Boston College Hockey vs. Minnesota/Providence: Final Thoughts & Predictions

After a morale-boosting weekend sweep of UMass-Amherst and Maine, the degree of difficulty ramps up considerably this weekend as BC welcomes Minnesota to the Heights, followed by a trip to Providence's Schneider Arena on Saturday night. Can the Eagles build off their modest three game winning streak?

BC Roster Notes

No changes to report as of now.

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: 6:00 PM Friday, 7:00 PM Saturday
TV: BCEagles.com ($$) Friday, Cox Sports Online ($$) Saturday
Radio: WEEI 850 AM, BCEagles.com

Record: Boston College 7-5-0 (3-3-0 HEA), Minnesota  7-3-0 (0-0-0 BI6), Providence 6-5-1 (4-3-0 HEA)

Goal Differentials:
BC: 39 GF, 31 GA, +8 GD
UM: 32 GF, 22 GA, +10 GD
PC: 23 GF, 24 GA, -1 GD

Last Time Out: Minnesota lost in OT last weekend to the US Under-18 national team. Providence played on Tuesday night, beating Army at home.

Common Foes: The Gophers recently faced and swept Notre Dame, their only other Hockey East foe so far. Providence has faced BU, splitting with the Terriers last month.

Players to watch: Minnesota has many star players, perhaps starting with Adam Wilcox in net, one of the nation's best goaltenders. Senior forward Kyle Rau is a leader for the Gophers and is hoping to cement his legacy as a Gopher legend with a title this year. He's 3-9--12 on the season so far. Minnesota's leading goalscorer is Justin Kloos, a sophomore who's scored six this year.

Blast from the Not-Too-Distant Past

Well, of course I've got to pick this one: BC hammering Minnesota in Tampa to advance to the 2012 National Championship Game.

The Pre-Game Watering Hole

So many good choices in Providence, a very underrated city in my opinion. I've had good experiences with Luxe Burger Bar in downtown Providence, not far from the train station. Many options for burgers/sides of your choice.

Scoreboard Watching: Out-Of-Town Notes

The best games this weekend are all tomorrow (other than BC-Minnesota of course). The Gophers travel to Northeastern, which should be fun. Harvard faces Lowell in Lowell, a big game for both teams. And Colgate travels to BU in another really good matchup.

Predictions

Joe Gravellese:

Minnesota 3 BC 2
BC 4 PC 1

I think BC is going to play really well this weekend. Much like the BU game, I expect to see a strong Eagles effort against Minnesota, but the Gophers' talent will probably be a little too much. Then, the Eagles will have a big statement game where they'll bounce back from the disappointment and handle the Friars.

Brian Favat:

BC 3, Minnesota 3
Providence 4, BC 3

New "Dan Rubin" Guy:

Minnesota 3, BC 0
BC 2, PC 1

Grant Salzano:

Minnesota 4, BC 0
BC 1, Providence 1

AJ Black:

BC 3, Minnesota 1
PC 2, BC 1

BCI Prediction Standings

Brian narrowly edged BCJacket5 last week on the strength of his dead-on BC 4, Maine 1 prediction.

STANDINGS

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

Can the Eagles upset the Gophers? Can they continue their climb up the Hockey East standings tomorrow night in Providence? Leave your thoughts and predictions below.