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Cooper Flinton has turned them into habits. During the first half of his freshman campaign with the Dartmouth College men’s hockey team, the left wing from Auburn stressed the importance of having good stick detail, being physical and blocking shots to himself. When he came back from the holiday break that year, Flinton no longer thought about those little but impactful things. Doing them just came naturally. “I think at first, in practice and a little bit in games, it was sort of in the back of my head as something to work on and focus on,” said Flinton, now a junior, “but, I think, as time goes on ... it kind of turns into a habit, in a way, where it’s just subconscious at this point.” Flinton and the No. 17 Big Green (6-3-1, 4-2-1 ECAC) will host their intrastate rival, the University of New Hampshire (7-4-2, 2-3-2 Hockey East) on Friday night (7), in both teams’ final game before the holiday break. Flinton, who is 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, is fourth on the team in points with nine on three goals and six assists. “He doesn’t have as many points but he’s involved in as many of the goals,” Dartmouth coach Reid Cashman said of Flinton earlier this season. “He’s doing all the little things.” Cashman noted that Flinton drew the penalty that led to John Fusco’s game-winning power-play goal with four minutes remaining in their 4-2 triumph at then-No. 15 Quinnipiac on Nov. 8. Flinton also blocked a shot that sprung linemate Sean Chisholm’s second-period, two-on-one goal against the Bobcats. That victory was part of Dartmouth’s first 4-0 start since the 1957-58 season. Flinton skates on Dartmouth’s top line with Chisholm (team-high six goals, five assists), a senior center, and sophomore right wing Nikita Nikora (two goals, team-high 12 assists). Flinton, a St. Paul’s School graduate, said Nikora has some of the best hands he has ever seen and that Chisholm is “super smart.” The three are close off the ice and have worked to become predictable for each other on the ice, Flinton said. Flinton, who owns a plus-4 plus-minus rating, said he tries to create space for Chisholm and Nikora and cause havoc in front of the net. “I take a lot of pride in my play below the top of the circles,” Flinton said. “I consider myself being a power forward ... being relentless, being physical, kind of gritty even and going to the hard places in front of the net, retrieving pucks. “I think that’s a large part of my game and it will be as my career goes on.” Flinton also became part of Dartmouth’s penalty-kill unit this year for the first time in his career. Flinton said he tries to use his size, physicality and ability to block shots while on the penalty kill. The Big Green own the sixth-best penalty-kill percentage (.813) in the 12-team ECAC. Cashman said that it is hard to quantify Flinton’s impact on the team. “I just can’t put a value on how much he means to our program,” Cashman said. “He’s just been an absolute stud for us this year.” ahall@unionleader.comLCCC awarded Choose Ohio First grant for STEM scholarships
Open any social media platform today, and you are greeted with posts, videos, and discussions dominated by a single contentious issue: the new reservation policy. Students are taking to the streets in protest, and those who aren’t, they can be seen channeling their frustrations through every means available. The topic of reservation is becoming pervasive. It is sparking debates that are increasingly polarized and acrimonious. The timing of the discussion about the reservation issue, just after elections, has added fuel to the fire. Many voters, particularly the youth, had pinned their hopes on political parties they believed would bring fairness and justice to governance. With the National Conference (NC) government now in power, supported significantly by the youth electorate, public expectations are soaring. The government is seen by many as the final resort that can rectify what they view as an unjust reservation policy. However, the government’s initial response—forming a cabinet sub-committee to review the policy—has not inspired confidence. The committee’s composition, made up of majority of members from reserved categories, has been criticized for lacking impartiality. Adding to the skepticism is the absence of a clear deadline for the submission of the committee’s findings. To many pragmatic observers, it is a tactic to buy time than a sincere attempt to resolve the issue. Recently during a media interaction, education minister Sakina Yatoo, a member of the cabinet sub-committee, stated that commenting on the reservation issue is inappropriate as the matter is sub-judice. Such remarks make it evident how much we can realistically expect from the sub-committee. For the NC government, the reservation policy represents one of the first major challenges since coming to power. The youth, who voted overwhelmingly for the party, see this as a defining moment. Their dissatisfaction with the policy was evident during the election campaign, and now they expect swift and decisive action. How the government handles this issue will be a litmus test for its ability to meet public expectations and honor its promises. At the very least, the NC government must take steps to reverse the policy to its previous state. Restoring the status quo ante would not solve all the problems associated with reservation, but it would quell immediate tensions and bring relief to those who feel disenfranchised by the new rules. Such a move would also demonstrate that the government is listening to its electorate and is capable of acting in the public’s interest. NC government must understand that people want them to reverse the new reservation policy immediately — long-term reforms can wait. The debates around reservation on social media are becoming increasingly toxic. Arguments have turned into personal attacks, with individuals from opposing sides trading barbs. The open hostility is alarming, and if left unchecked, this divisiveness could escalate into something more serious, threatening the social fabric. One common grievance voiced by those from open merit categories is that reservations are unwarranted and lead to undeserving candidates occupying government positions. This narrative is both unfair and misleading. The difference in scores between open merit candidates and those from reserved categories is often negligible, and reserved category candidates also face intense competition within their respective quotas. On the other hand, some individuals from reserved categories view reservations as an inherent right rather than a temporary measure to address historical injustices. This perspective has led to resistance against any reforms, including the sub-categorization of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Yet, many right-thinking individuals within these communities recognize the need for reform and advocate for measures like sub-categorization, which could help address disparities within reserved groups. While reversing the new policy is an immediate priority, it is clear that the reservation system as a whole needs systematic reform. Over the years, the system has strayed from its original purpose of bridging social and economic inequalities. Instead, it has often become a tool for political appeasement, leading to resentment and polarization. Any meaningful reform must strike a balance between addressing historical injustices and ensuring meritocracy. Sub-categorization of SCs and STs, for instance, could ensure that the benefits of reservation reach the most disadvantaged within these communities. Similarly, periodic reviews of the socio-economic status of beneficiaries could help prevent the misuse of reservations by those who no longer need them. However, these reforms require a national dialogue and consensus. They cannot be implemented hastily or without considering things thoroughly. For now, the NC government must focus on calming the immediate unrest by reversing the policy to its previous state. This would provide breathing room for broader discussions on long-term reforms. As the protests continue and the debates grow louder, will the government choose to act decisively and restore public confidence, or will it succumb to the inertia of political expediency? The answer to this question will determine not just the fate of the reservation policy but also the legacy of the National Conference government. In the end, what is needed is not just a rollback of policies but a genuine effort to address the issue. Only then can we hope to move beyond the divisive debates and towards a future where opportunity is not a matter of privilege but a fundamental right for all.WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — Donovan Newby had 18 points in UNC Wilmington's 78-69 victory over Marshall on Saturday. Newby shot 5 for 10 (0 for 3 from 3-point range) and 8 of 11 from the free-throw line for the Seahawks (7-2). Sean Moore scored 14 points while shooting 6 for 11, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc and added 16 rebounds. Khamari McGriff shot 5 of 6 from the field and 3 for 3 from the line to finish with 13 points, while adding six rebounds. The Thundering Herd (5-4) were led in scoring by Mikal Dawson, who finished with 12 points and two steals. Marshall also got 10 points and nine rebounds from Nate Martin. Dezayne Mingo also had 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists. UNC Wilmington took the lead with 12:17 to go in the first half and did not give it up. The score was 44-34 at halftime, with Moore racking up 12 points. UNC Wilmington was outscored by Marshall in the second half by one point, with Newby scoring a team-high 12 points after halftime. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .