Boston College Men’s Hockey v. New Hampshire: Preview and Predictions

I have been largely numb to the world around me this pandemic. Everything has felt really weird—things that we once believed to be commonplace and that could be done without second thought suddenly became dangerous and unseemly. And it’s hard not to feel numb—outside of relationships with family, friends and people that I love, everything has felt really numb to me.

And then I saw this:

And I’m not going to lie, I teared up a little bit.

Last year’s end to the season was disappointing—it felt like BC had a real opportunity to put up a new banner in the rafters of Conte Forum and it was taken away. Players like David Cotton and the Mattilas missed out on their best chance to win a title, and the fact that they handled things with such class made things that much more uncomfortable.

But most of all, I don’t think anyone really knew when the new season would start. I don’t think anyone really knew if a new season would start.

But, dang it, we’re going to have some college hockey on our TV sets this season. It’ll be a little weird with no fans (don’t even think about it), a weekend series already got postponed, the Beanpot isn’t happening this year, but college hockey is indisputably back.

Let’s get ready for it.

Streaming Update:

For those of you who didn’t see it, Hockey East announced a television deal with NESN to show a number of games on cable. For my fellow college hockey fans from outside New England, never fear! Everything you ever will need to know for how to stream games can be found on Hockey East’s website. Every game will be streamed on either NESN’s streaming services or via CollegeSportsLive.

What To Watch For

1. Picking Up Where We Left Off: BC looked primed to make a run to the Frozen Four last year before the pandemic took the rest of the season away from us. A number of players have returned for another crack at the national championship. The Eagles have a real ability to return to form to start the season, and you better believe the Eagles are going to want to do so to start this abbreviated season in the right foot.
2. Canada Bound: That start will have to be without one of the Eagles’ best scoring threats in Alex Newhook. Newhook is expected to be selected for World Juniors for Canada, and left Boston to quarantine in Canada before Hockey Canada starts its World Junior camp. Because of the quarantine, Newhook won’t be available until January, which is a huge blow for the Eagles.
3. Off To Fast Starts: The Eagles will pick up right where they left off against New Hampshire which turned out to be one of BC’s most dangerous foes with the Eagles coming out of the weekend with only one point. The Eagles were +25 in the first period last year, and the Eagles will need fast starts to put away the Wildcats early.
4. Knight Time: What more can be said about the ever reliable Spencer Knight? Knight forwent a possible shot at the NHL to come back, and he will need to be as good as he was last year between the pipes to give the Eagles a chance to succeed.

Random, Possibly Incorrect Fact from UNH’s Wikipedia Page

UNH is the most expensive in-state state school in the country.

Barley and Hops Based Alcoholic Beverage of the Game

Miller High Life

Man, I just feel like celebrating right now. We can’t drink champagne yet because that’s reserved for the end of the season, but for now let’s celebrate that hockey is finally back with the champagne of beers.

Prediction

New Hampshire gave BC a lot of trouble last year. BC was without its biggest goal scorer in a series with not a whole lot to play for. I don’t think they make that mistake this year. BC is the better team, and I think it shows it this weekend, and I say the Eagles get through the weekend with four points.

BC 4, UNH 1 (Fri.)

BC 3, UNH 2 (Sat.)