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As we head into the 2016-17 college hockey season, there are a lot of question marks for BC fans. A summer of mass departures leaves the team with a new pair of goalies, a lot of freshmen, and a few returning stars (thank you, Colin White). Expectations for the season at BCI range from overly optimistic (me) to overly pessimistic and everything in between.
Regardless of how the season turns out, BC fans should look forward to getting to watch some terrific college hockey teams this season. If you only watch a few games this year, make them the following. (But you should probably watch all of the games.)
October 21, 7 PM - Colorado College: On October 21st BC takes on Colorado College at Conte for their home opener. The Eagles went 2-0 against Colorado College last season and are 15-5-1 against the Tigers overall. This shouldn't be a tough game for BC (Colorado College has really struggled in recent years and won only 6 games last season), but it is the home opener and is a good opportunity to see what this year's Eagles squad has to offer.
November 27, 1 PM - Minnesota: The Eagles will face college hockey powerhouse Minnesota on November 27. Depending on how early the freshmen begin making an impact this season this game could be really fun or really rough. The Eagles last played Minnesota in 2014, losing 6-2 at home. The Golden Gophers went 20-17-0 last season Their season ended with a B1G Tournament loss to Michigan.
December 3, 7:30 PM - North Dakota at Madison Square Garden: The College Hockey Showdown will pit 2016 NCAA champs, the North Dakota Fighting HAWKS against the Eagles. Both teams made the Frozen Four last season, but North Dakota's team remains more intact. This will be a really tough game for BC to win, but it will be an experience.
December 29, 4:30 PM - Quinnipiac in Pittsburgh: The Eagles will have a chance to try to get revenge on the team that knocked them out of the Frozen Four - Quinnipiac. Quinnipiac is a rising hockey power, and it should be fun to get to see a BC team that is (hopefully) less tired and banged than last season's Frozen Four squad taking on the Wildcats.
January 7, 5 PM - Providence at Fenway: Just kidding.
February 6, 8 PM - BU at TD Garden: BC plays BU in the first round of the Beanpot. BU is going to have a really good team this year, so this will be a challenge. But BC has dominated the Beanpot in past years, and no matter what, Beanpot games are can't miss games.