This weekend, the Eagles will finish off their season series with the Providence College Friars with a game @ Schneider Arena on Friday and a home game on Saturday. In the only meetings between the two so far this season, BC defeated PC by a score of 4-1 on 12/6 @ Conte Forum. In that game, the Eagles outshot the Friars by a 30-17 margin and also recorded a power play goal. Since then, the Friars have stayed around the middle of the pack in Hockey East with some notable wins vs Maine, Lowell, and @ UMass. The big twist in this series is that the leading scorer for both teams is currently questionable for the game on Friday. For BC, forward Chris Kreider is down with the flu and for Providence, Sr Tim Schaller left last Fridays game vs NU with an undisclosed injury (He didn't play Saturday). If Kreider is not able to play for the Eagles, expect senior Tommy Atkinson to take his spot in the lineup and for the lines to be switched around. Senior goalie Alex Beaudry is currently the all time saves leader in Providence hockey history and has made the fourth most saves in Hockey East this season behind Chris Rawlings, Kieran Milan, and Joe Cannata.
With Schaller most likely being out, the Friars will turn to forwards Ross Mauermann, who leads the team in points and Mark Bergland who has the third most points for the Friars this season. The Friars currently rank 9th in terms of total offense in Hockey East averaging just 2.70 goals a game and just 81 goals on the entire season. In terms of special teams, the Friars rank second to last in power play percentage with a 17% conversion rate. On the penalty kill, the Friars rank 5th in the league with a 80% kill rate this season. In their first meeting vs the Eagles, the Friars took five penalties but also recorded one power play goal. The Friars end the season with one of the tougher schedules in the country as they take on BC this weekend and get a home and home with Lowell to end the regular season next weekend.
Injury Report
BC- Chris Kreider could be out with the flu. Kreider did not practice on Thursday. We will wait to see what his status is.
PC- Forward Tim Schaller is doubtful with an undisclosed injury suffered last Friday vs Northeastern.
Players to Watch
1. Ross Mauermann. Mauermann currently leads the Friars in overall points as he has recorded 8 goals and 14 assist on the season.
2. Derek Army is fourth on the team in points and also recorded the lone Friar goal in their lost @ Conte Forum on December 6th.
3. Drew Brown. Part of a pretty strong freshman class for the Friars. Second on the team in scoring in terms in freshman.
Keys for the Eagles
1. In Kreider's absence, other guys are going to need to step up. If Kreider is out for Friday, look for guys like Steve Whitney, Pat Mullane, and Kevin Hayes to make big plays.
2. Special Teams. The PK has been very solid as of late and the PP has recorded at least one goal in their last nine games. Let's hope it keeps going this weekend.
3. The transition game. The Friars really like to try to clog up the neutral zone and prevent the Eagles from using all their speed in that area. Look for BC to try to win the battles in between the blue lines.
Series Info
1. BC leads the all time series vs Providence 103-45-12 and has also win the past nine meetings in the series.
Notes
The BC senior class could pick up their 100th win this weekend if they are able to defeat the Friars twice this weekend.
BC is tied with Colgate for most shorthanded goals this season with 11.
Check into @bchockeyblog1 on twitter for updates during tomorrows game @ PC.
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