The B1G Scoreboard (10/14/16-10/16-16)

Men's Scores From 10/14/16

• Michigan State @ Lake Superior, 7:37 ET
• Penn State @ Mercyhurst, 7:05 ET
• (6) Boston College @ Wisconsin, 7:00 CT
• U.S. U-18 Team @ Minnesota, 7:00 CT

Ohio State Hockey Schedule: #TheGrind

By Miles McQuinn

To say that Ohio State's non-conference is among the toughest in the nation is more of an understatement than saying that the previous Big Ten Tournaments have lacked in attendance.

The Buckeye roster includes 27 players, with 10 freshmen, seven sophomores, seven juniors and three seniors.

Even with a ton of veterans coming back, it would still be tough to prepare for their 2015-16 schedule.

Throw in the amount of freshmen that need to get ready, and the situation gets even tougher for OSU head coach Steve Rohlik, who, by the way, has a new assistant coach in former Wisconsin standout defenseman Mark Strobel.

Let's take a look at what the Scarlet and Gray are up against this season as I highlight five of their marquee match-ups.

2015-16 Ohio State Freshman Preview

By Miles McQuinn

Number of Players Lost: 8 (all due to graduation)

Number of Incoming Freshmen: 10

The spring of 2013-14 was a devastating one for head coach Steve Rohlik and his Ohio State squad. Losing Hobey Baker candidate Ryan Dzingel and point producer Max McCormick to Binghamton (AHL) proved to be a significant blow heading into the 2014-15 season. OSU's talent up front was diluted and injuries didn't help either.

This upcoming season the Buckeyes notice a hit of players too, graduating eight and losing a core group of guys. Of them, forwards like Matt Johnson and Nick Oddo, as well as defenseman Justin DaSilva, are tough to lose. The departure of team captain Tanner Fritz is the toughest to deal with. But, unlike last season, there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel. With some of the talent they have coming in, along with some veteran goaltending and a few point producers already on the team, OSU is making steps in the right direction as a program.

Let's have a look at Ohio State's incoming freshman class, leading up to the impact players at the end.

2015-16 Big Ten Schedule Released

It's time to gear up for next season -- at least a little bit anyway -- with the release of next year's Big Ten schedule. Fans will be pleased to see most of the games have gone back to the typical Friday/Saturday night series with just two Sunday and Thursday night games a piece.

2015‐16 BIG TEN HOCKEY SCHEDULE  
Friday Dec. 4 Wisconsin at Michigan
Friday Dec. 4 Ohio State at Minnesota
Friday Dec. 4 Michigan State at Penn State

Saturday Dec. 5 Wisconsin at Michigan
Saturday Dec. 5 Ohio State at Minnesota
Saturday Dec. 5 Michigan State at Penn State

Friday Dec. 11 Minnesota at Michigan
Friday Dec. 11 Wisconsin at Michigan State

Saturday Dec. 12 Minnesota at Michigan
Saturday Dec. 12 Wisconsin at Michigan State

The Big Ten in the Biggest Moments

By Miles McQuinn

There’s only one thing that can bring out hockey sweaters in the warm months of May and June – it’s Stanley Cup playoff time. Plenty of familiar names don the ice in the conference finals of this year’s quest for the Cup. But the Big Ten has been represented long before the conference even came to be. Here’s a look at some of the best playoff performers to come out of Big Ten schools.

(Editor’s Note: We’re aware that these players were not in the Big Ten Hockey Conference at the time that they played... just go with it and enjoy!)

Here Lies: Ohio State's 2014-15 Season

It wasn't as quick and painless as many had thought. The Gophers were a tough draw, but Ohio State had been here before. Last season they upended the mighty Minnesotans. This year was a different story. This year the Buckeyes lost and finished their season. 

Watching senior captain Tanner Fritz head back to the dressing room in full uniform, almost in tears knowing his collegiate career had come to a close, it doesn't take much more than that to realize that it's about more than a game.

For Fritz, he will soon become the first member of his family to graduate from college.

The Buckeye captain's journey has come full circle.

Ohio State, who had won six of their last seven games coming into Friday afternoon's Big Ten semifinal contest against Minnesota, saw their 2014-15 journey come to a close on Friday afternoon at Joe Louis arena by a 3-0 final score.

Here Lies: Penn State's 2014-15 Season

It was a tragic end to an excellent season for the Nittany Lions. We were hoping to see them live past this opening tournament day, but they met their untimely season demise at the hands of Ohio State -- a squad they struggled with all season.

Ohio State has now bested PSU seven of the past 10 meetings and completed its third straight victory over the Nittany Lions.

But let's remember the good times of Penn State. The season that saw them improve on years past and a season that showed the nation they weren't at the Division I level by mistake. It was a year capped with a 18-15-4 record and a fourth-place finish in the Big Ten.

The Roar Zone powered the team through the season. At home they proved to be nearly unstoppable at 13-2-3. Pegula saw notable wins over Michigan State, Minnesota and a late-season sweep of Michigan.

While their season lies here, we know they will rise from the dead bigger and stronger next year.

RIP

Tourney Talk: Thoughts Heading Into Big Ten Tournament

By Miles McQuinn

What a wild finish to the Big Ten Conference regular season. All six teams are set to make their journey to Joe Louis Arena with the hopes of not only a conference title, but the chance to play for an NCAA title as well. Unfortunately, it looks like the Big Ten will only have one, maybe two representatives in the big dance this year. Regardless, here's my thoughts on each team as an exciting weekend in the motor city quickly approaches.

Michigan, Penn State Lead Season Awards

The Big Ten announced its end of the year awards Monday morning. Michigan and Penn State tied for nine awards a piece, with Michigan's freshman phenom Dylan Larkin being a unanimous selection in three categories. Michigan State netminder Jake Hildebrand made an impression this year. His outstanding play between the pipes -- where he led the conference in every goaltending category -- earned him Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year. Minnesota's Mike Reilly also found himself in a familiar place, winning the Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.

The B1G Scoreboard (2/20/15 - 2/22/15)

Men's Scores From 2/20/15:

• Michigan @ Ohio State, 7:00 ET

• Minnesota @ Penn State, 6:30 ET on BTN
  
• Michigan State @ Wisconsin, 8:00 CT on BTN 

Valentine's Cards For The One Who Lit The Lamp On Your Heart

Because nothing goes toether better than love and hockey. 

Showdown in the Shoe

Why an Ohio State vs. Michigan matchup in the horseshoe needs to happen

By Miles McQuinn

On Oct. 6, 2001, on a beautiful fall night in East Lansing, Mich., Michigan State and Michigan faced-off in what was easily dubbed the "Cold War." The prized outdoor game set a new outdoor hockey attendance record, as more than 74,000 people watched two of the nation's top five teams battle to a 3-3 tie in Spartan Stadium.

A little over nine years later, Michigan put on their own show in what was known as "The Big Chill at the Big House." The score was not nearly as even as the Wolverines dominated from start to finish, winning 5-0 in front of more than 104,000 fans.

Ohio State wanted to get in on the action. But instead of playing rival Michigan at Ohio Stadium, they took the contest with the Maize and Blue two hours north to Cleveland. "The Frozen Diamond Faceoff" was held at Progressive Field, home of Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians, in mid-January of 2012. The then No. 15 Wolverines pummeled the then No. 2 Buckeyes 4-1 with 25,864 on hand on the shores of Lake Erie.

Let this be my first call for and outdoor game to take place at Ohio Stadium, home of the national champion Buckeye football team. If this were to take place, here is what needs to happen, and here's how I think this will play out (Bear with me fine readers).

B1G Has Higher Hopes in Hockeytown

By Mike Hinrichs

It's still a little less than two months away, but it's never too early to start looking forward to the second annual B1G tournament, set to take place March 19-21. This year's tourney heads to the heart of Hockeytown, hosted at the infamous Joe Louis Arena.

Last year's inaugural B1G conference tournament called the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul home. Looking at the attendance numbers, you can bet the Big Ten is hoping for a better turnout the second time around.

Why the B1G Bust in 2014-15?

By Jessi Pierce

It's been a rough year two for many Big Ten hockey fans. While Michigan and Penn State and find themselves enjoying the top of conference standings respectively, perennial powerhouses Minnesota and Wisconsin are facing struggles that have shaken their fan bases to the core. Meanwhile Michigan State and Ohio State continue to work for establishment in the middle of the pack.

On a nationwide scale the darkness of the Big Ten is even more noticeable. Take a look at the college polls and you'll be hard pressed to find a Big Ten team in the top 15 -- especially in recent weeks.

Buckeye State Battles On

Ohio teams realize importance of in-state rivalries

By Miles McQuinn

Location, location, location.

The Bowling Green, Miami, and Ohio State hockey teams are all two hours apart from each other. Despite no longer being members of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), they have all made it a point to continue playing each other each season.

Thank heavens they did.

The B1G Scoreboard (11/13/14-11/15/14)

Women's Scores From 11/13/14:

• Minnesota State 2, Wisconsin 8

Men's Scores From 11/14/14:

• Ohio State 3, Bowling Green, 2 -- Ohio State Scores Late for 3-2 Win at No. 19 Bowling Green

• Boston College 3, Michigan State 2 -- Spartans Come Up Short Against No. 8 Boston College

• American International 2, Michigan 5 -- Copp's Two-Goal Night Carries Michigan over AIC

• Penn State 3, UMass-Lowell 5 -- No. 4 UMass-Lowell Downs Nittany Lions, 5-3

• Minnesota-Duluth 3, Minnesota 0 -- Gophers Fall to UMD in Series Opener

The Big Scoreboard (10/18/14-10/19/14)

Men's Scores From 10/17/14:

• Mass 3, Michigan State 5 -- Hockey Tops UMass in Season Opener, 5-3

• Wisconsin 0, Northern Michigan 2 -- Wisconsin Falls to Michigan in Series Opener

• Miami 5, Ohio State 1 -- No. 17 Buckeyes Drop Home-and Home Series Opener to Miami

• New Hampshire 5, Michigan 1 -- Michigan Drops Home Opener to New Hampshire

• Penn State 3, Alaska-Anchorage 3 OT -- Nittany Lions Drawn 3-3 by Alaska-Anchorage

Men's Scores From 10/18/14:

• Mass 4, Michigan State 3 -- Late Goal Sinks Hockey 

• Wisconsin 1, Northern Michigan 4 -- UW Drops Series Finale to Northern Michigan

• Ohio State 1, Miami 2 -- Frey Makes 60 Saves in 2-1 Buckeye Loss

• New Hampshire 1, Michigan 2 -- Two-Goal Second Period Carries U-M Past UNH

• Penn State 3, Alaska 4 -- Nanooks Roar Back to Down Nittany Lions, 4-3

Women's Scores From 10/17/14:

• Bemidji State 1, Ohio State 5

• Minnesota 4, Wisconsin 1

• Penn State 4, Union 1

Women's Scores From 10/18/14:

• Bemidji State 0, Ohio State 1

• Minnesota 2, Wisconsin 1 OT

• Penn State 2, Union 2 OT

Our Big Ten Wish List For 2014-15

Finally. Let the puck drop and let's get the season underway. Last year proved that the world didn't implode thanks to the newly elected conferences and the parity was a bit closer than most may have thought. And like all seasons last year was full of upsets and surprises much to the excitement of college hockey fans everywhere.

So what do we want to see in 2014-15? Here are a few thoughts that immediately come to mind:

Big Ten Media Day: Quotables

Big Ten Media Day invaded Joe Louis Arena Wednesday -- preparing the legendary home of the Detroit Red Wings for March's Big Ten Conference Championship.

Lots was learned and even some fun was had along the way. Here are a few of our favorite quotes from the day:

23 Big Ten Hockey Athletes Earn Distinguished Scholar Awards

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced on Wednesday that 683 student-athletes have earned the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award. The list includes student-athletes from every institution and 37 different sports who have recorded a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.7 or higher for the previous academic year.

  

Big Ten Faculty Representatives established the Distinguished Scholar Award in 2008 to supplement the Academic All-Big Ten program. Similar to the Academic All-Big Ten honor, Distinguished Scholar Award recipients must be letterwinners in at least their second academic year at their institution. However, the Distinguished Scholar Award encompasses only student-athletes with a minimum GPA of 3.7 or higher for the previous academic year, excluding summer school. The Academic All-Big Ten threshold is a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for a student-athlete’s academic career.

Michigan

Zach Hyman, So., Torono, Ontario, history major

Luke Moffatt, Sr., Paradise Valley, Ariz., business administration major