From Friday's USA Today: (I'm sending this on Friday a.m. I have a feeling that there may be a problem w/ my Internet access, so I apologize if this doesn't get posted until later.) _Boston U. favored for another banner season_ "Terriers look to injured goalie for inspiration" The main performer at Boston University's banner-hoisting celebration Sunday will be a man who isn't supposed to be there, or anywhere else for a long while. Goaltender J.P. McKersie will raise the Hockey East tournament championship banner at sold-out Walter Brown Arena three months after a bicycle accident nearly took his life. "It's an absolute miracle," says Boston University sports information director Ed Carpenter. "The rehabilitaion was supposed to have taken six to nine months. Instead, it has taken six to nine weeks." McKersie, from Madison, Wis., slammed into a stationary car the night of July 27. He suffered extensive internal and head injuries and was in a coma for several days before being sent home to Wisconsin to recuperate. Much to the surprise of doctors, McKersie's recovery has been so rapid that he will be allowed to return to school in January and begin rehabilitation toward resuming his college career in 1995-96. He has been given a medical redshirt for this season. Sunday's game against Maine is a key one for the Terriers, who are No. 1 in most polls. Derek Herlofsky, who shared goaltending duties with McKersie last season, now begins the Hockey East season as the clear-cut No. 1. __________________________________ League capsules: _Hockey East_ Overview: Boston University probably has the best talent in college hockey. Maine is still under NCAA investigation. Coach Shawn Walsh lost leading scorer Mike Latendresse when the NCAA disallowed a redshirt-year claim. Paul Pooley takes over as Providence coach after serving as assistant at Lake Superior State. Look for him to make Providence a power by stressing team defense. Players to watch: BU C Jacques Joubert (20-24-44) and LW Jay Pandolfo (17-25- 42); Maine D Chris Imes (played last season for U.S. Olympic team); Providence C Chad Quennville (22-18-40); Mass.-Lowell C Greg Bullock (24-35- 59); Northeastern RW J.F. Aube (28-15-43). Flashy Freshmen: Boston University C Chris Drury, brother of Hartford Whalers C Ted Drury, and D Jeff Kealty, a Quebec Nordiques' first-rounder; Mass.- Amherst D Tom O'Connor. P.S.: Maine, NCAA champion two years ago, doesn't have one returning forward who scored 10 goals last year. ___________________________________________ _WCHA_ Overview: St. Cloud was picked by the coaches as the conference's No. 1 team in the preseason. But Minnesota has excellent goaltending in Jeff Moen and Jeff Callinan and plenty of depth. Also, Colorado College coach Don Lucia has done a first-rate job of making the Tigers believe they can be contenders. Arrival of coach George Gwozdecky, previously of Miami(Ohio), should help the Denver program. Minnesota-Duluth has already lost defenseman Rick Mrozik to a broken leg. He is out indefinitely. Players to watch: Col. College C Jay McNeil (25-19-44), North Dakota RW Landon Wilson (18-15-33), whose rights were traded to the Quebec Nordiques in June; Minnesota C Brian Bonin (24-20-44); Alaska-Anchorage G Lee Schill (13- 15-2, 3.46 goals-against avg.). Key freshman: North Dakota F Ryan Johnson, younger brother of Detroit Red Wings F Greg Johnson. P.S.: Colorado College's first-place finish was its first since 1957. _____________________________________________ I'll send the CCHA and the ECAC a little later. Chuck ============================================================================= Chuck Sackett Wisconsin Badger Hockey! Minneapolis, MN NCAA Champs: 1973, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1990!!! [log in to unmask] ON WISCONSIN! =============================================================================