Tomorrow night, the #3 Eagles will take on a red hot Providence team that is coming off a sweep of the former #1 Merrimack Warriors. The Friars are now ranked # 20 in the USCHO polls and are tied for 16th in the Pairwise. Nate Lehman is in his first year at PC and really seems to have them playing outstanding hockey especially when it comes to special teams. PC had five power play goals in their Saturday win @ Merrimack. In terms of stats the Friars have scored the third most goals in the league behind BC and UNH and they rank fourth in the league in terms of PP %. Providence ranks first in the league in goaltending as they are led by SR goalie Alex Beaudry who is maybe the best goalie not just in the league but in the country. The Friars are led by Hockey East player of the month for November Tim Schaller as he has potted nine goals and four assist so far this season. Overall, I am looking forward to seeing just how good PC is after their big weekend sweep of the Warriors and seeing how they can compare to the Eagles who are coming off a big momentum win @ BU.
Players to watch out for-
Tim Schaller (9 G 4 A). Leads team with thirteen points.
Derek Army (5 G, 6 A)
Alex Beadry-Best goalie in Hockey East
Keys for the Eagles
1. Goaltending. Brian Billett will be in net. BC needs to limit the PC shots to being fron the point because thats where Billett seems to be really solid
2. PK. Providence had four PP goals vs a MC team that normally has a very good PK. The Eagles need to stay out of the box and when they are in the box they need to get the pucks up and out.
3. PP. I would like to see some goals out of the PP. They have been working the puck a lot better, now they just need some results.
4. Get grade A chances on Beaudry. Shots from the point won't get by him. The Eagles need to get great shots from high percentage areas.
Last time out- BC beat PC 3-0 @ Schneider Arena in January last year. BC is 102-45-12 all time vs the Friars. This is Nate Lehman's first game vs Boston College. PC has not beat BC since February of 2008.
Prediction- BC 3-1
No comments:
Post a Comment