CoachJF’s Keys To Boston College Beating BU

Following BC’s 3-1 Beanpot semifinal loss to Boston University - their third loss this season against the Terriers - our veteran scribe CoachJF offered up his keys to BC being able to beat the Terriers at any point this season. Over a month later, and with BC’s showdown with BU looming tonight, these keys still hold up:

“For the Eagles to beat BU going forward, in my mind these things need to happen:

Your best players play their best - Colin White needs to play big. The Eagles may be more balanced than most, but in the biggest moments, your best need to carry you. In the 3 games so far White has registered one goal and no assists with nine shots for a -1 plus/minus rating. [Ed. - White had one of his best games of 2017 last Friday night against Vermont, and went in to the playoffs on a bit of a scoring streak down the stretch. He remains someone who can lift the team to victory, and will need to play a huge game tonight.]

Play the game 5 on 5 - Special teams were often advantage BC in past seasons, but this year, in particular against BU, that hasn't been the case. The three BU goals in the 3-0 loss at Conte were all power play goals. At the Beanpot, BU scored one power play goal and one shorthanded goal against the Eagles. Meanwhile, BC’s powerplay sputtered.

Handle the puck - it's one of the concepts that the Eagles have made look so simple over the past 15-20 years. Tape to tape passes, seemingly always on the money, no missteps. There can be so few good opportunities in a hockey game, particularly against a strong defensive team that keeps you on the wall and out of the slot (the one BC goal in the Beanpot was a slot rebound) that they can't be wasted. This Eagle team has had more trouble than I can recall doing the simple things against BU.”

These are three keys to keep an eye on tonight - what else do you think the Eagles have to do to topple the Terriers?