BC - UMass Quarters

[claver2010]

BC, the number two seed in HE faces off against the number seven seed UMass. BC swept the season series 3-0 by an aggregate of 12-3, however the most recent game it took OT before Chris Kreider scored as time wound down. In that game, UMass was able to take BC out of their game by slowing the pace, BC was outshot and did not draw a single penalty (something unheard of given the speed of BC's forwards). Modeling the game plan that UML was able to prefect against BC in the middle of February. Given some of the possibilities this is one of the teams that I felt BC matched up most favorably with (them and Mack).

For UMass, they got off to a torrid start at 9-2-0 before Thanksgiving, however since Thanksgiving they have really tailed off 7-14-0 (including a 4 game winning streak), before sweeping a goalie-less Maine in Orono. They currently rank 8th in HE in scoring at 2.88 goals per game and 6th in goals allowed per game at 3.12. One stat that is alarming for them and could be a major issue for the Minutemen, they rank last in HE in PK % at 77.5%, allowing roughly 1 PP goal per game, while BC is #1 in HE at 86.1%. For UMass to have a chance to advance to the Garden this year their hopes are going to rest on junior goaltender Paul Dainton. While mediocre numbers wise, 8th in GAA (2.93) & save % (.906), which one will show up for the Minutemen? Will it be the goalie who allowed 4 goals on 12 shots in 1 period and was yanked in a 7-1 loss, or will it be the goalie who saved 31 out of 33 and deserved a better fate in a 2-1 OT loss? For UMass to have a chance, it will need to be the latter. UMass has two forwards that carry the bulk of their scoring in junior James Marcou (10-36-46) and sophomore Casey Wellman (20-21-41). Marcou ranks #2 in assists and #7 in points nationally and was considered a Hobey Baker contender around Christmas but has really faded, coinciding with his teams' fall. UMass does not boast a deep scoring attack as only 5 players have more than 17 points, compared to BC with 9.

For BC, as per usual with a Jerry York team they are peaking at the right time, 9-2-1 after a disappointing weekend in late January. Long separated from the logjam inside HE, the only question facing the Eagles as the regular season wound down was whether it would be the #1 or #2 in HE. After a disappointing tie in Durham, NH where BC blew a 3 goal lead on the big sheet for the second time this year, the Eagles had to settle for #2. While BC has assured itself a spot in the NCAA tourney, they are playing for a #1 seed and to stay close to home, currently #4 in the PWR they are currently in position to do so (for those PWR nerds out there root for Maine & Mack). While BC is always known for a high octane offense the surprise, as a unit, this year has to be the play on teh blue line. They finished the year #1 in goals against by more than 10 goals in 27 games, a question mark with 3 freshman, 2 sophomores, & 1 senior comprising the core to start the year, it has been a very pleasant surprise. This is core is lead by freshman Brian Dumoulin who leads HE in +/- and is a great first pass defenseman, he registered his first goal in the last game of the year at the end of the 2nd period. Offensively, BC is led by a big three of Brian Gibbons (15-27-42), Cam Atkinson (21-20-41) & Joe Whitney (13-18-31) who have gelled after being put together as a line to start 2010. The huge question surrounding BC this playoffs is who will be in between the pipes for the stretch run? Here are the stats for the two goalies:
Muse: 12-8-2, 2.40 GAA, .910
Milner: 9-2-1, 2.10 GAA, .914
Personally I do think Muse will start game 1 and we'll go from there. Something that cannot be overstated is the BC senior's record in HE & NCAA play is: 17-2, including 10-1 in HE play.

I expect BC to sweep this series as UMass doesn't have the firepower to keep up with BC.

Here is York's conference call from this week: http://hockeyeastonline.com/media/audio/3-9-10confcall/york.mp3

Some highlights:
1) Shea will be benched for freshman Patch Alber
2) Talked of the emergence of Dumoulin
3) No comment on who will be in net this weekend
4) Had a nice comment about Craig Janney not knowing the national picture on Friday night in regards to pulling the goalie. As a note if UNH had scored into the empty net we would have fallen from #5 to #11 in the PWR.

[AdamBC]

Here's the question - will BC Athletics screw up the ticket situation for these games.

A few years ago, when the quarterfinals did not fall during spring break (which happens quite a bit with the early spring break), they sold a bunch of students tickets behind the goals. Since they did not sell all the behind the net seats, they sold the top half to the general public. Athletics awesomeness ensued where the general public sitting behind the student section were pissy that the students in the front half of the section stood the entire game. (FWIW, I refused to sit down, and many of the general public ended up sitting elsewhere by the end of the 1st.) Wonder if we'll get a repeat of such awesometacular planning.

[claver2010]

I'm hearing Milner in net for game 1. We'll see.

[claver2010]

Granted York has forgotten more hockey in the time it took me to type this post than I will ever know but I believe it's the wrong move to put Milner in tonight. But that's why they play the game.

[BCEagle74]

Milner 1 Muse 2?

Never question 3 things in life....The Gospels of Jesus Christ you Lord and Savior, Jerry York and 74....if its Ok with the Redhead of course and I get permission.

[shockdoct]

Looks like we are up 5-2 in the 2nd period.

[claver2010]

6-5 Final.

Ugly UMass scored two in first minute of 3rd. Please Jerry I love you, Muse the rest of the way.

[eepstein0]

6-5 Final.

Ugly UMass scored two in first minute of 3rd. Please Jerry I love you, Muse the rest of the way.

Another request Jerry, stop almost/or actually blowing 3rd period leads.

[claver2010]

It's funny, every time another team plays the trap it's like we've never seen it before.

[claver2010]

With another goal, Chris Kreider has more goals than any freshman since 2000-01 when Chuck Kobasew had 27 (don't see Kreider catching that one).

[shockdoct]

Man...if only kobasew didn't get hme sick...

[bcsoxfan12]

Almost gave away the game last night in the 3rd with too much relaxed play. I hope Muse will start tonight and beyond. Nice to see the article motivated students to show up last night !!!! Where were the alumni/fans ?? I thought I was at a Bball game......let's string together a solid 60 tonight and head to the Garden next weekend. Who do you think will start for UMASS tonight....will they stick with Dainton or give Meyers a shot?

[claver2010]

I assume it is Dainton tonight.

It is Muse tonight

[claver2010]

Wey also out, Shea in.

[1981Eagle]

BC wins 5-2 and on to the semis. UNH loses to UVM 1-0 forcing a third game.

[claver2010]

SWEEP!!!

[claver2010]

BU Mack going to OT
UML Maine going to game 3

[claver2010]

MACK WINS!!

[Puerto Rico Eagle]

Claver, know anything about student tix for next week @ The Ghaden?

[claver2010]

I recall $20 for the three game pack but not sure will get back to you as soon as I find out

[BCEagle74]

Extra day of rest.

All 3 other go 3 games.

Thsi team has some great scoring balance if you look at the boxscores --wow!

[shockdoct]

I would encourage anyone to order the "sports pack" from your cable/sat provider and you can watch the games this weekend on NESN.

[claver2010]

Game 2 Postgame Press Conferences:

[BCEagle74]

They should take this 9 minutes of pure gold and make it a time capsule of how to raise your child, teach your kids, how to respect your opponent, how to play any sport and why as I said many moons ago Jerry York is a class treasure and a gift from God.

Even Don Cahoon was dignified, respectful and classy and made no excuses.

THIS SHOULD BE A TRAINING FILM FOR THE NCAA ON HOW TO CONDUCT YOURSELF AS A COACH AND PLAYER AT AN NCAA EVENT CHAMPIONSHIP! PURE SPORTSMANSHIP 101!!

WOW!!!!

That Lombardi kid was so humble and classy and these kids are a reflection of the moral character and integrity of Jerry York. That is why they win. Humble, hard working, lunch pail, no primadonnas, no fights at Roggies, no dope smokers, no lazy bastards like Al's jerks, just kids that make me and us so busting and beaming proud of BC and one day you hope your kid plays and acts like Matt Lombardi!

You don't win 24 out of 32 NCAA games and go 2-4-2 in Frozen Fours where a tricky bounce and bad call can defeat a dominant team without Jerry York, and when it did happen, you are right back there next year and no excuses like that lemon faced hypocrite asshole TOB.

I have said 100X...with the excuses and performance of Al Skinner and TOBLUNDERS0-13 and SPAZOO0-1, and their pre and post game press conferences, excuse after excuse, and explanations and throwing kids under the bus and lack of discipline on the field or court, >>>>that how could none of the genius, magic, lessons, teaching methods, scheduling the big teams outside the conference for preparation for the NCAA's---- or aura of Jerry York no rub off on these Yawkey Yokel assclowns?????

For years we have heard since TOB went to the USNA and was a Marine that his teams were disciplined. The NCAA stats and play and halo violations --when the rule was in effect--and jumping offsides in the red zone proved him to be the opposite, but ESPN and Ron Franklin still sing that ESPN house choir crap and play that organ and try and brainwash America!

JERRY YORK IS A DISCIPLINARIAN!

...and now we have 3 solid lines and our checking line has some scoring confidence!

I can't wait for the NCAA's!!

That video was a BC Classic. Save it for your kids! PURE GOLD...AND MAROON!!!