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Pre-Scout: Can the Oilers avoid the mousetrap and hunt the Ducks?

I want to believe the Edmonton Oilers this time. I really do.  But there is a California-sized steel trap hovering above this afternoon’s matchup against the Anaheim Ducks.  The Oilers close out an overtime victory against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday, take all four possible points on the road this week, setting up a matchup…

Wisconsin Finds a Way; Reaches First Frozen Four Since 2010

With five minutes left in regulation and Wisconsin down by two goals, hope was fading.But not for the Badgers.Just five minutes and two goals separated the Badgers from their first Frozen Four appearance in 16 years. It has been 20 years since they won a national championship. And much like this season, the past two decades have been filled with ups and downs, big wins and some bad losses, not to ...

NHL

Nothing Left But 'Thank You'

It looked as though Matt Basgall’s goal would put the game out of reach and finally send Michigan State back to a Frozen Four, this one in Las Vegas in 10 days.Basgall’s goal extended the Spartans’ lead to 3-1 with 11:27 left in regulation. Even without top-line center Charlie Stramel, who broke his ankle blocking a shot in the first period and exited after just four shifts, the lead felt secure...

NHL

'Not the News I Was Looking to Receive'

Mercyhurst announced early Friday morning that it was dropping its men's hockey program. The Lakers won four regular-season and three conference tournament championships in their history, but had hit difficult times lately. Coach Rick Gotkin is retiring this year after 37 seasons, and was set to be replaced by assistant Tom Peffal. Gotkin only found out about Mercyhurst's decision Friday morning, ...

NHL

In Game of Offensive Stars, Gajan Shines in Net For UMD

Minnesota Duluth and Penn State traded scoring chances all night long, however, both goalies were up for the task.Ultimately UMD’s Adam Gajan was one save better than Penn State’s Joshua Fleming.From Gavin McKenna and Charlie Cerrato to Max and Zam Plante, it was a game that did not lack star power. Even with Penn State’s fourth-ranked scoring offense and UMD’s second-ranked power play, offense...

You Haven't Heard the Last of the Big Red

When the final buzzer sounded, Cornell captain Ryan Walsh stared up at the scoreboard at Blue FCU Arena.What it read was not something he had anticipated when his squad made the NCAA Tournament:Denver 5, Cornell 0.The Big Red hadn’t lost by more than three goals all year, nor had they been shut out. Friday’s game changed both of those things.“In order to be the best, you’ve got to play against...

Penn State Managed Injury, Expectations in 'Transformational' Year

Matt DiMarsico broke his stick over the crossbar. Reese Laubach slammed his on the boards as he skated back to the bench.In what was surely his final collegiate game, Gavin McKenna dropped to a knee, watching Minnesota Duluth celebrate shutting the door on Penn State.Just moments prior, Ty Hanson found the back of the Nittany Lions’ empty net to seal the Bulldogs’ 3-1 victory in the regional semifinal...

Denver Has a Day

While there are plenty of teams across college hockey with superstar forwards, or with prolific top lines that serve as the focus for opposing teams' defensive game plans, the reality for Denver is — simply — they are not that type of team.Nor do they pretend to be. And Friday, in their dominant 5-0 shutout of Cornell, the Pioneers showed just why they don't need to be. Denver entered the NCAA...

NHL

What Happened To The Ice?

If the ice in the image to the left looks a little off, this was a real thing in 2005. With the NHL lockout in full effect, the AHL was seeing a pile of stars play nightly who should have been on NHL rosters while the NHL and AHL brass looked at all sorts of options to make the game better during AHL games. The image to the left is from one of those games where the ice was coloured "electric powder blue" , the blue lines were painted almost fluorescent orange , and the red line was painted dar...

NHL

Getting to know Edmonton Oilers newest signing Tomáš Cibulka

With a lack of draft capital, the Edmonton Oilers are looking overseas once again. This time, they signed Czech defenceman Tomáš Cibulka to a two-year entry-level contract that starts in 2026-27. Cibulka, 21, stands six feet tall, 176 pounds, and is a left-shot defenceman who has spent the last two seasons in Czechia. Last season,…

Oilers home performances need to improve for legitimate playoff push

Keeping in mind the quality of opponent, quality of play, and the context of the game, what do you think is the best Edmonton Oilers home win of the season?  Take a minute to think about it.  It’s easy to figure out the big home-ice disappointments. It’s not so easy to figure out the big…

Oilers sign Czech defenceman Tomáš Cibulka to two-year entry-level contract

The Edmonton Oilers signed a European defenceman for next season on Friday morning, perhaps signalling another wave of free agent signings in early spring.   The team announced they have agreed to terms with Tomáš Cibulka on a two-year entry-level contract beginning in the 2026-27 season.  After playing junior hockey in Canada, he’s spent the last…