4 PM ... Worcester ... ESPNU.
2012 Northeast Regional preview: Tournament veterans face off (USCHO.com)
Rookie forward Johnny Gaudreau also has been strong down the stretch. A late commit to BC after withdrawing his commitment to Northeastern last summer, Gaudreau has been a force of late, scoring 22 points during the 15-game streak.
NCAA Tournament: Northeast Regional Preview (Inside College Hockey)
The Eagles simply have the complete package: size, speed, skill, special teams, goaltending … Beyond that, though, Boston College has the drive for redemption after last year’s first-round flameout. And as anyone who’s ever won a championship in any sport can attest, as hard as that first one was for Duluth last year, it’s even harder to repeat.
For Boston College, the Focus Is on the First Round (NYTimes.com)
"I think we’re deep," York said. "We’ve got the 12 forwards that play, the six defensemen, and Parker [Milner] in goal. They’ve all contributed. There hasn’t been any one or two players that we have to rely on. We’ve got a whole bunch of good players. I think that’s the key to our success is that we have a lot of good players, and we keep them on the train together. We keep them focused. Individual goals aren’t a concern of ours. When you come to BC, it’s team. It’s a BC thing. No one’s bigger than the team."
Hockey team enjoys bright Heights (BostonHerald.com)
"The first thing that comes to mind is the coaching that we have," said BC defenseman Tommy Cross. "And the kids that are in our program, there’s a big trickle-down effect . . . there’s a lot of (consistency) from year to year."
Jerry York’s way keeps BC a close family (BostonHerald.com)
York’s down-to-earth demeanor made the hub writer feel as though they had seen each other the previous day. Such is the affable manner York displays with anyone who comes in contact with his Boston College hockey program.
BC must stick to game (BostonHerald.com)
"Whenever we’re out there in the pregame skate, every rink is a little different, so you can kind of get a feel for the angles and how the corners are, and how long it’s going to take me to get rims," said Milner referring to going behind his net to stop pucks. "That’s really the only time to get a feel for that. . . . The bottom line is we look at those two things, the rink and the other team, but the main thing we have to focus on is ourselves and do what we need to do. It’s playoff hockey and you just have to really, really tighten everything up."
NCAA Hockey: A Baker's Dozen of thoughts on the upcoming tournament (masslive.com)
Moving on, don't look for Air Force to upset BC (Sat. 4 p.m., Worcester). The Falcons had all they could do to get by Connecticut at home in the Atlantic Hockey quarterfinals where they sandwiched 4-3 wins around a 3-1 loss, and thus the teams were even at nine goals apiece for the series. They did beat Mercyhurst 5-2 and RIT 4-0 in the final. And the Falcons have that 2-0 upset over Michigan in the NCAA 2009 tournament at Bridgeport as an emotional starting place. But no way are they beating BC.
Johnny Gaudreau flying high with Boston College (The Boston Globe)
"We just got pucks to the net and I happened to be in the right place at the right time on a couple of goals,’’ said Gaudreau. "We had some good play from the rest of our guys. It was a great team effort.’’
Weymouth's Paul Carey isn't ready for Boston College hockey career to end (The Enterprise)
"I’ve kind of gradually picked up my play as the season has gone on," said the only senior on a line that includes freshman Johnny Gaudreau (39 points) and junior Pat Mullane (35). "I think I’m starting to peak at the right time of year."
NCAA hockey: Shea, Eagles soar into DCU (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
"It's pretty cool — it's the last chance to make the Frozen Four from Worcester," said Shea, a regular on the Eagle blue line since his sophomore year after playing 22 games as a freshman. "All the people you grew up with, even if they haven't been watching you, they see BC is playing in Worcester, and they'll want to come watching you, so you know you have those other followers. That's a pretty cool experience."
Mike Mottau Enjoying Return Home to Boston, Confident His Boston College Eagles Can Make Run at NCAA Title (NESN.com)
"I like it, they drew Air Force first," Mottau said. "That's kind of a tough matchup for a 1-16 because the 16 team's going to play loose. But what they need to do is just rely on knowing they can wear teams down. I think they have a very good chance of winning a national championship."