UVM Preview and Other Stuff

First of all, I would like to apologize for the fact that I haven't wrote anything over the course of this week as I have been sick the past couple of days. As for the Eagles, they can capture a second straight Hockey East regular season title with two victories over the Vermont Catamounts at home this weekend. In the only meeting between the two this season, the Eagles blew out the Cats @ Gutterson Field House by a score of 6-1. Chris Kreider and Johnny Gaudreau each recorded two goals and an assist in that game to go along with 21 saves from Parker Milner. The Catamounts currently sit in last place in Hockey East and can no longer qualify for the playoffs. The game up @ UVM a couple of weeks ago could have been one of the rougher hockey games I have seen in a while as the teams combined for 38 penalty minutes and were each assessed a 5 minute major. Although the Cats have had a disappointing season, they certainly have a good foundation for next year as they have some pretty good players returning in Stalberg, Brickley, and Bruneteau. The black hole for UVM this season has been the play of their senior goaltender Rob Madore. Coming into the season, Madore was definitely in the conversation concerning the "elite" goalies in Hockey East. This season has not been so good for Madore as he has registered a league worse 3.80 GAA and has also allowed a terrible 94 goals this season (also worst in Hockey East). Now as you all know, BC clinch another Hockey East title with two wins this weekend but let's look at what other scenarios could propel the Eagles to another title.

Scenarios 

IF BU sweeps NU (that would be awful) and BC only pick up one win, the Terriers (unfortunately) would clinch the Hockey East regular season title because they own the tiebreaker vs BC.

IF Lowell sweeps PC, BU and NU split, and BC and UVM split, BC still wins the title.

IF BU takes 3 points and BC only wins one game, BC would still win by one point.

Basically, BC controls their own destiny. 



Heres what I think will happen....

BC will sweep UVM and take the regular season crown.

BU takes 3 of 4 points from NU.

Lowell sweeps Providence and takes third.

Maine beats UNH and finishes fourth

Merrimack and UMass will split meaning UMA would be in the playoffs and MC finishes fifth


IF those are the results..the first round matchups would be...

BC would play UMass

BU would play Providence

UML would play UNH

Merrimack would go to Maine.


Keys for the Eagles vs UVM 

1. The special teams. Vermont took a lot of bad penalties the first time out vs BC and the Eagles took advantage. The PK has also killed off 11 straight PP's.

2. Stay out of the box. VS bad teams like Vermont, the only realistic chance the Cats have is if the Eagles shoot themselves in the foot with stupid penalties.

3. Continue to dominate the game in the neutral zone by using the speed and skill along with nice, crisp passes

Players to Watch 

1. Sebastian Stalberg. One of the better players in Hockey East as he leads the Cats in goals and points with a 12-19-31 line.

2. Connor Brickley  **. Very good player that did not play in the first meeting between the two teams. He may not play this weekend as he got injured vs BU last Saturday and did not return.

3. Kyle Reynolds. Considered by many to be one of the top freshman in the league. Second in Scoring on the Cats roster.

All Time Series- BC is 27-12-4 all time vs UVM and BC beat UVM 6-0 in the last meeting @ Conte Forum on 11/28/10.

Prediction- BC sweeps. 

Until next time,

GO EAGLES.