Boston College Hockey: Power Play Fighting Through Rough Stretch

College Hockey News recently noted Boston College hockey's woes on the man-advantage:

"Despite employing a dominant penalty kill this season, the Eagles have struggled mightily on the power play. The team's 10-4 record and No. 5 ranking indicate that BC can overcome this shortcoming and win games - the hallmark of a good team.

But York's teams are not typically just good; they are among the best in the nation. And if this Boston College team expects to reach the same heights as previous squads, then scoring on the power play is a necessity.

The Eagles are currently fighting through a 1-for-22 quagmire with the man advantage in their last four games. It's no coincidence that BC's record in that stretch is 2-2, with the two victories requiring game-winners in the last minute of play."

I'd say BC's 2-2 record over the last four games has a little something to do with the fact that the Eagles have faced the #2 and #14 teams on the road and the #13 team at home over that stretch, but the writer has a point. BC is struggling to score on the man-advantage.

BC is just 1-for-22 on the man advantage over the last four games, with the Eagles lone goal coming in BC's 2-1 win vs. Northeastern (the first game of the four game stretch). Since, BC has gone 0-18, including 0-8 vs. BU, 0-3 at Notre Dame and 0-7 this past Saturday at Yale.

Not all special teams have been struggling however. The Eagles are ranked sixth nationally in penalty kills (63-of-70 for 90%) and has already netted three shorthanded goals, tied for fifth nationally. But it's the Eagles power play that hasn't been all that hot.

Luckily, BC faces their Green Line rivals Boston University this weekend in the regular season series finale and will likely have ample opportunities to turn things around on the power play. Over the last four BC-BU regular season meetings dating back to the start of last season, the HEA refs have done a really poor job at keeping the game under control. An incredible 82 penalties have been called over those four meetings (44 against BC, 38 against BU).

Hopefully the Boston College power play can find its scoring touch against the Terriers this weekend.