It has has been a good first half of the season for The Eagles, as the team is currently third in the pairwise and first in Hockey East (only by a point). It is pretty amazing how BC has been able to maintain it's stranglehold on the league lead for so long but with a tough league schedule to open up 2012, it will be difficult to maintain that postion. I read somewhere today that BC's second half schedule is a lot easier than the first half but let me tell you, it may not be tougher but it is pretty darn tough. BC still has to go to Maine (x2), play NU (x2), MC (x3), maybe BU in the Beanpot and not to mention the non conference games at the Great Lakes Invitational just after Xmas. Going into this season, many people including myself were wondering if BC was going to even make the NCAA's and now I think they are legitimate national title contenders, not just NCAA tourney contenders. The cool thing is that BC has won so many games without maybe their best defenseman in Patrick Wey who should be back for the Christmas tournament in Michigan. Wey will make an immediate impact on not just the defensive core but also the PP and PK for the Eagles. I am really liking a couple of things about this team right now. The first being that they have a really good lineup top to bottom. While last years team was probably more skilled and a tad better this years Eagles are deeper in my opinion. Last year, the fourth line never really played but this year they are rightfully getting tons of minutes thanks to their great play on both ends of the ice. Another thing I like about this team is how much talent it has. Everybody on this team has talent because you don't go to BC is you don't have talent but I think this years team has a lot of talent in every phase. When it all comes together like the games vs UNH, North Dakota, Maine, and that lovely game last Saturday this team is scary and I mean scary good. One more thing I like about this team is the effort it gives night in and night out. If you look at it, BC hasn't lost a "bad" game all year, some would say UMass but the Minutemen are undefeated @ the Mullins. Denver, BU, Lowell, and Notre Dame are all very good hockey teams that BC lost to. Every night, BC seems to give a really solid effort on both ends and trust me, the hard work will result in more victories down the stretch.
As for Hockey East, the league is as deep as ever. Every night anyone can beat anyone literally. There are no more games where you cans ay "ok once we beat them we get to them". Whether it's Vermont or BU, the Eagles must be ready every night because every team out there wants to beat BC. If you ask any other player on any other Hockey East team what game would you like to win the most, I would bet you every single one would say BC. Teams and their fans get so excited for BC to come to their barn meaning the Eagles must be ready for their opponents absolute best effort night in and night out. BC has been pretty good so far on the road in league play so far with a 4-2 record (none better then that amazing Saturday night). In the second half though, BC has to play seven league road games in very tough environments like Maine (x2) and UMass. It should be a fun ride this second half and I know if this team comes together which I think they are starting to do, they will do really special things as the year progresses. Here are my power rankings. Have a great holiday and Go Eagles.
1. BC/BU tied.
2. Merrimack
3. Northeastern
4. Lowell
5. Providence
6. UNH
7. Maine
8. UMass
9. UVM
No comments:
Post a Comment