ECACHL Retains Commissioners' Cup

CCHA Holds Lead for Penultimate Day, But Yale Win Seals Successful ECACHL Title Defense

When Northern Michigan defeated Wayne State, 2-1, on Saturday evening, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association(CCHA) enjoyed a one-point lead over the defending champions from the ECAC Hockey League (ECACHL) in Year Two of the Commissioners' Cup Series. But there was one game left on the schedule. And so, when Yale downed Connecticut, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon in New Haven, the one-point lead -- and the Cup -- belonged to the ECACHL.

Here is a look at this past week's final Commissioners' Cup games:

Northern Michigan 2, Wayne State 1: The hosts from NMU enjoyed a 14-5 shooting edge in the second period, scoring the frame's only two goals en route to a 2-1 win over WSU before 2,971 at the Berry Events Center. Wayne State cut the lead to 2-1 midway through the final period but could not get any closer. Will Hooper had 30 saves for Wayne State; Bill Zaniboni had 20 for the victors, just 9 through the game's first 40 minutes.

Yale 4, Connecticut 3: An Ingalls Rink crowd of 3,155 turned out for this Super Bowl Sunday matinee, many of whom left with Yale ahead by 4-1 with just over four minutes to play. But the Huskies struck for two late goals - William Crum at 15:55 and Nick Schneider at 18:45 - to make things interesting and threaten the ECACHL hold on the Commissioners' Cup. But that's where the scoring ended as the Elis prevailed in this intra-state rivalry.

FINAL 2005-2006 COMMISSIONERS' CUP STANDINGS
1. ECAC Hockey League -- 11 GP, 7-4-0, 14 pts.
2. CCHA -- 11 GP, 6-4-1, 13 pts.
3. College Hockey America -- 11 GP, 5-5-1, 11 pts.
4. Atlantic Hockey -- 11 GP, 5-6-0, 10 pts.
5. WCHA -- 11 GP, 5-6-0, 10 pts.
6. Hockey East -- 11 GP, 4-7-0, 8 pts.