BC Hockey vs. UMass-Amherst/Maine: Final Thoughts & Predictions

So here's a not-too-fun fact. The Boston College Eagles, who are 1-3 in conference play, sit 10th in the league standings right now. Out of 12. Yep. It's early, but you can dig yourself in a hole really quickly. Last year BC only dropped 6 points for the entire league season; they've already dropped those six in four games. Ouch.Time to get back on the right Hockey East track this weekend with two league games against UMass-Amherst and Maine. It starts tonight at the Mullins Center before returning to Conte tomorrow.

BC Roster Notes

By all indications, the lineup should remain as it was last week at Michigan State.

Projected Lines

Destry Straight - Chris Calnan - Adam Gilmour
Zach Sanford - Ryan Fitzgerald - Alex Tuch
Cam Spiro - Michael Sit - Matthew Gaudreau
Quinn Smith - Austin Cangelosi - Brendan Silk

Defensive Pairs

Michael Matheson - Scott Savage
Ian McCoshen - Noah Hanifin
Teddy Doherty - Travis Jeke

In Goal

Thatcher Demko

GAME FACTS

Game Time: 7:00 PM Friday; 7:00 PM Saturday
TV: You can watch tonight's game via UMass-Amherst's website and tomorrow's at BCEagles.com ($$)
Radio: WEEI 850 AM, BCEagles.com

Record: Boston College 5-5-0 (1-3-0 HEA), UMass-Amherst 3-5-0 (1-4-0 HEA), Maine 3-7-1 (2-3-0 HEA)

Goal Differentials:
BC: 30 GF, 27 GA, +3 GD
UMA: 26 GF, 32 GA, -6 GD
UME: 25 GF, 38 GA, -13 GD

Last Time Out: Last week, UMass-Amherst was off; two weeks ago they smoked AIC at home. Maine played one game last weekend, a loss at home to BU on Friday.

Common Foes: Maine and UMass-Amherst have both played BU this year, losing 3-1 and 8-1 respectively. The Minutemen also faced Michigan State and split with them in a weekend series in October.

Players to watch: Ben Hutton, a defenseman for Maine, is an outstanding player, though not off to a great statistical start at 1-3--4 in 11 games. But he's someone on a lot of people's radar for Hockey East first team defenseman. Sophomore Cam Brown has 9 points in 11 games for the Black Bears. For the Minutemen, sophomore defenseman Steven Iacobellis has a 3-6--9 line and former Eagle Frank Vatrano is at 3-3--6.

Blast from the Not-Too-Distant Past

In one of the best BC hockey games of the Jerry York era, Boston College defeated Maine 7-6 in overtime to win the 2010 Hockey East Championship. Enjoy.

The Pre-Game Watering Hole

I'm told The Hangar is where it's at in Amherst. TBD if I'll have time to actually stop anywhere tonight, what with Friday night traffic being what it is.

Scoreboard Watching: Out-Of-Town Notes

Big night of league games. UMass Lowell, who beat Notre Dame last night, looks to finish the sweep tonight in South Bend. Providence opens up a home-and-home with New Hampshire, and Northeastern travels to red-hot Merrimack.

Predictions

Joe Gravellese:

BC 2 UMA 1
BC 5 Maine 0

I'm thinking BC follows the Michigan State game playbook tonight in Amherst and grinds out a win playing conservatively. Hopefully there's no non-review-review necessary to seal a narrow win. Then hopefully BC gets a little more wind in their sails and unleashes the offense a little bit tomorrow night. Especially if they can break the power play hex.

Brian Favat:

BC 3, UMass-Amherst 2
BC 4, Maine 1

New "Dan Rubin" Guy:

Too busy being on his honeymoon to make a prediction.

Grant Salzano:

BC 4, UMass-Amherst 2
BC 3, Maine 2

AJ Black:

BC 3, UMass 1
Maine 4, BC 2

BCI Prediction Standings

Hey, I finally tied for a win last week, with AirForce987. I had 3-1 BC, he had 4-2.

STANDINGS

AJ 3
New Guy 1
Joe Grav 0.83
Airforce987 0.5
Enzo 0.33
Beerfart 0.33

Will BC finally score a power play goal tonight, or will we be left waiting again? Can the Eagles start to dig themselves out of the hole in league play? Leave your thoughts below.