Monday, November 11, 2013

Eagles Trounce Black Knights


Matty Gaudreau records his first goal. Photo by Dave Arnold.
If you thought BC's Friday night blowout of Boston University was bad, you wouldn't believe what happened last night @ Conte Forum. The Eagles absolutely annihilated the Army Black Knights by an 11-0 count in front of a pleasant crowd of 5,492. It was the first time Boston College has scored eleven goals since November 19th, 1984 when they put the same number up on Holy Cross. I'm going to keep my analysis of this game short and sweet because it's all summed up in one sentence, that game was a group of men versus a group of boys, on the ice. Off the ice however, I thought it was extremely classy for BC to have a moment of applause for all those Army kids. I wish nothing but the best to that team and their coaching staff. Thank you for serving our country each and every day.

Of course, Johnny G did his thing and made the Army defenseman look like a bunch of traffic cones but the thing I was most pleased with was BC's power play. Sure, it was against an inferior penalty killing unit but they moved it around well and finally, potted a few goals. They finished at three for five on the day. It's their second multi-goal game of the season on the power play. The biggest question mark surrounding this club over the summer was the freshmen class and how much they could come in and contribute. As a group, they were terrific last night as Matthew Gaudreau recorded his first colligate goal, Adam Gilmour, Ryan Fitzgerald, and Austin Cangelosi all picked up three points, and the defense did a fantastic job, evident by the zero shown on the scoreboard at the end of the game.

Lost in all the goals and celebrations however was a game misconduct given to Steven Santini in the third period for contact to the head. I left after BC made it 7-0 so I didn't actually see the hit but from what I have heard, the Army player was on the ice for a good period of time. The worst part about this whole situation is that Santini will now have to sit out BC's game @ UMass-Amherst on Thursday night due to the fact that he was given a misconduct. Given that it was the third period in an 8-0 hockey game, it probably wasn't the best move to go out there and try to take someone's head off.

Anyways, a win is a win and the process of becoming the best team in college hockey by April continues but there is no doubt that both games this weekend were two huge steps in the right direction. BC played some excellent hockey teams like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Northeastern, and RPI early in the season and obviously, that has prepared them well for the lesser teams such as BU and Army. Many have questioned why BC scheduled this game but in reality, I don't think you want to go against the powerhouses like Minnesota and Michigan night in and night out. The fact that this team has gotten to this point in the season with this record, to me, is impressive. All is well in Eagle Hockey land.

Positives- 

1. Johnny G was out of this world. I'll post the highlights right after this post. Watch. Also, he was named Hockey East player of the week.

2. The power play was excellent. Loved the way they moved it, Fitzgerald's goal was the prettiest goal by either unit this season.

3. Billett continues to make this a competition. Sure, it's Army but a shutout is a shutout. He will play next Friday.


Negatives- 

1. Santini's game misconduct in the third period of a 8-0 game. Since he is out Thursday, Teddy Doherty will go.

Player of the game- There were a lot but I'll go with Johnny G.....it was also nice to see Matty Gaudreau pick up his first goal in his first appearance. Certainly a nice day for the Gaudreau family.

Next Up- @ UMass on Thursday night.







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