BC Men’s Hockey To Face Boston University In The Hockey East Semifinals: NESN, Friday At 5pm

Boston College Men’s Hockey kept their season alive last night after completing a weekend sweep of the Merrimack Warriors. But there’s more work to be done.

The Eagles have managed to climb themselves squarely onto the Pairwise bubble with a strong run over the last few weeks and currently hold the last at-large position in the NCAA tournament in 15th position. Boston University is in a tougher spot as they currently sit on the wrong side of the bubble in 17th.

That mean’s this Friday’s Hockey East semifinal between the two rivals plays out as one of the biggest games between the two teams in years. It’s the first time since 2006 that both teams enter a game with the opportunity to end the other team’s season. That year, the two teams faced off in the NCAA regional final with a Frozen Four berth on the line — the Eagles game away with a shocking 5-0 victory.

This year, the winner of the Hockey East semifinal will stay alive to play for the Hockey East title on Saturday, with the loser going home without a shot at national tournament play.

For the Eagles, the game has even bigger implications: if BC can knock off the Terriers, Boston College would face a realistic shot of making the tournament even with a loss in the Hockey East championship game, provided no autobids outside the top 15 in the Pairwise take their conference title in an upset. Boston University technically has the same opportunity, but as they’re currently on the wrong side of the bubble, it’s really only a mathematical shot more than anything.

Friday’s game will be televised live on NESN at 5pm from the TD Garden. There hasn’t been a BC/BU game with this kind of season-ending implications in years. If you’re able to make it downtown on Friday afternoon, make sure you show up at the Garden in person!