Three Stars: February 20-26

3. Pegula Ice Arena Construction - Feb. 22
(YouTube)

Here's a quick look at the PIA site as it appeared last Wednesday, on day three of blasting. You're welcome for my linking directly to YouTube and bypassing Tony Mancuso.

2. Icers' Jensen inspired by his mom's cancer
(The Daily Collegian)

Simply put, a must read from Christine Newby on defenseman Nate Jensen's motivation to become involved with THON - his mother.

1. Icers Primer: The ACHA Tournament (Part 1, Part 2)
(Black Shoe Diaries)

IcersGuy is in the midst of a fantastic ACHA national championship tournament preview over on BSD. The first installment of the TYT version drops tomorrow, but while you're waiting, read the first two parts of his. And make sure you check back over there on Thursday for the conclusion to the trilogy.

Best of the Rest

Paul Kelly will now find a new banner to hang behind him.

College Hockey Inc. needs quick rebound
(Shooting for the Show)

Unquestionably, the biggest story in college hockey last week was the sudden resignation of Paul Kelly from his post as head of College Hockey Inc. amidst whispers that he and the college hockey conference commissioners (who formed CHI and hired Kelly) had drastically different views about the direction of the organization. Here's reaction from a blog that you need to be reading, if you aren't already. Also be sure to follow SftS's proprietor on Twitter.

[Quick note: CHI hired Nate Ewell to replace Kelly on an interim basis subsequent to this post's publishing.]

Paul Kelly Explains Surprise Resignation, What May Come Next
(The United States of Hockey)

Another great blog scored an exclusive with Kelly. Riveting stuff that helps illustrate a growing rift between the business people and the hockey people.

Pegula Ice Arena construction ahead of schedule
(WJAC)

A "meh" article typical of anyone who tries to cover something they don't on a regular basis, but beneath the banality lies this gem:

Blasting at the construction site, near the intersection of University Drive and Curtin Road, started this week and portions of the steel structure could start going up as early as Blue-White weekend this spring.

Wait, Blue-White weekend? In light of this news, I'm hoping that the athletic department's marketing people are working on a name other than the "groundbreaking ceremony" scheduled for April 20th. Erection ceremony? Sorry, had to. I'm still 12 on the inside.

Cassel, 10 seniors prepare for final home game as Illini hockey faces EMU
(Daily Illini)

Best wishes to Illini coach Chad Cassel in retirement (following the national tournament, of course). If every program was run like Illinois, the ACHA would be a much better place.

Amsoil Arena newbies hope to test UMD
(Duluth News Tribune)

Alex Iafallo: good hockey player, horrible at choosing a college.

Fargo (N.D.) Force left winger Alex Iafallo of Eden, N.Y., made an oral commitment last week to attend UMD, probably in 2013-14.

Iafallo, 18, is 6-feet-0 and 170 pounds, and in his first U.S. Hockey League season. He has 11 goals and seven assists for 18 points in 47 games. Last season he played Tier I midget hockey for the Buffalo Regals, and had 36 points in 39 games. He’s noted as a good skater and has been on Fargo’s No. 2 line with Gabe Guertler and Dave Gust.

Iafallo made two unofficial visits to UMD and said he had a difficult choice after also making trips to Nebraska-Omaha, Michigan State and Penn State.

“I’ve wanted to play in Division I and I knew UMD was a great hockey school. After seeing Duluth and the school, it felt more like home and is a great fit for me,” said Iafallo, whose home is a suburb of Buffalo, N.Y.

Where Will the Big Ten Stack Up in Hockey Conferences?
(B1G Ice Hockey)

Good question. And make sure you read the comments, especially the third one.

BU's Nicastro Suspended After Arrest
BU Task Force Has Parker's Blessing
(College Hockey News)

A big, fat "no comment" is my position on stories like this until further notice.

Congratulations to the powers that be at Nebraska for having roughly 12 tons more foresight than those at Penn State circa 1995 - yep, they're putting ice in their new multipurpose arena, which is set to open in September 2013.

Minnesota's Lucia Calls Husker Hockey a "Natural" 
(Corn Nation)

For the second week in a row, we close with an SB Nation blog's post about the possibility of an unconventional school adding an NCAA hockey program, although this one seems much more plausible than the Kansas pipe dream. And hey, Nebraska's in the Big Ten now. I keep forgetting that, even though it's coming up on two years since their admission.