Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) unpack the February 18, 2026 Bracketology column on USCHO.com with this weekly episode of Bracketology XTRA.

Here is this week's updated bracket:

LOVELAND REGION

Michigan State (1)
Denver
Minnesota Duluth
Bentley (AHA rep)

WORCESTER REGION

Western Michigan (4)
Penn State
Connecticut
Boston College

SIOUX FALLS REGION

North Dakota (3)
Quinnipiac
Dartmouth
Wisconsin

ALBANY REGION

Michigan (2)
Providence
Cornell
St. Thomas

For details on how this bracket was put together, visit this week's column at https://www.uscho.com/2026/02/18/bracketology-an-attendance-swap-that-is-a-must/

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

In the NPI, four teams from the CCHA stand at Nos. 16 through 19: Minnesota State, Augustana, Michigan Tech, and Bowling Green, with many games against each other. What does each team need to do to be in position for an at-large NCAA bid?

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

In our first segment, we look at some sweeps and five-point weekends. North Dakota, Denver, and Western Michigan got NCHC sweeps while Michigan in the Big Ten and UConn in Hockey East picked up five.

In our second segment, we discuss the implications of a late-season bye week as four top-20 teams had last weekend off.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) unpack the February 11, 2026 Bracketology column on USCHO.com with this weekly episode of Bracketology XTRA.

Here is this week's updated bracket:


LOVELAND REGION

1) Michigan State (1 overall)
4) Bentley (AHA rep)

2) Cornell
3) Denver (host)

WORCESTER REGION

1) Michigan (2)
4) Connecticut

2) Dartmouth
3) Minnesota Duluth

SIOUX FALLS REGION

1) North Dakota (3)
4) Wisconsin

2) Providence
3) Quinnipiac

ALBANY REGION

1) Western Michigan (4)
4) St. Thomas

2) Penn State
3) Boston College


For details on how this bracket was put together, visit this week's column at https://www.uscho.com/2026/02/11/bracketology-a-new-no-1-and-some-attendance-concerns

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour


Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

We look at seven teams on either side of the bubble and play buy or sell on whether they'll be in the NCAA tournament: UConn, Boston College, Quinnipiac, Minnesota State, Wisconsin, Miami, and St. Thomas.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

In our first segment: Michigan and Michigan State had their big two-game showdown, Providence has made it nine in a row, Bentley is inching toward an AHA regular-season title, and the CCHA is in a squeeze for the top. It's also Beanpot final Monday, McKenna's felony charge was dropped, and Gotkin hits a milestone.

In our second segment: Looking at teams under pressure, including Wisconsin, Minnesota Duluth, Western Michigan, and Augustana.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

Jim and Ed recap the latest information on the Gavin McKenna legal charges made on Wednesday and Derek joins them to discuss from a coach's perspective.

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) unpack the January 28, 2026 Bracketology column on USCHO.com with this weekly episode Bracketology XTRA.

Here is this week's updated bracket:

ALBANY REGION

1) Michigan (1 overall)
4) Bentley (AHA representative)

2) Minnesota Duluth
3) Quinnipiac

WORCESTER REGION

1) Western Michigan (4)
4) St. Thomas

2) Penn State
3) Boston College

SIOUX FALLS REGION

1) North Dakota (3)
4) Wisconsin

2) Providence
3) Dartmouth

LOVELAND REGION

1) Michigan State (2)
4) Augustana

2) Cornell
3) Denver (host)


For details on how this bracket was put together, visit this week's column at https://www.uscho.com/2026/02/04/bracketology-what-happens-if-attendance-isnt-the-priority

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour


Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) look at sometimes controversial or overlooked topics in our midweek episode called Upon Further Review.

Teams near the top of the NPI are still not 100% in the NCAA tournament, though many are close. We look at the NPI and discuss which teams near the top are bubble-proof, bubble-steady, bubble-fragile ... or on life support.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly), Derek Schooley (@derekschooley), and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) review games of the weekend and news of the past week.

Michigan and Michigan State each had five-point weekends to keep pace in the Big Ten – including an OT win for the Spartans over Penn State at a spectacular outdoor game at Beaver Stadium – while Wisconsin's losing streak reached six. Denver rebounded against Minnesota Duluth, while Dartmouth returned to winning ways and Boston College took the 299th Battle of Commonwealth Avenue over Boston University.

We also look how leagues have shifted overall in the NPI and at individual teams that have moved up the most.

This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Frozen Four, April 9 and 11 in Las Vegas. Tickets: https://ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Find all of our podcasts at USCHO.com/podcasts