Beanpot Champions! Boston College Hockey Outlasts Boston University In An Instant Classic
by Grant Salzano on Feb 14, 2012 2:38 AM EST
in Boston College Hockey
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Just like last week, I'm writing this about five hours past my bedtime, so bear with me.
BC and BU played an absolute thriller for just under 80 minutes. In the end, Boston College prevailed 3-2. Bill Arnold scored the game winning goal with just 6.4 seconds remaining in the first overtime.
There is just so much to say about this game. First and foremost, it was one of the best games of the last several years. The quality of play was just unreal. Second and secondmost, God, it just feels so freaking good to crush the souls of the Terriers. Yes! Yesss! Oh, let me taste your tears, BU! Oh, the tears of unfathomable sadness!
BC started the scoring about nine minutes in when Pat Mullane wristed a beautiful shorthanded goal over Kieran Millan's shoulder. The Eagles led in shots in the 1st period, 16-9.
The second period felt like it was all BU. The Terriers finally broke through and tied the game with under 5 minutes left in the period. Fortunately, Chris Kreider exists, and he put the Eagles back ahead 2-1 with a power play goal with just over a minute left in the period.
BU scored the only goal of the 3rd period on a 5-on-3. The game featured several 5-on-3 opportunities for both teams -- but, that's to be expected when Tim Benedetto is your referee.
Finally, we get to overtime. Boston College dominated the last 20 minutes, though the Terriers certainly had their opportunities. It was a very up-and-down period (surprising for an overtime period, really, where a lot of the time you see teams play very conservative). Finally, Bill Arnold sent the Superfans home happy with a wrister with just seconds remaining. The goal was featured as #1 on ESPN's Top 10 and made Bill Arnold a trending topic nationally (!) on Twitter:
Congrats Superfans, you just got Bill Arnold trending on twitter. Nationally. twitter.com/HeightsSports/…
— The Heights (@HeightsSports) February 14, 2012
The BU student section, I'm happy to report, cleared out faster than it would have if there had been a fire drill at the Garden.
Kieran Millan won the award for top goaltender -- it is given to the goalie with the highest save percentage in the tournament, so it's just simple math -- but Parker Milner was just sparkling. Again. He has improved each and every game he has played since his long layoff, and the Superfans noticed. They were raining praise down on him throughout the night, and especially post game during the awards ceremony.
The Superfans were again out in force. After the winning goal, a slew of streamers came flying out of the student section (you can see them very clearly in NESN's highlights). There were -- cough -- 63 streamers. But I had nothing to do with them or anything. Cough.
Streamers littered the concourse -- both the lower level (shown here) and the upper level -- at the TD Garden after BC's victory
The win vaulted us up to #2 in the Pairwise Rankings. More importantly, we're now the top of the eastern teams, which means if the season ended today, we would be the #1 seed in Worcester. Taking the top overall seed is important, however. It would match us up with a far weaker team than it would if we were #2 overall -- the 16th seed will not be ranked very highly, as it will be the champion of the weak AHA conference.
I'm exhausted, so I will leave you with the game highlights:
Trophy season has begun!
Worth noting is that this game marked Jerry York's 899th victory. Go out to Conte Forum on Friday night against Merrimack for a chance to see history!
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Salzie's Highlights.....Woo Woo Woo Worcester!!!
It’s like waking up and you have been Granted into heaven.
I think I will do a snow angel.
Earth to Eagle Nation:
I think we have a goalie for the NCAA’s!
The win vaulted us up to #2 in the Pairwise Rankings. More importantly, we’re now the top of the eastern teams, which means if the season ended today, we would be the #1 seed in Worcester. Taking the top overall seed is important, however. It would match us up with a far weaker team than it would if we were #2 overall — the 16th seed will not be ranked very highly, as it will be the champion of the weak AHA conference.
Thanks!
How was this allowed to happen??
GDF, get off your butt and find us the coach we need. Someone who will bring us back to the realistic expectations we SHOULD have.
by tfots9 on Feb 14, 2012 8:53 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Prepare for Merrimack
Last night was great, but let’s hope the boys get focused real quick. Huge weekend against Merrimack coming up in just over 72 hours.
Agreed, though I wish BC still had games against Lowell. MC can’t be happy BC appears to be getting hot at the right time.
Editor, BC Interruption
Great effort by York’s kids. Beyond the fact we pulled out the W, both sides should be commended for their high level of play, even into the overtime.
Endurance was baffling: you’d think after 60 minutes, the teams would show more signs of fatigue, but the pace of the game in fact increased (due in no small part to referees swallowing their whistles).
Super entertaining game. If anything, leaves you with a wave of optimism as we enter the home stretch of the season.
by Eagle in Brighton on Feb 14, 2012 8:07 AM EST reply actions
The energy level in overtime was insane. It was like both teams had come out for the first 20 minutes and hadn’t just played 60 minutes. Both Milner and Millan played really well in the extra session, too.
Editor, BC Interruption
Both Milner and Millan played really well in the extra session, too
So true.
It’s fun to give BU crap now and then, but in all honesty, they played a great game. I’ll be the first to admit, they’re a good hockey team (which is rather amazing considering their personnel losses mid-season). Looking forward to a HE tourny rematch.
by Eagle in Brighton on Feb 14, 2012 8:31 AM EST up reply actions
Very true
I was ready to write off BU over the break with all the personnel losses. The scary part is imagining where BU would be at with all the players lost.
While at the start of the season it was looking like it was a down year for Hockey East, the conference has really shaped up to be the best conference in the country this season. BC, BU are right there at the top and have been joined by surprising Lowell and Merrimack. Even Maine seems to be improving.
It’ll be a shame if BC and BU don’t get the top 2 seeds and meet in the Hockey East Tournament before the final. With due respect to Lowell and MC, I think it’s clear who the top two clubs in the conference are.
Editor, BC Interruption
Yup. And their defensemen are unbelievable. They did a great job for most of the game of neutralizing BC’s speed, and they are solid with the puck as well.
Writer at BC Interruption SBN's Boston College Eagles blog
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Btw: that video compilation was prompt/is comprehensive. Good job to whomever got that aggregated in a timely fashion.
by Eagle in Brighton on Feb 14, 2012 8:35 AM EST reply actions
I Am Responsible for This Victory
I turned the set off after regulation with the full and complete knowledge they would win if I did.
by Fukowi on Feb 14, 2012 8:49 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Fuki -- You Manned up!
You have mine and everyone’s here nomination to be our new Football head Coach and work for our new AD Brian Favat.
I will slip you an extra calzone weekly from my Veals on Wheels if you win 10!
74
I watched the game on TV.
During OT, was the ice just slippery or did BU get away with dirty play? Our guys were falling whenever they rushed towards the net. And it seemed that there were always a few grabs and hooks each time.
Great game though. Parker played with confidence and focus—everything you expect from a big time Goalie in a big time Game. This will improve as we head into the tournaments.
Johnny Gaudreau is a really fun player to watch. His assist in the 2-man advantage showed good instincts and presence of mind.
Brian Gionta 2.0
Gaudreau has lots of speed and his stickwork is excellent. It’s a treat to watch him play. Hopefully since he’s a bit undersized we’ll get him for all four years on the Heights.
Oh, and his younger brother is coming to play for BC too.
Editor, BC Interruption
The Bible According to Jerry York
Oh, and his younger brother is coming to play for BC too.
JY is your younger and older brother’s keeper.
Please Jerry,
Stay away from the Spazooitis down the hall!
Thanks!
Good comparison. This begs the question, do you these talented recruits go to York given his stellar reputation or do the program reach out to these players? The team seems to be a nice balance of New England Prep School kids and a few high-profile recruits.
A Globe article covered this story last year citing how these kids commit to programs very early.
Case in point: we just signed a 13-year old from Malden Catholic. His older brother is already committed to BC.
Editor, BC Interruption
I was glad the refs put their whistles away, their were definitely questionable hits on both sides during OT. Finally scoring the first non penalty related was a great way to win this.
Writer at BC Interruption SBN's Boston College Eagles blog
Follow me on Twitter
yup
BU had a few sure roughing calls, but BC had two blantant trips at critical moments as well.
Now if only the refs would have let them play for the first three periods. /Benedetto’d
Editor, BC Interruption
The student section was INCREDIBLE. We were freaking out for the entire overtime period and if it went to double OT, I probably would have exploded. When Billy scored that goal, the entire place erupted. Quite simply, we lost our shit. It was insane, probably the best sporting event I’ve ever attended.
FearTheSword, SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers blog
by Conrad Kaczmarek on Feb 14, 2012 9:35 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Not to be a hater...
But I was in the loge, and I’m not gonna lie, BU’s student section was MUCH louder than BC’s…..
This, but that’s because we were always WINNING (or tied, but mostly winning).
Editor, BC Interruption
The “safety school” chant was very audible on TV multiple times during the broadcast.
Editor, BC Interruption
If we play BU in the NCAA's
Could be a rematch for 1 # 1 seeds in the HE Tourney>
It better be in the finale in Tampa!
These are two solid contenders with those goalies.
One mistake and one of these teams mightl lose a National Title.
I see a lot of Hockey from out west and BU and BC seem to be a step quicker, or it’s my imagination?
Michigan was buzzing last weekend and I would love to see BC get a 1 seed OVERALL and if we reach Frozen Four have Michigan play BU in semis!
BC is easily the fastest team in the country. The teams out west seem a bit bigger with more deliberate play. Then again, guys like Gaudreau make it seem like BC’s squad is incredibly undersized.
Editor, BC Interruption
I missed the Powerball by 4 numbers
BF — Or I woulda been there with Comman and partying all night at some swank joint with you and the Mrs. Eagle Nations.
The State of Rhode Island got $12M in taxes! If I won, Texas gets $0.00!
This is why we can’t have nice things!!!!
The first thing I did was call Jane in RI to see if she won and tell her of my unbounding love and she called me the same things she did 41 years ago and then my wife chimed in and both agreed I was…. well no name calling……
It was a stereo facial.
BU lacrosse
Along with the development of New Balance Field, which enhances student life by virtually doubling the amount of field space on campus, BU announced the addition of women’s lightweight rowing beginning with the 2012-13 season and that men’s lacrosse will elevate from a club sport to varsity status beginning with the 2013-14 season. Men’s lacrosse will play home games on Nickerson Field, while women’s lightweight rowing will call the DeWolfe Boathouse home.
Boston University men’s lax, eh? Gotta diversify those men’s varsity sports I see. Diversify your portfolio, since men’s ice hockey isn’t exactly working out for you, I see …
http://www.goterriers.com/genrel/021412aaa.html
Editor, BC Interruption
Hah.
I know the practical reasons against have been repeated ad nauseum (Title IX, scholarship/funding limitations, etc.), but it is a shame we don’t still have a Varsity Men’s Lacrosse program. Would be such a good fit institutionally with other peer schools (Duke, UVA, UNC, Maryland, G’Town, ND, ’Cuse, Cornell, etc.); culturally with strong youth and high school presence from Mid-Atlantic up through New England; and aesthetically because for better or worse, mimics the demomgraphic makeup of the student body.
by Eagle in Brighton on Feb 14, 2012 12:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This
I would add that while BC would be a punching bag in the ACC, a sixth program would add legitimacy to the conference in a way that isn’t the pseudo-clownshoes current four-team conference (which always ends up in a three-way tie at 2-1).
Like virtually every other Olympic sport in the ACC, ACC lacrosse is the best conference in the land. Will be bolstered by the addition of Syracuse. North Carolina, Virginia, Duke, Maryland and Syracuse is like 8 of the last 10 National Champions iirc.
If BC truly strives to be a broad-based athletics department, there’s no reason BC shouldn’t go back to D-I along with an extra women’s sport. This will never happen under Gene’s watch though, who made the decision to cut the program back in the early 2000s. And we all know that GDF rarely backs down on his decisions.
Editor, BC Interruption
I slept the sleep of the righteous!
there is very little in life that’s better than beating BU..particularly in the Beanpot! They have always lived their lives around two Mondays in February and after this year..we now officially own those too!
Jerry and the boys are doing exactly what they always do, coming to life in February and carrying it through to the tournament.
1 trophy down, 2 more to go!
Love it! Go Eagles!
by CoachJF on Feb 14, 2012 12:26 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Hey, I want a congratulatory comment from HarryAgganis. What gives, man? Too soon?
Editor, BC Interruption
The gold throwback jerseys
Can we just wear them for every game from now on? We’re 4-0 in those sweaters, right? (Fenway, UNH home game, 2 Beanpot games).
Does anyone know if they are for sale?
The gold jerseys are too awesome to not own one
gold jerseys
i emailed GDF about the jerseys and wether they would be sold or not and he had one of his associates email me back. He said that they received a lot of positive feedback on the jerseys and that they were going to discuss selling them in the bookstore in a future meeting. This meeting would have taken place probably around 2 weeks ago, so if you feel like shooting him another email to see what kind of feedback you get then you should. From what they told me, it sounded liked the jerseys would definitely be sold in the bookstore, but not until next year
Personally, I think we should scrap the white sweaters altogether and go with the gold at home and maroon on the road.
Both the white and maroon sweaters pale in comparison to the gold ones.
Editor, BC Interruption
Save the Gold Jerseys for the NCAA's
The HE Tourney is nice, but store them away for the WIN 4 and a title run!
This is Why GDF and BC are Totally Little League in Marketing and Athletics
Imagine what some Exec would say at Apple if some jackass called and said hey I really like your I-Pad, you think you guys are gonna make more of them along with this new I-Phone thig-a-ma-gig?
You think that Apple guy would say — – We’ll get back to you after we call our China manufacturing plants and see if they can mass produce some???
IDIOTS!
I e-mailed GDF about the jerseys and whether they would be sold or not and he had one of his associates email me back. He said that they received a lot of positive feedback on the jerseys and that they were going to discuss selling them in the bookstore in a future meeting. This meeting would have taken place probably around 2 weeks ago, so if you feel like shooting him another email to see what kind of feedback you get then you should. From what they told me, it sounded liked the jerseys would definitely be sold in the bookstore, but not until next year
in fairness to GDF...
The bookstore stands to profit from selling these jerseys, not the athletics office or the Flynn Fund. The bookstore is a separate entity from athletics; it’s run by some company called Follett. Thus, your Apple analogy doesn’t really work.
Though one would assume that Athletics would profit from selling its inventory of gold jerseys to the bookstore, which would then sell them.
by Eagle09 on Feb 15, 2012 10:28 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
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