Boston College 2011-12 in Review, Part III: Men’s Hockey

Some figured that with the way UMass played some tough games against the Eagles in the regular season, this would be a hard series, perhaps even going a full three games. Boston College would have none of that, however, earning two hard-fought wins over the Minutemen, 2-1 and 3-2, respectively, to close it out in the minimum number of games. A recurring theme, as it would be later in March and in through April, was Parker Milner getting the job done and his offense making enough big plays to keep the momentum going.

Fortune favored Boston College in the semifinal, as #7 seed Providence advanced and had a date with the Eagles by virtue of their quarterfinals win over UMass-Lowell in three games. BC had a long win streak over the Friars, about as long as their active win streak at that point, and neither ended at the TD Garden. Their 4-2 win sent them back to the title game, facing the same Maine team that embarrassed them two months earlier.

According to an old Klingon proverb, revenge is a dish best served cold. Boston College avenged their embarrassment in Orono with a solid 4-1 win on St. Patrick’s Day at the TD Garden, winning the Lamoriello Trophy for the third year in a row and fifth time in six years. By then, the Eagles had long-since re-established their #1 ranking and were rewarded accordingly in the next day’s NCAA Tournament selection.