BIG TEN MEDAL OF HONOR 100TH ANNIVERSARY SPOTLIGHT – Michigan State’s Danton Cole: Cole, who earned the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1989, tallied 163 points (69 goals, 94 assists) in 180 career games for the Spartans. As a freshman in 1985-86, Cole registered 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists) as Michigan State won its second NCAA title. After posting a career-high 62 points (29 goals, 33 assists) as a senior, the Lansing, Mich., native launched an NHL career that included more than 300 games. He is currently the head coach of the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 team.
Where We Rank: Minnesota and Michigan continues to hold on to the top two spots in the latest USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls, released on Monday. The Gophers, who earned a split at then-No. 4/3 Notre Dame last weekend, find themselves at the top of both polls for four consecutive weeks. Michigan held steady at No. 2 in both polls after being idle this past weekend …
Lighting the Lamp: A trio of conference teams are riding strong offenses to solid starts this season. Minnesota has climbed to the top of the national polls on the strength of the second-best offense in the nation, as the Gophers have averaged 4.38 goals per game. Wisconsin is ninth in the country with 3.83 goals per game while Ohio State is tied for 11th at 3.70 goals per game. The Buckeyes have scored an average of 4.14 goals in their last seven games, a stretch that has featured six victories …
Gone Streaking: With three points in his last series, which took place Nov. 1-2 against Lake Superior State, Wisconsin forward Nic Kerdiles extended his current point streak to 18 games. The sophomore is now just three games shy of the longest point streak in school history, held by current head coach Mike Eaves at 21 games. Kerdiles has recorded 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) during the streak, which he will look to extend when Wisconsin returns to the ice this weekend at No. 8/8 Miami University …
Dominant Defense: Michigan has emerged as one of the nation’s best teams in large part due to its elite defense. The Wolverines boast the nation’s second-best defense, allowing just 1.75 goals per game. Michigan has held opponents to two goals or less in seven of eight games this season, going 5-1-1 in those contests. One reason for Michigan’s defensive strength has been freshman goaltender Zach Nagelvoort, who leads all conference goalies and ranks third nationally in both save percentage (.948) and goals-against average (1.47) …
Hot Starts: If recent history is any indication, Michigan and Minnesota are in a strong position to be playing in the NCAA tournament this spring based on their records through eight games. Michigan had an identical 6-1-1 record to start the 2011-12 season, when the team won seven of its first 10 games on its way to a spot in the NCAA tournament. Minnesota was 7-1-0 through eight contests in 2011-12, when the Gophers went on to win 28 games and earn a berth in the Frozen Four …
Taking on the Best: With another win over a ranked opponent last weekend, Big Ten teams have now posted nine such victories this season in non-conference play. Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State and Wisconsin have combined to defeat Boston College (twice), Boston University (twice), Lake Superior State (once), Minnesota Duluth (once), New Hampshire (twice) and Notre Dame (once) this season …
On Sale Now: Tickets for the inaugural Big Ten Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament, slated for March 20-22, 2014, at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn., are now on sale. Ticket packages can be purchased at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com
Information Courtesy of Adam Augustine | Associate Director, Communications | Big Ten Conference
Where We Rank: Minnesota and Michigan continues to hold on to the top two spots in the latest USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls, released on Monday. The Gophers, who earned a split at then-No. 4/3 Notre Dame last weekend, find themselves at the top of both polls for four consecutive weeks. Michigan held steady at No. 2 in both polls after being idle this past weekend …
Lighting the Lamp: A trio of conference teams are riding strong offenses to solid starts this season. Minnesota has climbed to the top of the national polls on the strength of the second-best offense in the nation, as the Gophers have averaged 4.38 goals per game. Wisconsin is ninth in the country with 3.83 goals per game while Ohio State is tied for 11th at 3.70 goals per game. The Buckeyes have scored an average of 4.14 goals in their last seven games, a stretch that has featured six victories …
Gone Streaking: With three points in his last series, which took place Nov. 1-2 against Lake Superior State, Wisconsin forward Nic Kerdiles extended his current point streak to 18 games. The sophomore is now just three games shy of the longest point streak in school history, held by current head coach Mike Eaves at 21 games. Kerdiles has recorded 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) during the streak, which he will look to extend when Wisconsin returns to the ice this weekend at No. 8/8 Miami University …
Dominant Defense: Michigan has emerged as one of the nation’s best teams in large part due to its elite defense. The Wolverines boast the nation’s second-best defense, allowing just 1.75 goals per game. Michigan has held opponents to two goals or less in seven of eight games this season, going 5-1-1 in those contests. One reason for Michigan’s defensive strength has been freshman goaltender Zach Nagelvoort, who leads all conference goalies and ranks third nationally in both save percentage (.948) and goals-against average (1.47) …
Hot Starts: If recent history is any indication, Michigan and Minnesota are in a strong position to be playing in the NCAA tournament this spring based on their records through eight games. Michigan had an identical 6-1-1 record to start the 2011-12 season, when the team won seven of its first 10 games on its way to a spot in the NCAA tournament. Minnesota was 7-1-0 through eight contests in 2011-12, when the Gophers went on to win 28 games and earn a berth in the Frozen Four …
Taking on the Best: With another win over a ranked opponent last weekend, Big Ten teams have now posted nine such victories this season in non-conference play. Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State and Wisconsin have combined to defeat Boston College (twice), Boston University (twice), Lake Superior State (once), Minnesota Duluth (once), New Hampshire (twice) and Notre Dame (once) this season …
On Sale Now: Tickets for the inaugural Big Ten Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament, slated for March 20-22, 2014, at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn., are now on sale. Ticket packages can be purchased at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com
Information Courtesy of Adam Augustine | Associate Director, Communications | Big Ten Conference