January 19 Hockey East Power Rankings: Eagles Soar, Then Sore
Apr 10, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston College Eagles goalie Thatcher Demko (30) makes a save against the Union Dutchmen during the second period in the semifinals of the Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports Last week: Boston College (L), UMass-Lowell (W)
The Eagles got out of the Terriers exactly what they needed this weekend. If only they had not dealt themselves a major blow by losing to Maine. Either way, the Terriers will probably hold at right around where they are in the polls, perhaps falling a spot or two due to their loss to BC, but they are the conference’s best team. Last week: Maine (W), Boston University (L)
The River Hawks missed a premium chance to take firm control of Hockey East when they faced BU, but their loss kept things wide open. On the bright side, they are way better than the experts predicted in the preseason. Last week: Northeastern (L, T)
For a team that had been rolling along, Vermont had themselves a bad weekend against Northeastern. Yet another thing that broke Boston College’s way, but for their own failure on Sunday afternoon. Now they are set for a double-dip against Boston University up in Burlington, a series that could tell us definitively how good this Vermont team really is. Last week: New Hampshire (L)
Meanwhile, Providence took a lousy loss themselves at the hands of the New Hampshire Wildcats. When they return to action, it’s two against UMass-Lowell and one against Boston College, two of the three on the road. It will be a tough stretch for Providence to weather, but they will come out all the stronger if they do.
Boston College hockey could have taken a step forward in the January 19 Hockey East power rankings. All they did instead was cancel out a huge victory.
Such is the problem when you beat the second-best team in the nation in their own building on Friday night and then fall to one of the worst teams in Division I men’s hockey less than 48 hours later. Even in the hockey program, Boston College sports teams cannot help but deal themselves needless setbacks.
How about the rest of the conference and where they stand with about a month and a half to go until the conference tournament?
January 19 Hockey East Power Rankings: Top Third
1
Boston University Terriers 13-4-4
Last week: Boston College (L), UMass-Lowell (W)
Last rank: 1st
The Eagles got out of the Terriers exactly what they needed this weekend. If only they had not dealt themselves a major blow by losing to Maine. Either way, the Terriers will probably hold at right around where they are in the polls, perhaps falling a spot or two due to their loss to BC, but they are the conference’s best team.
2
UMass-Lowell River Hawks 15-5-3
Last week: Maine (W), Boston University (L)
Last rank: 2nd
The River Hawks missed a premium chance to take firm control of Hockey East when they faced BU, but their loss kept things wide open. On the bright side, they are way better than the experts predicted in the preseason.
3
Vermont Catamounts 15-6-2
Last week: Northeastern (L, T)
Last rank: 3rd
For a team that had been rolling along, Vermont had themselves a bad weekend against Northeastern. Yet another thing that broke Boston College’s way, but for their own failure on Sunday afternoon. Now they are set for a double-dip against Boston University up in Burlington, a series that could tell us definitively how good this Vermont team really is.
4
Providence Friars 14-8-1
Last week: New Hampshire (L)
Last rank: 4th
Meanwhile, Providence took a lousy loss themselves at the hands of the New Hampshire Wildcats. When they return to action, it’s two against UMass-Lowell and one against Boston College, two of the three on the road. It will be a tough stretch for Providence to weather, but they will come out all the stronger if they do.
