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

Last week sucked.

After a long winter with BC fans and players alike licking the wounds of not being able to pursue what looked like a significant shot to win a national championship, BC fans and players were looking forward to last week’s start of the new season.

And then, games were cancelled.

It’s a reality of life in a pandemic. BC football has been remarkably well insulated from COVID-19 exposures, but games are expected to be cancelled in times like these.

However, now, finally, it looks like BC should get its season started against No. 7 Massachusetts at Kelley Rink Friday. So let’s talk about it.

Keys to BC Picking Up Four Points This Weekend

1. Not Cancelling Both Games: Last week BC wanted to start its season with four points against New Hampshire. BC’s efforts were thwarted by both games being cancelled. In my experience, it is very hard to get any points from games that aren’t played, and not having the games played was as significant detriment. If BC wants to get four points this weekend, they need to actually play the games to have a chance.
2. Solving UMass’ goaltending duo: UMass has a spoil of riches in net between Filip Lindberg and Matt Murray who are amongst the nation’s best in net. However, they’re not impossible to solve. Last year, when BC travelled to the Mullins Center the Eagles torched Murray for three goals in the second period on an eight shot barrage. Murray and Lindberg aren’t easy goaltenders to beat, but once you do the Minutemen are that much easier to defeat.
3. Winning the special teams battle: One fault of the Minutemen last year was the power play. However, the Minutemen also was deadly on the penalty kill, good for ninth in the country. It’s too early in the year to see if the Minutemen will continue those trends, but special teams could be a good matchup to watch out for.

Random, Possibly Incorrect Fact From UMass’ Wikipedia Page

I mean, if we’re not talking about their supposedly Division I-A football program here are we really writing an article on this site?

Barley and Hops Based Alcoholic Beverage of the Game

Natural Light

Look, we have been waiting for hockey for so long, literally anything will do. Like we just want hockey at this point. This is a beer that encapsulates that emotion.

Prediction:

I think the Eagles come out of the weekend with two points. I say they win the home opener and lose the road game.

Fri: BC 4, UMass 3

Sat: UMass 1, BC 0