True Contender?

[pick6pedro]

Let me start this question by saying I am not a hockey first guy, and am relatively uneducated when it comes to hockey. It takes me a little while after football season to really start getting into hockey and it's usually just in time for a strong BC run. For some reason this team, despite contending for the HE crown and being highly ranked in PWR, has me feeling differently than the national title contenders of the past. Let me also say, I have no doubts about Lord York's abilities as a coach, etc. I'm not questioning him here at all. I'm wondering what other people's thoughts are as to where this team stacks up against past teams that have made FF runs and their chances relative to the field.

EDIT: The 0-1-1 versus currently projected tourney teams, dropping points against some inferior opponents in poor showings down the stretch (compared to teams of the past who have steam-rolled their way into the post season), and a feeling that HE is down have left me far less confident going into the NCAAs than in years past. Of course we have 2 more against a top opponent and the HET, but is my feeling legit? Is is just negativity carrying over from my hoops/football frustration? Can someone bolster my confidence please?

[1981Eagle]

Let me start this question by saying I am not a hockey first guy, and am relatively uneducated when it comes to hockey. It takes me a little while after football season to really start getting into hockey and it's usually just in time for a strong BC run. For some reason this team, despite contending for the HE crown and being highly ranked in PWR, has me feeling differently than the national title contenders of the past. Let me also say, I have no doubts about Lord York's abilities as a coach, etc. I'm not questioning him here at all. I'm wondering what other people's thoughts are as to where this team stacks up against past teams that have made FF runs and their chances relative to the field.

The 0-2 versus currently projected tourney teams, dropping points against some inferior opponents in poor showings down the stretch (compared to teams of the past who have steam-rolled their way into the post season), and a feeling that HE is down have left me far less confident going into the NCAAs than in years past. Of course we have 2 more against a top opponent and the HET, but is my feeling legit? Is is just negativity carrying over from my hoops/football frustration? Can someone bolster my confidence please?

Campion and 74 say Viagra is good for confidence. Mosi swears by Levitra. 81 wouldn't know as he gets wood on command. Feel better?

[claver2010]

HE is down from top contenders this year but is deep and should make for a very competitive HE tourney (as seen by the 4-9 teams separated by 3 points).

Nationally, there are three teams that have separated from the pack: Denver, Miami, & Wisconsin (rated 1-2-3 in the PWR).

Denver is the best team I have seen all year, plain and simple. They present a relentless offensive attack and are the only team that I have seen this year that was able to keep up with us speed wise.

Miami doesn't play in a difficult conference (CCHA -called the Cup Cake Hockey Assocation, while it's improved it isn't yet up with HE & WCHA).
OOC they have:
2 huge wins over St. Cloud St, who is currently tied for #4 in the PWR
1-1-0 at UNH (the only loss UNH has on the big sheet this year)
A loss to Bemidji -who is tied for #4
A tie against NoDak
Got swept by Robert Morris -a that is below .500
They had their big wins early in the season when crazy things happen, granted it all counts the same.

Wisconsin is coached by Mike Eaves, father of former Eagle Pat Eaves. Wisconsin is currently 2nd in WCHA. They are a very solid, consistent team
OOC:
They swept UNH at home
Beat Merrimack 5-4
Tied to Yale
Beat Mich St, lost to Mich in the College Hockey Showcase

What does it mean for BC?
In the East, BC can beat anyone. Yale doesn't scare me, UNH hasn't beat BC in the playoffs since 1997 (I believe), Cornell is an experienced team and playing them in Albany could be difficult.
Outside the east:
Denver is probably the team that BC would want to avoid for as long as possible. That being said, without Kreider we were up 3-1 at their place so we can clearly play with them.
Miami would probably crap itself if it saw another team from Boston in the NCAAs. '09 lost to BU in the finals, '08 lost to BC in the regional finals, '07 lost to BC in regional finals, '06 lost to BC in regional semis.
Don't know enough about Wisconsin to say confidently either way.

Does BC have the guns to win it all this year? Yes. There are two things that might hold us back: 1) Youth, we are an extremely young team on every level. 2) Goaltending, both are very good but who is the man? Hopefully, we'll have a resolution to that soon.

[bcsoxfan12]

There’s no reason we should cruise into the Garden and play in the championship game. HE I honestly don’t see a problem in the HE tourney, I wonder about the youth of our team will be when we move into the NCAA Tourney. There are some tough teams out there that we haven’t played like Cornell, Wisconsin, Michigan St….not to mention our annual NCAA foes Dakota + Miami, and #1 Denver (we know what happened when we played them earlier this year) How will our young guys play in high pressure games? My concern is that HE play this year, in a down year for the league might have us lulled into a false sense of security. We definitely have the talent, and have come off playing great hockey in the month of February….so it would appear like all the pieces are coming together to make a strong NCAA run and another trip to the Frozen Four.

[pick6pedro]

Thanks guys - I appreciate the input. Wish I could be there Saturday - stupid adult obligations (no not a porn shoot, those are Sundays).

[b0mberMan]

Wisconsin is coached by Mike Eaves,brother father of former Eagle Pat Eaves.

[claver2010]

Thanks, sorry had to rush through that.

[b0mberMan]

Thanks, sorry had to rush through that.

Just being a dick. Good write up.

[BCMurt09]

I've been wondering the same thing about this team myself, they seem to have it and the Beanpot win was a great one but I wasn't sure how good this team really was. Thanks for the write up Claver, very good.