Brian: Jerry York and the Eagles takes on the Miami RedHawks in the second Frozen Four Semifinal this Thursday at 8pm. The Eagles hold a 4-2 edge in the all-time series against the RedHawks. In recent years, the Eagles and RedHawks are no strangers to one another. In fact, BC and Miami have faced each other 3 times in the last four NCAA tournaments. BC has won all three of those games.
Mar. 24, 2006: BC 5, Miami 0 (Northeast Regional Semifinal)
Mar. 25, 2007: BC 4, Miami 0 (Northeast Regional Final)
Mar. 30, 2008: BC 4, Miami 3 OT (Northeast Regional Final)
While the Eagles are only 1-2 in the regular season against Miami, they have won all three games in the NCAA Tournament. Does this give York’s squad a psychological edge in this year’s Frozen Four? Does BC have Miami’s number in the NCAA Tournament? Your thoughts?
Jeff: Absolutely. BC is currently a huge monkey on Miami's back. Many of Miami's current players were on the team for the overtime loss in 2008. Not to mention all members of the team certainly know about all three of the games you mentioned. They are the games that are frequently thought about and surely brought up in practices or in the off-season when that team is talking about making the next next step of getting to the Frozen Four and a national championship. Once you get to the professional level, things like psychological advantages and home crowd advantages are much smaller factors than they are in college. In the pros every athlete on the ice, floor, or field has had countless experiences over their career where they can point to and draw from when entering a game like the Redhawks will on Thursday night. College kids do not have that same luxury though. These players for Miami will be very nervous and BC will basically be up a half a goal before the puck drops.
Brian: I agree that BC has a psychological advantage, but I'm also certain that Miami can use this to their advantage. Getting yet another chance to knock off the Eagles in the NCAAs may prove to be just a bit more added incentive to pull out the win.
It's also no coincidence that the Eagles and RedHawks have met later and later in the NCAAs as the years have gone by (from the first round in 2006 to two Northeast Regional finals and now, the Frozen Four). It's also no coincidence that the game's results have gotten closer and closer. Miami coach Enrico Blasi has continued to build a solid program at Miami and it wouldn't surprise me if this is the year the RedHawks finally get the monkey off their back.