As the kids these days like to say — we are so back.
The NCAA hockey season is in full swing already, everyone. And so, as the calendar flips to November, I’m here to review everything from October in Hockey East. We’ve had exciting moments, fun individual performances, and just about all you can ask for from the start of a season.
If you’re new here, welcome. If you’re not new, you know what’s in store below. So what are we waiting for?
Featured series: Vermont generates noise after meetings with Minnesota-Duluth…
Coming into the year, I was high on UVM. The Catamounts retained multiple players who played massive roles on the team last year, and so continued success seemed likely.
The first weekend of the season, my decision felt even better. Vermont opened the 2026-27 slate with a shutout victory over the Duluth Bulldogs. It was their first season-opening win over a top-10 opponent since 2014. The 3-0 victory was hard fought by both teams, with the Bulldogs actually outshooting Vermont 36-27 by the end of it all.
Tara Bach, making her first start with UVM since transferring, was the real hero of it all. The sophomore was perfect in the victory, and has been a standout so far for the Cats. The 36 saves set a career-high for the netminder, and it definitely started her season out on the right note.
Morgann Skoda, Stella Retrum, and Kaylee Lewis (on the power play) were the three goal scorers for Vermont that afternoon. Skoda in particular is still one of the top scorers for UVM, with five points through the first few weeks.
Following the weekend against UMD, there have been some growing pains for the Catamounts, as they enter November on a four-game losing streak. However, the statement win over Duluth sets the tone for the year, in my opinion, and I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Vermont just yet.
…while BC makes a statement, shutting out Cornell
In the reverse of Vermont, I had a lot of questions for the Eagles before the season started, mainly because of the loss of Grace Campbell, who graduated in the spring.
BC’s response has been to play some incredibly strong hockey thus far.
The Eagles enter November with a 6-3-0 record, including a sweep of the aforementioned Catamounts and an impressive shutout victory of their own over then-No. 12-ranked Cornell.
In the 2-0 win, BC was outshot 39-30, and won only 25 of 59 faceoffs. However, outstanding performances from the freshmen carried them. Netminder Avah Sedore, and a power play goal from Sarah Powers — who just did not give up on the play — led BC to the win over the Big Red.
Cornell, in recent memory, has been one of the stronger offensive teams in the NCAA. Case in point: In the following game, they scored five on Boston College. So, to see BC perform the way they did, and to see the success Sedore and Powers in particular have had in their first month of NCAA action, it bodes well for the Eagles’ success the rest of the season.
Special shoutouts: first wins for many
Obviously with a new season comes the many “firsts” athletes may have. Their first point, first win, first goal, etc.
But this season, it’s not just the players on the ice — it is also their leaders off of it who are reaching those milestones.
The first of the three new head coaches in Hockey East to record their first win was Courtney Kennedy. The Warriors skated to a 3-0 victory at home over Lindenwood on Sept. 25, just their second game of the season. Going into November, MC is 4-5-0, and has recorded their first conference win already. Please keep in mind that didn’t happen until January last season. The feat came on the last day of the month, with a 3-2 win over UNH on the road — also the first road win for Kennedy with the Warriors.
Not to be outdone, Nicole Norton also recorded her first win as head coach at Providence on Sept. 25. The interim leader and her Friars opened their season with a 4-2 win over Sacred Heart. They sit at 4-6-0 heading into the second month of play. Their first conference win of the year was a wild 3-2 OT win over Boston College. And, they’re currently in tie for third place in HEA with five points already this season.
Finally is Alex Gettens and the Maine Black Bears, who recorded their first win of the season over St. Lawrence on Oct. 1. The first few weeks were tough for Maine, but they enter November having won three of their last four contests, including most recently a 3-1 victory over Providence.
Congratulations to all three head coaches and their programs on these important milestones thus far.
And the 400th win for one
While the new blood in the conference is on the up and up, there are still the long-time coaches continuing their success with their programs. That includes Northeastern’s Dave Flint, who on Oct. 17 recorded his 400th win with the program. The Huskies are off to a strong start in 2026-27, including that 400th win for Flint, which came against a critical opponent: top-5 ranked Quinnipiac.
Monthly awards
For those of you who have been here awhile, you know I like to do awards for the players I think deserve attention who weren’t honored by the conference. The players emphasized in my piece are ones who had strong months, but did not get the recognition they deserved — at least in my opinion.
This year, I want to do things a little differently from last. Instead of doing monthly awards, I’m going to save my thoughts for after the semester is over. In December, we’ll do a check-in on some players who at the halfway point are playing strong hockey, and who I believe are in contention for the player of the year award. Be sure to keep an eye out for that then.
If you’re looking for Hockey East’s monthly awards, you can find them on their website.
Over in Denmark…
A collection of Hockey East talent is set to play at the World Championships in Denmark starting Nov. 6. The seven players are listed below on their various squads.
Austria: Anna Billa (D, Holy Cross) Emma Pfeffer (F, Merrimack), Emma Hofbauer (F, Providence)
Czechia: Anežka Čabelová (F, BU)
Switzerland: Alessia Baechler (D, Northeastern), Ivana Wey (F, Northeastern), Naemi Herzig (F, Holy Cross)
What comes next
The bulk of Hockey East play now begins, with three straight weeks of strictly conference play. In November we’ll see some highly anticipated matchups.
First is UConn and Boston College, who open the month for HEA. UConn has struggled to start the season, something we haven’t seen them do in a few years. BC, on the other hand, is off to that rip roaring start. The first game of the series has already been completed. Game two however is set for 6 PM on Friday, Nov. 6 in Storrs, CT.
New Hampshire and Vermont will get their first action against one another this season on the 12th and 13th in Durham. The teams split their weekend series in the fall last year. Then, Vermont secured a crazy OT victory the last weekend of the season to keep themselves out of the tournament opening round. It should be another fun contest between the two squads. — Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6 PM EST | Friday, Nov. 13 at 2 PM EST
Right before Thanksgiving we’ll see two series between teams that ended their opponent season in the spring.
Holy Cross will take on New Hampshire for the first time since their quarterfinal tilt in the spring. — Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7 PM EST at HC | Friday, Nov. 20 at 6 PM EST at UNH
That same weekend, Boston University heads to Providence to play the Friars for the first time since the opening round in February. — Friday, Nov. 20 at 11 AM EST at PC | Saturday, Nov. 21st at 4 PM EST at BU
Getting into the non-conference section on the last weekend, there’s plenty of fun to be had. First Boston College will meet Penn State at the DI in DC tournament. The Eagles and Nittany Lions will play at the MedStar Capitals IcePlex in Arlington, VA. BC then plays Princeton in the same facility the next day. — Friday, Nov. 27 at 5 PM EST | Saturday, Nov. 28 at 2 PM EST
UConn will play Sacred Heart in the first round of the Nutmeg Classic Friday as well, hosted this season by Quinnipiac. The Huskies will then play either QU or Yale the following day. — Friday, Nov. 27 at 6:30 PM EST | Saturday, Nov. 28 Time TBD
In Lake Placid, Merrimack takes on St. Lawrence for two games at Herb Brooks Arena. The Warriors play on both Friday and Saturday at 12 PM EST.
And finally, Northeastern makes the journey back to New York once again, this time to play Cornell. — Saturday, Nov. 28 at 4 PM | Sunday, Nov. 29 at 2 PM
Standings update (through games on Oct. 31)
Official, up-to-date standings are available here.
1. Boston College — 13 Points | 5 GP, 4-1-0 record
2. Northeastern — 12 Points | 4 GP, 4-0-0 record
- 7-1-1 overall record
- No. 4 in the USCHO and USA Today Polls
T3. Providence — 5 Points | 4 GP, 2-2-0 record
- 4-6-0 overall record
T3. Boston University — 5 Points | 4 GP, 1-2-1 record
- 2-7-1 overall record
T3. UConn — 5 Points | 2 GP, 1-0-1 record
- 4-4-2 overall record
- No. 13 in the USCHO and USA Today Polls
6. New Hampshire — 4 Points | 4 GP, 2-1-2 record
- 6-5-1 overall record
T7. Maine — 3 Points | 2 GP, 1-1-o record
- 4-6-0 overall record
T7. Merrimack — 3 Points | 3 GP, 1-2-0 record
- 4-5-0 overall record
9. Holy Cross — 1 Point | 4 GP, 0-3-1 record
- 2-5-4 overall record
10. Vermont — 0 Points | 2 GP, 0-2-0 record
- 3-5-0 overall record
- Receiving Votes in the USCHO and USA Today Polls
All Hockey East games are available to stream on ESPN+ in the U.S. and HockeyEast.tv internationally. For more NCAA coverage be sure to check out theixsports.com now.
