USCHO Weekend Review

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

Four western No. 1 seeds and some pretty good attendance possibilities highlight this week's bracket:

ALBANY REGION

1) Michigan (1 overall)
4) Bentley

2) Michigan State
3) Cornell

WORCESTER REGION

1) Minnesota Duluth (4)
4) Providence

2) Western Michigan
3) Quinnipiac

SIOUX FALLS REGION

1) North Dakota (2)
4) Princeton

2) Penn State
3) Augustana

LOVELAND REGION

1) Wisconsin (3)
4) St. Thomas

2) Dartmouth
3) Denver


For details on how this bracket was put together, visit this week's column at https://www.uscho.com/2026/01/15/bracketology-all-eyes-on-attendance-when-building-brackets

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 discuss the impacts of No. 1 Michigan losing star freshman goalie Jack Ivankovic possibly long-term and Providence losing senior starter Philip Svedeback but adding ECHL goaltender Michael Simpson to support freshman Jack Parsons.

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.

This episode discusses Michigan's dominating performance against Notre Dame despite key injuries, Minnesota Duluth's surprising offense, Western Michigan's resurgence, and key wins for Quinnipiac and Providence. The team also dives deep into the NPI and how it compares to the old PairWise system.

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.

One month after our first analysis of the NPI, we compare and contrast the teams "inside the bubble" in each, and look at which teams are pretty safe and which have work to do.

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.

They note that St. Cloud State and Arizona State got boosts to their season with tournament wins, while RIT and Army West Point pulled off upsets. Maine's strong weekend at Denver is also among games highlighted.

They also look at disappointing results for the U.S. and Canada in the IIHF World Junior Championship and the pressure on players on that stage.

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.

They discuss the long semester break in college hockey and the impact of players participating in the IIHF World Junior Championshiop and the Spengler Cup, and tackle the question about whether the break is too long.

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.

First they catch up on the IIHF World Junior Championship with USA at 3-0-0-0 heading into its New Year's Eve game with Sweden, and on Canada and its college hockey representation. They also note what could be some attendance issues for non-USA games.

They also look at the Spengler Cup, where the U.S. Collegiate Selects surprised the world, but were disappointed in a 6-3 loss to HC Davos.

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 this episode, we look at five categories of superlatives: team of the first half, biggest plot twist, most worrisome big brand, most under-the-radar team, and prediction we each feel best about for 2026.

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.

First, they discuss the emotional farewell to Matthews Arena, highlighting its historical significance and the challenges faced in replacing such an iconic venue. The conversation shifts to the implications for Northeastern's hockey team during the construction of a new arena, including potential impacts on recruiting and game locations.

They also note some weekend performances, including key games for Dartmouth, UNH, Maine, and Augustana.

The episode concludes with an analysis of the current NPI standings, exploring the potential tournament bids for teams across different conferences, and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the Big Ten, NCHC, ECAC, and Hockey East.

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 this episode, we look at teams that are ranked in the USCHO poll much lower than in the NPI and also the opposite, the teams poll voters love but the computer doesn't. We give our take on which is closer at assessing the teams at the season's midpoint.

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