NCAA/USHS

Harvard Crimson 1 @ No. 14 Clarkson Golden Knights 0 (OT)

F Brian Hart, HAR: 0-1-1, +1, 0 PIM, 6 SOG
Season totals: 23 GP, 4-7-11, -3, 16 PIM
2012-2013 totals: 29 GP, 4-13-17, +1, 10 PIM

Hart was back on the top line for Harvard, and had the secondary assist on Jimmy Vesey’s game-winner in overtime. Vesey is a Preds prospect. Harvard was outshot, 31-17. Earlier this week Harvard beat Boston University 6-2 in the consolation game of the Beanpot Tournament. Hart had a goal.

Miami RedHawks 2 @ No. 17 North Dakota 3

F Jimmy Mullin, MIA: Did not play
Season totals: 19 GP, 1-6-7, +3, 23 PIM
2012-2013 totals: 38 GP, 6-8-14, E, 14 PIM

F Brendan O’Donnell, UND: 0-0-0, E, 3 SOG
Season totals: 20 GP, 4-4-8, -2, 6 PIM
2012-2013 totals: 29 GP, 2-8-10, E, 20 PIM

UND skated out to a 3-0 lead over struggling Miami, then hung on for a 3-2 win. Miami cut the lead to 3-2 with 30 seconds left in the game. Jimmy Mullin was scratched for Miami.

No. 4 Quinnipiac Bobcats 4 @ No. 13 Yale Bulldogs 0

F Matthew Peca, QU: 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 4 SOG
Season totals: 31 GP, 10-15-25, +6, 16 PIM
2013-2014 totals: 39 GP, 15-15-30, +14, 36 PIM

Peca had his three-game goal streak snapped in a shutout win over Yale.

No. 10 Michigan Wolverines 3 @ No. 2 Minnesota Golden Gophers 5

G Adam Wilcox, MIN: Win, 35 saves on 38 shots
Season totals: 28 GP, 19-4-5, 2.01 GAA, .930 sv%, 3 SO
2012-2013 totals: 39 GP, 25-8-5, 1.88 GAA, .921 sv%, 3 SO

Minnesota had a 4-1 lead, but needed a late goal to comfortably put away the visiting Wolverines in a Big 10 match-up. Minnesota fell to No. 2 in the USCHO rankings after holding the top spot for a few months. Boston College is the new No. 1.

*USCHO poll used

We continue our Prospect of the Week award, an honor (virtually) given to one Tampa Bay Lightning prospect for their recent contributions on and off the ice.

The Prospect of the Week for February 10, 2014 is … Matt Peca, C, Quinnipiac Bobcats (NCAA – USA).

Matt Peca was one of the best-kept secrets in the NCAA until his natural hat trick last year in the East Regional Finals.

As the 2013-2014 collegiate hockey season got underway, much was expected from the junior forward. He was coming off an excellent post-season and regular season in which he had 15 goals and 15 assists. Many thought Peca would challenge for the Hobey Baker as the NCAA’s top player, but Peca found himself in a little different role.

Western Michigan Broncos 3 @ Miami RedHawks 2

F Jimmy Mullin, MIA: Did not play
Season totals: 19 GP, 1-6-7, +3, 23 PIM
2012-2013 totals: 38 GP, 6-8-14, E, 14 PIM

Jimmy Mullin was a scratch for Miami. WMU completed the 2-game weekend sweep of Miami.

Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks 6 @ No. 16 North Dakota 3

F Brendan O’Donnell, UND: 0-0-0, -2, 0 SOG
Season totals: 19 GP, 4-4-8, -2, 6 PIM
2012-2013 totals: 29 GP, 2-8-10, E, 20 PIM

UNO coach Dean Blais, former head coach of North Dakota, was ejected from the game.

St. Lawrence Saints 3 @ No. 3 Quinnipiac Bobcats 2

F Matthew Peca, QU: 1-0-1, -1, 0 PIM, 5 SOG
Season totals: 30 GP, 10-15-25, +6, 16 PIM
2013-2014 totals: 39 GP, 15-15-30, +14, 36 PIM

Peca scored for the third straight game, but it wasn’t enough to lift the Bobcats to a home win over unranked St. Lawrence.

*USCHO poll used

Dartmouth Big Green 0 @ Harvard Crimson 3

F Brian Hart, HAR: 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 0 SOG
Season totals: 21 GP, 2-7-9, -6, 16 PIM
2012-2013 totals: 29 GP, 4-13-17, +1, 10 PIM

Hart started the game on the top line for the Crimson, who shut out visiting Dartmouth, 3-0.

Western Michigan Broncos 5 @ Miami RedHawks 2

F Jimmy Mullin, MIA: Did not play
Season totals: 19 GP, 1-6-7, +3, 23 PIM
2012-2013 totals: 38 GP, 6-8-14, E, 14 PIM

Jimmy Mullin was a scratch for Miami. Former Lightning camper Austin Czarnik – a junior free agent – had two assists for the RedHawks.

Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks 2 @ No. 16 North Dakota 4

F Brendan O’Donnell, UND: 1-0-1, +1, 3 SOG
Season totals: 18 GP, 4-4-8, E, 6 PIM
2012-2013 totals: 29 GP, 2-8-10, E, 20 PIM

O’Donnell played wing next to Panthers pick Rocco Grimaldi and scored his fourth goal of the year.

No. 14 Clarkson Golden Knights 3 @ No. 3 Quinnipiac Bobcats 6

F Matthew Peca, QU: 2-1-3, +3, 0 PIM, 4 SOG
Season totals: 29 GP, 9-15-24, +7, 16 PIM
2013-2014 totals: 39 GP, 15-15-30, +14, 36 PIM

Peca had three points for the second consecutive games as the Bobcats handled the Knights, 6-3, on ESPN3. I caught the second half of the third period, just in time for Peca’s shorthanded assist. He intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and carried the puck straight at a defenseman in the slot. He tried a one-on-one move, but the puck was knocked behind him. Kellen Jones picked up the loose puck and wristed home a shot under the crossbar. The announcers talked about Peca’s abilities and how “yeah, he’s good” and “he’ll go pro” in a “isn’t it obvious” kind of way. They also joked that they’d tell friend Steve Thomas of the Lightning that Peca needs to stay in Connecticut for another year.

No. 1 Minnesota Golden Gophers 1 @ No. 12 Wisconsin Badgers 2

G Adam Wilcox, MIN: Loss, 25 saves on 27 shots
Season totals: 27 GP, 18-4-5, 1.97 GAA, .930 sv%, 3 SO
2012-2013 totals: 39 GP, 25-8-5, 1.88 GAA, .921 sv%, 3 SO

For the second straight night, Wisconsin got a third period goal to beat the top-ranked Gophers, 2-1.

*USCHO poll used

No. 1 Minnesota Golden Gophers 1 @ No. 12 Wisconsin Badgers 2

G Adam Wilcox, MIN: Loss, 17 saves on 19 shots
Season totals: 26 GP, 18-3-5, 1.97 GAA, .930 sv%, 3 SO
2012-2013 totals: 39 GP, 25-8-5, 1.88 GAA, .921 sv%, 3 SO

Sorry, Adam. Our reigning Prospect of the Week, who we lauded for not having lost in regulation since before Thanksgiving, dropped a close match in Madison on Thursday night. The Badgers only managed three shots in the third period, but one beat Wilcox for the game-winner. Minnesota had 40 of 50 first place votes in the last USCHO poll. Boston College is No. 2.

*USCHO poll used