Boston College Hockey Wins 2011 Ice Breaker, Ranked #1 Nationally

There are three things you can count on in life: death, taxes, and Boston College hockey kicking butt. That's exactly what BC hockey did this weekend. Forget the fact that BC is without 6 of their starters from last year, and forget the fact that John Muse is no longer with the team. This team is already showing they are ready to to contend again. This time led by Chris Kreider, Tommy Cross, Steven Whitney and a whole new cast of characters.

Friday's competition against the Michigan State Spartans was dominated by Boston College 5-2. Early goals by Patrick Brown and Chris Kreider gave them the early edge, and was finished off by goals by Steven Whitney and Barry Almeida. In between the pipes Parker Milner did a fantastic job saving 22 of the 24 shots he faced.

On Saturday freshman Johnny Gaudreau, Steven Whitney and Pat Mullane were all over the place accounting for 9 points in Eagles' 6-2 win against third ranked North Dakota. Watching some of the game, Gaudreau reminded me of Nathan Gerbe, which of course is exciting but it's too early to really assess his game. Coach York was very happy about the play of his line.

"That line in particular was really dominant on the ice," York said. "Earlier in the season we were trying different combinations and they all seem to move pucks very well. There are a lot of similarities in the way they play."

Big win for the Eagles as it was basically a home game for the Fighting Sioux against a very good team. BC again looked fast and quick, and continue to bring the speed to college hockey. It's only two games into the season, but it is pretty clear that again Boston College is going to put an excellent product on the ice.

Jerry York of course was his usual cool, calm, awesome self:

"There are six trophies available to us this year," head coach Jerry York said. "We got the first one. It's kind of a steppingstone - they all get bigger as the year goes on."

Makes you really hate Frank Spaziani even more when you read quotes like that right?

Boston College will return to the Heights with a bevy of hardware both individually and collectively as a team. Goalie Parker Milner, Patch Alber, Bill Arnold,Tommy Cross and Chris Kreider were all named to the Ice Breaker All-Tournament team, while Kreider will be returning with the Ice Breaker MVP. Freshman Johnny Gaudreau was named Hockey East rookie of the week for his 4 point performance against North Dakota.

This afternoon the team got big news as they were ranked #1 in both major weekly polls - USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine. They climbed above North Dakota who they beat, Notre Dame and Miami (Ohio) who both lost their opening games, and Denver who hadn't played yet. Nothing to get too excited over just yet, but any good BC news at this point is more than welcome. 

BC very difficult schedule continues this Friday as they host Denver this Friday at Conte Forum. Hopefully unlike football this well be a rocking crowd and another BC victory.