Headlines: Men's Ice Hockey Hitting Their Stride
by Brian Favat on Dec 7, 2009 4:46 PM EST
in Boston College Hockey
Email
PrintLost in the excitement of bowl Selection Sunday and a strong three game stretch from the Eagles men's hoops team is the recent success of the Eagles ice hockey team. The Eagles have quietly gone 3-0-1 in their last four Hockey East matchups and have taken sole possession of second place in the Hockey East standings. The Eagles hopefully won't show any signs of slowing down. BC looks to finish off 2009 on a high note with road trips to lowly Harvard (1-7-2) and current Hockey East cellar dweller Providence (2-5-1 Hockey East).
In a dress rehearsal for next month's Fenway Park game between BC and BU, the Eagles cruised to victory Saturday night behind two points (one goal and one assist) by junior Joe Whitney. Fresh off their National Championship season, BU is far from their championship form of a season ago. Saturday's 4-1 win over Boston University even drew the attention of the New York Times Slap Shots blog, as BC and BU are two programs seemingly moving in different directions:
The Terriers (4-8-3) are in an entirely different position, scrambling to salvage what is beginning to look like a lost season. If it were not for the lowly Providence Friars, last year’s champs would be planted at the bottom of Hockey East. As Parker told The Boston Globe, it won’t be easy to climb out of the basement.
"Can we catch B.C.? Probably not. Can we catch U.N.H.? Probably not," Parker told the Globe. "In order for us to get back in this, we have to win five league games in a row to start looking like we’re a hockey team again. That can be done, maybe. But there’s no reason to think it’s going to be automatic."
I wouldn't sleep on Boston University's chances to make a run the second half of the year in Hockey East. However based on their early season results, all indications are that the Terriers won't be making any noise in the conference this year. If the Hockey East regular season ended today, last year's National Champions wouldn't even qualify for the conference tournament. Imagine that.
The Eagles have been sparked of late by the play of goaltenders John Muse and Parker Milner. Muse stopped 30 shots for the Eagles in Saturday's 4-1 victory over BU, while Milner stopped 23 of 24 in Friday's 3-1 victory at No. 9 Massachusetts. Milner is quietly 3-0-0 on the year, posting a .897 save percentage and a 2.34 GAA. Milner's performance on Friday earned him Hockey East Rookie of the Week honors while the Eagles moved to No. 10 in the national polls.
One thing is for sure. If BC can skate past Harvard and Providence - two very winnable games - and keep their unbeaten streak going into the Denver Cup over New Year's, the Eagles will be much better positioned to make a run at the Hockey East title and an NCAA title than they were at this time a year ago. It's nice to see the Eagles hitting their stride in December rather than in March like last season where it ultimately proved too little, too late.
8 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I think the assent of Milner is huge
With Muse being injured earlier, having a viable backup is key to keeping him fresh. The Hockey East is pretty powerful this year, but I think BC has shown it’s amongst the elite in the division and definitely in the conversation nationally.
I’ve only been able to catch them against UVM very early on where they looked totally flat. But from everything I’m reading, this team has the ability to win big games on the road, so key for the HE and NCAA tourney to come.
Can’t wait for that Fenway game!
York's teams always seem to perform better with a 2 goalie system
Going back to the Frozen Four years, York has always used a two goalie system … the lone exception being the Championship year 2007-2008 where he relied solely on Muse. I think the wear and tear is taking its toll on Muse and I’m glad to see York going to the freshman to give Muse some much needed games off. I also think having two goalies makes each of them better with the competition factor.
I only have been able to watch the BC-UVM game as well and that game they certainly came out flat. But I think the emergence of Parker Milner as a legit backup goalie has really sparked this team. I also think Muse is finally getting back to 100%. He looked really flat early on, probably some of the lingering effects of his surgery.
1999-2000: Scott Clemmensen (29) and Tim Kelleher (18)
2000-2001: Scott Clemmensen (39) and Tim Kelleher (5)
2001-2002: Tim Kelleher (20) and Matti Kaltiainen (18)
2002-2003: Matti Kaltiainen (30) and Tim Kelleher (11)
2003-2004: Matti Kaltiainen (38) and Joe Pearce (5)
2004-2005: Matti Kaltiainen (24) and Cory Schneider (18)
2005-2006: Cory Schneider (39) and Joe Pearce (3)
2006-2007: Cory Schneider (42) and Joe Pearce (2)
2007-2008: John Muse (44)
2008-2009: John Muse (37) and Chris Venti (1)
2009-2010: John Muse (10) and Parker Milner (3)
Effort
This team has brought it every shift, every game. That speaks not only to the coaching but the captains. This is the fastest BC team I have seen in a while apparently the only team that has even come close to them this season thus far is UMass. They have incredible balance which allows them to score relatively consistently -going into this weekend they were a top team in scoring nationally yet didn’t have a single player in the 50 fifty in points which is crazy.
They are easy to root for, they play a quick, exciting brand of hockey and I encourage everyone who hasn’t seen them play come out to a game.
We need to capitalize on the speed this year
No telling how long kids like Kreider and Mullane will stick around. Likely not very long …
I’m excited to see this team play at Fenway next month.
Hockey Talk
Love the hockey talk guys, keep it up!
Hope to get more into hockey given that the football season is coming to a close
It’s difficult to follow with so few games on TV. If the game isn’t on NESN or ESPNU, don’t get to watch this team which sucks.
Anyway, looking forward to Fenway.
Flight Risks
Outside of Hayes I really don’t see many risks for this upcoming year.
Hayes: There has been a lot of talk of him bolting after this year, but I definitely think he needs another year to “grow into his body” and use his size.
Kreider: while I think he is the most likely freshman to leave, I don’t see it. Remember he should be a high school senior but was accelerated. We have seen flashes of his speed to the outside (the 7-1 game where he left the D man in the dust), but he is still adjusting to the college game. I think he stays for sophomore year and then leaves.
Mullane: don’t see that happening, before Kenny Ryan left he was battling to dress every night.
Thanks for the update on the flight risks
I haven’t seen much of this team, but Kreider seems like the most likely target on paper. Mullane hasn’t even been drafted yet, right? I don’t think he’s the property of any of the NHL clubs yet.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
