Will Jerry York Take His Throne as College Hockey King Tonight?

Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports

The 2012-13 Boston College men’s ice hockey season is only two months old, but a moment for which tuned-in Eagles fans have waited may finally be upon us.

Jerry York, the venerable coach of the team who played here, came back here, and built one of the most elite programs in the country here, is on the verge of history. Last weekend, in a nationally-televised home victory over Boston University, York won his 924th career game, tying him with Ron Mason for the most wins all-time. Tonight’s road contest against Providence will be his first attempt at shattering the record and taking sole possession of the top spot.

There are several reasons to believe that tonight is the night — which would explain why Providence sold out this hockey game (and Boston College will likely have a very large contingent in attendance). First, the Eagles are #2 in the country, having won eleven of the thirteen games they’ve played so far. Second, the Friars are not terrible, but at 7-6-1, they’re far from elite. Third but not least, Boston College has won every game they’ve played against Providence since Feb. 27, 2009. If you’re counting at home, the Eagles and Friars have met 12 times in that span. They also have not lost outright to Providence since Feb. 29, 2008, making BC 14-0-2 in their last sixteen games against the Friars.

It would be terribly ironic if Boston College hockey were to lose to this team tonight for the first time in almost five years. If they don’t get it done tonight, the record will have to wait at least several more weeks until the post-Christmas tournament in Minnesota. York is humble enough that he probably doesn’t care about his own personal glory, but I don’t think the players or fans are willing to wait that long.

Boston College as a whole has the utmost respect for York, and in hearing how his team speaks of him, there is plenty of idolizing going on. They want this remarkable achievement for him, and if BC’s recent history against Providence is to be continued, then they will get it for York tonight.