, New Hampshire will travel up the road to Dartmouth for the Ledyard Bank Classic, while Providence will head to Pittsburgh for the Three Rivers Classic, hosted by Robert Morris. The weekend after New Year, Boston College will close out the hockey tournament slate in the inaugural Ice Vegas Invitational in Las Vegas, an event Arizona State hopes can be an annual tournament in the desert.
