Faceoff Factor

NCAA Weekend Recap: Brawlin' Beanpot Edition

Andrew Chiappazzi | College/NCAA

Feb 11, 09:49 PM | Hype this story!

How fitting. On the weekend of the Beanpot final, we not only have a figurative brawl between #2 Michigan and #1 Miami in Oxford, Ohio, but we have a literal brawl.

Canisius and RIT got into it big time on Saturday night. You can get the details later on in this post. It includes a goalie fight.

As far as Miami/Michigan go, it was perhaps the most anti-climactic battle between two heavyweights in a long time. Michigan was in control the entire weekend, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first Friday night before holding on for a 4-2 win. Then, Saturday night, the Wolverines held on just enough to avoid coughing up a 5-3 lead, salvaging a 5-5 tie.

Michigan is now the undisputed #1 in multiple polls and will hold that ranking tomorrow in the Power Rankings.

As far as the Beanpot goes, you can follow the final here'); void(’‘);

Boston beat Northeastern in the consolation game. Boston College beat Harvard 7-2 the last time they faced each other.

The List:
Skater of the Weekend: Colin Wilson, Fr. F, Boston University.
Wilson has 29 points on the year, good for third on the struggling Terriers, and he potted six this weekend. Wilson scored two goals and had an assist Friday night versus Massachusetts-Lowell and then flipped his stats today against Northeastern in the Beanpot, notching a goal and two assists. With the attention on the departing Bryan Ewing and Pet MacArthur, as well as the overall struggles of the Terriers, Wilson continues to quietly be a nice find for Boston.

Goalie of the Weekend: Brian Stewart, So., Northern Michigan
Major points for Mr. Stewart for shutting down Michigan State. The defending champion Spartans are reeling, and Stewart kicked them further down the hill. Spartans have lost 3 of 4, and they can thank Stewart for two of those. The sophomore held MSU to one goal over two nights, stopping 52 of 53 shots. Northern Michigan won 3-0 and 3-1. Stewart was especially good in the two third periods, stopping 27 of 28 shots.

Brawlin’ Bruins Of The Weekend:
The Boston Bruins are known in hockey circles for being involved in some of the best all-time hockey brawls. While this one isn’t quite on par with some of the vintage 70s ear Bruins brawls, it gets points and recognition for occurring in college hockey, where there is no fighting and there is a heavy penalty for these types of actions between Canisius and RIT.

First, watch the brawl:
http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=kwWWx8yazFs

Now, here’s the explanation:
Apparently, Canisius didn’t like getting outplayed by the more-talented Tigers. RIT had a 31-14 shot edge through two periods and a physical game turned ugly. Canisius claims that what started as a bit of a discussion turned ugly after an unidentified RIT player suckerpunched a Griffins player. RIT says that the Griffins were looking for a rivalry and that the Tigers were merely defending themselves.

Whatever the explanation, the results are clear. First, it should be stated that the Sunday afternoon recap was intense but appeared to end without major incident despite 25 penalties. Certainly a far cry from the 54 penalties and 251 PIM sent out in the brawl. Besides the 13 ejections handed out, you can guarantee that the teams will suspend their players or handle discipline, and if they don’t, the Atlantic Hockey Association will.

Considering the handful of questionable events on the ice, the NCAA could severely reprimand both schools with fines or further suspensions.

Needless to say, it won’t impact tomorrow’s Power Rankings. Tune in then.