Around the Country - 10/15

Each week, the WCHA Blog will take a look at action from around the nation that doesn't involve WCHA teams.

The Boston College Eagles, expected by many to make a return trip to the Frozen Four, opened up their season in St. Paul at the Ice Breaker Invitation. On Friday afternoon, they found themselves unexpectedly trailing Michigan by a 3-1 score midway through the third period. The Eagles rallied to force overtime, but lost the game after a BC defenseman's failed clearing attempt hit off another BC players' skate and into the net. The bigger loss for the Eagles came in the form of junior Brock Bradford, who suffered a broken humerus and will be out until the second half of the season.

Michigan went on to lose to Minnesota in the championship game, played very well on the weekend and easily could have defeated the Gophers on Saturday night. Billy Sauer looked improved, which will likely be the key if Michigan hopes to succeed this year. Some of their freshmen -- particularly Matt Rust, Chad Langlais, and Carl Hagelin -- were very impressive.

The No. 4 Miami Redhawks got their season off to a positive start, sweeping Vermont at home, but lost senior center Nathan Davis to a separated shoulder. The team was unsure on when he'll be able to return to the ice. Shoreview-native Brian Kaufman had two points on the weekend for Miami.

In non-conference play, the Clarkson Golden Knights won a pair of games against Hockey East foes on home-ice. On Friday, they upended UMass by a 2-1 score, avenging their NCAA Tournament loss a season ago to the Minutemen. Then, on Saturday, David Leggio made 28 saves to blank Providence by a 2-0 score.

Notes: After losing to Wisconsin on Friday night, Notre Dame rebounded on Saturday night to defeat Mercyhurst by a 4-0 score ... Before tying Alaska Anchorage on Saturday night, Boston University lost to Robert Morris by a 3-2 score on Friday night. The Terriers outshot the Colonials by a 35-15 margin.