BC vs. Northeastern: Rematch number one

I thought about something while doing my Beanpot preview earlier this week: Boston College and Northeastern will play three consecutive hockey games against one another. Hypothetically, let’s say BC could only win two. Would you rather win the Beanpot and fork over two Hockey East points, or lose the Beanpot to the tournament’s equivalent of a D-2 school and win both Hockey East games? Of course, we don’t have to make that choice, nor can we, but it’s kind of interesting to think about when weighing what really matters more in the course of a season.

When you do get around to thinking about it, you realize that this game against Northeastern tonight and the one tomorrow are more important. The Beanpot has high sentimental value in the Boston hockey sphere, and in college hockey in general, but winning or losing the Beanpot doesn’t change much. These next two games, however, will have a say in who rides into the Hockey East Tournament as the top seed, at least as far as the Eagles are concerned. There are up to four Hockey East points on the table for BC, and seeing as how they’re tied with New Hampshire in the latest standings, they could use all the help they can get.

Northeastern is not in imminent danger of missing the Hockey East Tournament, but doubtlessly they will still want to exact some revenge for their 7-6 overtime defeat at the TD Garden. Boston College, on the other hand, is very much in prime shape to win the regular-season title, but has to continue collecting wins in the conference as they have been. Including their Beanpot triumph, the #1 Eagles have won seven games in a row and an impressive fourteen out of their last fifteen.

There isn’t much I can tell you about Northeastern that you can’t gain from the Beanpot preview article, aside from the fact that Northeastern had their best goal output of the season on Monday night with six. Jerry York and the guys just need to keep on keeping on, and they can do that with yet another win. The puck drops at 7pm, sans TV.