Massachusetts at Boston College: Let’s Try That Again
By Joe Micik
Boston College’s first game at the Conte Forum’s Kelley Rink this season didn’t go as well as hoped. The Eagles are banking on game two being a lot better.
On Friday evening at 7pm, BC will host Hockey East rival UMass in an untelevised game (but one that you can doubtlessly watch for a fee or listen to for free on BCEagles.com).
We know what Boston College’s story is: they’re #1 in the nation for the second-straight week, are 3-1 on the young season, and most recently defeated New Hampshire, 5-1, in their first conference game of the year. They’ve done nothing yet to show any sort of weakness; Denver simply played better in the only game they lost, and all the others were dominant performances.
As for UMass, they’re off to a 1-1-1 start (tied Northeastern, beat Bentley, and lost to Providence, in order), which leaves them with just one early point in two Hockey East games so far. Statistically, and it’s still early to look at but I’m going to do it anyway, they’re all over the map. They are averaging four goals per game, which has them tied for third in the conference, but have also given up four goals per game, which is eighth. On man-advantages, the Minutemen are quite conflicted: they have the second-best power play so far, having cashed in on 4 of 19 opportunities, but have the worst penalty kill at 12 of 16. I suppose this is how you end up being 1-1-1 through three games.
Boston College, on the other hand, has done a great job considering the difficulty level of their schedule so far. They’ve gotten points from some of their usual suspects, but also from some new faces. Bill Arnold and his seven points lead the team, but freshman and fellow Calgary prospect John Gaudreau has six. Chris Kreider, Barry Almeida, and Pat Mullane all have five. In total, 14 Eagles had at least one point in the first four games. Kreider leads the Eagles in goals so far with three.
The UMass points leader, again with seven, is senior TJ Syner. Rangers prospect Daniel Hobbs, also a senior, is next with five, as is Michael Pereira. 12 Minutemen have found their way into the point column in three games, but only seven of them on goals. Each leading the team with three goals a piece are Hobbs and Pereira.
As is the case with virtually every game the Eagles will play between now and, say, the NCAA Tournament, there is no reason to believe that Boston College will lose. Sure, they could have an off-night and get caught, but, throwing out the early records, the Eagles are simply a better team and will be looking to get their first win on their home ice.
On a final note, the crowd at the Denver game last week was great. Even though I wasn’t physically part of it, I would say it was amongst the best I have seen. Yeah, it’s just UMass, but it’s also your Boston College Eagles. Students, you know where Conte Forum is, so keep going to the games.