New England Hockey Journal’s RinkWise

Previewing the MIAA State Championships

Evan and Pat preview the MIAA State Championships, scheduled for Sunday. They discuss the format of the preview, likening it to their 'Rinkwise' podcast, and emphasize the appeal of concise and direct coverage. The preview covers multiple divisions, starting with the Division 4 boys' matchup between Winthrop and Dedham, analyzing their paths to the final. They move on to the Division 1 girls' game, highlighting the journey of top-seeded Hingham and underdog Bishop Stang, and consider the potential for an upset. The Division 1 boys' final between St. John Shrewsbury and Catholic Memorial (CM) presents a similar narrative of an unexpected finalist versus a dominant favorite. Division 2 boys see Billerica facing Canton, both teams with impressive seasons, followed by Division 3 boys' clash between Nauset and Medfield, illustrating Nauset's dominance. Finally, they preview the Division 2 girls' game between Milton and Medfield, noting Medfield's impressive run as a lower seed. Throughout, the hosts reflect on past tournament experiences, the impact of team momentum, and the excitement of unexpected matchups in the championship.
 
Topics
00:43 MIAA State Championships Preview
02:02 Division 4 Boys Championship Preview
03:36 Division 1 Girls Championship Preview
07:07 Division 1 Boys Championship Preview
13:11 Division 2 Boys Championship Preview
15:17 Division 3 Boys Championship Preview
18:09 Division 2 Girls Championship Preview
21:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

NEPSAC Boys Hockey Championship Takeaways

Pat and Evan provide a detailed recap of the boys prep hockey championship games. Key highlights include Cushing's dramatic 4-3 victory over Dexter in the Elite Eight, Andover's commanding 4-1 win over Westminster in the large school bracket, and Kimball Union's 5-3 triumph over Berkshire in the small school final. The episode delves into critical moments, standout players, and season trajectories for the teams, emphasizing Cushing's underdog story and the exceptional performances of individual athletes across all games. The discussion also touches on Cushing's improbable rise and key strategic elements in Andover and Kimball Union's wins.
Topics
00:55 Cushing vs. Dexter: An All-Time Classic
01:35 Cushing's Remarkable Journey to the Elite Eight Title
03:14 Key Moments and Players in the Cushing vs. Dexter Game
06:56 Andover vs. Westminster: Large School Championship Recap
11:05 Kimball Union vs. Berkshire: Small School Championship Recap
14:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

NEPSAC Girls Hockey Championship Takeaways

Evan and Pat recap the NEPSAC Girls Championships, highlighting three thrilling games that took place at Taft on Sunday. Loomis Chaffee triumphed over Phillips Andover in an intense Elite Eight final, characterized by heavy penalties and relentless gameplay. Deerfield claimed victory against Tabor in the large school bracket, powered by a solid performance from goalie Campbell Croate. New Hampton secured their third consecutive title in the small school bracket by defeating St. Mark's, with standout performances from both teams. The hosts also reflect on the unexpected results and overarching themes of the tournament, noting the depth and competitiveness across all brackets.
Topics
00:38 Elite Eight Championship Recap
04:32 Andover's Surprising Path
06:32 Large School Bracket Highlights
09:20 Small School Bracket Dominance
11:41 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Breaking Down the NEPSAC Girls' Hockey Brackets

Evan and Pat discuss the freshly released NEPSAC Girls' Hockey Brackets. They review and analyze the seedings, highlighting late-season drama and upsets, significant team performances, and critical matchups. Notable teams and players are discussed, including the unexpected rise and falls of teams like Groton, Thayer, and New Hampton. They go further into detailing the Elite Eight, Large School, and Small School brackets, providing insights and predictions for each game while emphasizing key players and strategies. 
 
Topics
 
00:00 Introduction to NEPSAC Girls Brackets
00:21 Surprises and Drama in Seedings
01:38 Elite Eight Matchups Breakdown
07:50 Large School Bracket Analysis
13:17 Small School Bracket Insights
17:58 Conclusion and Upcoming Content

NEPSAC Boys Playoffs: Elite Eight Breakdown and Bold Predictions

Pat and Evan delve into the excitement of the boys NEPSAC playoffs, examining the results, standings, and potential outcomes. They discuss significant matches, such as Westminster's upset over Belmont Hill, and analyze Elite Eight matchups including Deerfield vs. Nobles, St. Mark's vs. Rivers, Dexter vs. Salisbury, and Cushing vs. Brunswick. Evan offers insights into potential game-changers and makes bold predictions, emphasizing his gut feeling that Salisbury will upset Dexter. The discussion extends to the large school and small school brackets, highlighting teams like Kent, Avon Old Farms, Phillips Andover, and Holderness, and predicting potential upsets in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals. The episode sets the stage for a dramatic week in prep hockey, with promises of further predictions and reactions as the playoffs unfold.
 
Topics
 
00:00 Introduction to the Playoffs
00:23 Elite Eight Drama Unfolds
01:32 Matchup Analysis: Deerfield vs. Nobles
02:22 Matchup Analysis: St. Mark's vs. Rivers
03:35 Matchup Analysis: Dexter vs. Salisbury
04:52 Matchup Analysis: Cushing vs. Brunswick
07:18 Large School Bracket Insights
11:03 Small School Bracket Breakdown
13:08 Bold Predictions and Final Thoughts
14:26 Conclusion and Upcoming Coverage

MIAA Tourney Predictions: Can the Elite 8 Field Change?

Evan and Pat delve into the excitement of the prep hockey playoffs and break down their predictions for both boys and girls divisions. They discuss key matchups, highlight potential upsets, and analyze the paths for top seeds. The conversation also explores the historical context and current form of various teams. Additionally, the episode features a fun segment where the hosts review and rate famous NHL broadcast calls, reminiscing about some of hockey's most iconic moments. The episode concludes with a detailed debate on playoff dynamics and a look ahead to upcoming games.
 
Topics
 
01:00 Prep Playoffs Overview
02:19 Boys Prep Predictions
03:51 Elite Eight Contenders
06:48 Potential Spoilers and Key Players
16:35 Girls Prep Playoff Picture
24:59 MIA Boys Bracket Breakdown
38:18 MIA Girls Division 1 Insights
38:41 The Importance of Vibes in Analysis
38:50 Breaking Down the North Andover Quadrant
39:13 Hingham's Path to the Final Four
39:35 Belmont vs. Arlington Catholic: A Close Matchup
39:48 Redding's Momentum and Hingham's Strength
40:24 NDA's Journey Through the Bracket
41:29 Malden Catholic's Tough Road
42:30 Methuen Tewksbury's Defensive Prowess
43:32 Final Four Predictions
43:33 HPNA's Challenging Path
46:20 Division 2 Predictions
52:03 Overtime: Memorable Hockey Calls

The Latest on Prep, MIAA Tourneys

Evan and Pat discuss recent girls prep hockey results and key matchups. They highlight notable games like Williston's victory over Andover and speculate about playoff seedings. The conversation then shifts to Boys Prep hockey, analyzing teams on the cusp of the Elite Eight like Cushing and Andover. The discussion also covers upcoming crucial matches and possible tournament outcomes. Evan and Pat then engage in a debate comparing soccer and hockey across several categories, including equipment cost, popularity, and signature moments. They conclude with a preview of the high school state playoffs, focusing on both boys and girls teams to watch as the postseason approaches.
 
Topics
 
00:55 Girls Prep Hockey Highlights
01:43 Williston vs. Andover Analysis
05:12 Elite Eight Playoff Projections
12:20 Cushing's Playoff Push
18:14 Kimball Union's Struggles
23:57 Upcoming Key Matchups
26:55 MIAA Bracket Release
28:46 Big Wins and Power Rankings
29:19 Top Teams and Tournament Predictions
30:42 Belmont and Arlington Discussion
31:46 Girls MIAA Power Rankings
32:29 Hingham Showcase Highlights
38:11 Young Talent in MIAA
40:12 Overtime: Soccer vs. Hockey
49:35 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Elite 8, MIAA Tourneys Update

Evan and Pat dive deep into recent hockey events and upcoming playoff scenarios. The duo discusses the significance of the recent Boston University Beanpot win and the implications for local stars like Cole Iserman and James Higgins. The conversation shifts to an in-depth analysis of both boys' and girls' prep hockey power rankings, focusing on the Elite Eight and projected playoff seedings. They also explore notable prep careers, such as Brian Day's upcoming retirement. The MIAA playoff outlook for both boys' and girls' divisions is examined, identifying key teams, potential spoilers, and standout players. The episode concludes with a light-hearted overtime segment featuring fun questions about NHL traditions, favorite outdoor hockey experiences, and jersey mishaps.
 
Topics
 
00:25 BU Beanpot Victory Recap
03:08 Discussion on College Hockey Players
05:38 Boys Prep Hockey Playoff Picture
17:54 Girls Prep Hockey Playoff Picture
28:56 Upcoming MIA Championships
29:41 Nostalgic Weekend at Home
29:50 Boys Power Rankings Breakdown
32:22 Catholic Conference Teams Analysis
33:57 Public Schools in the Tournament
34:50 Belmont's Top Line and Goalie
39:39 Girls Division One Rankings
43:15 Girls Division Two Rankings
49:33 Overtime Questions and Wrap-Up
52:16 Outdoor Hockey Traditions
54:20 Favorite Hockey Uniforms

Where Things Stand with the MIAA Tournament

Evan and Pat delve into reactions and analysis from the latest Beanpot tournament games, discussing disappointments and highlights. They also explore the emerging talents and performances in both boys and girls prep school hockey, highlighting teams like Deerfield, Dexter, and Groton. The discussion extends to MIAA boys and girls hockey, identifying top teams and potential surprises for the upcoming tournaments. The episode concludes with a fun 'Would You Rather' segment where Evan and Patrick debate hypothetical hockey career scenarios.
 
Topics
00:24 Beanpot Tournament Recap
02:03 Local Players Shine at Beanpot
02:33 Youth Involvement in Beanpot
05:43 Boys Prep Hockey Highlights
07:33 Deerfield's Strong Season
09:38 Elite Eight Projections
14:32 Girls Prep Hockey Update
17:02 Deerfield and BBN Girls Teams
18:47 Analyzing the Elite Eight Prospects
20:02 Groton's Impressive Comeback
20:52 Top Teams and Tournament Predictions
22:36 MIA Boys Hockey Highlights
23:50 Belmont's Potential in the Tournament
29:27 MIA Girls Hockey Overview
33:17 Overtime: Would You Rather?
40:05 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

Elite 8 Forecast One Month Out

Host Evan Marinofsky and co-host Patrick Donnelly dive into several key topics. They recap the Ed Burns tournament, highlighting notable games and player performances. They then transition to forecast the Elite Eight for both boys and girls prep hockey, analyzing current standings, pivotal upcoming games, and potential upsets. The conversation also touches on the large and small school brackets and teams poised to make an impact. The episode concludes with a fun segment called Overtime, featuring memorable hockey quotes and the hosts' reactions to them.
 
Topics
 
00:25 Flu Shots and CVS Experiences
01:45 Hockey Season Overview
02:15 Ed Burns Tournament Recap
03:14 Braintree vs. Reading Analysis
07:25 Hingham vs. Winchester Breakdown
09:41 Belmont's Top Line and Tournament Potential
12:52 Arlington's Dominant Performance
15:04 Girls Prep Hockey: Williston vs. Dexter
18:36 Elite Eight Forecasting
25:28 Tabor's Tough Schedule and Future Prospects
25:48 Boys Elite Eight Rankings Breakdown
26:19 St. Mark's Impressive Performance
27:42 Dexter and Avon's Dominance
28:11 Salisbury's Remarkable Turnaround
28:50 Cushing's Mixed Results
29:10 Potential Elite Eight Contenders
31:04 Large and Small School Tournament Insights
36:17 Overtime: Best Hockey Quotes
45:10 Conclusion and Upcoming Events