On to the Garden

Congratulations to Brandon Yip, whose parents were at the UVM games, visiting from British Columbia, on becoming the only player in Hockey East history to score two overtime goals in tournament games. Congratulations, too, to Brian Strait, who, a week after having several wisdom teeth removed, earned Hockey East Rookie of the Week honors. It was his second selection as top rookie.

Friday’s Hockey East semifinal with BC is the next challenge for BU and it has implications beyond the conference tournament. Right now, BU is #7 in the Jason Moy, the resident bracktologist at USCHO, has BU as the second seed in the Rochester regional, with a first round game against Michigan State. A victory over the Spartans would match BU with the Notre Dame-Sacred Heart winner.

INCH’s 4x4 projection for the NCAA tournament assumes certain outcomes this weekend, including a Terrier loss to the Eagles. In that scenario, BU would travel to Grand Rapids, again as a second regional seed, for a matchup with Michigan with a win sending the Terriers up against the Notre Dame-Alabama/Huntsville winner.

While bracketology is a murky science, it appears very likely that BU has one added incentive on Friday night. Besides playing its historical rival for the 238th time overall (and 5th time this season) and seeking to defend its Hockey East title, BU can take a major step toward staying in the East for the regionals with a win. A pair of victories this weekend would make it a lock.

Terriers are 4-3-1 since the Beanpot championship game, which, most would agree, was a fortunate win. BC is 8-0 since the teams last met, averaging about 4.5 goals a game with a red-hot power play. While the Terriers certainly face a stiff challenge, Garden/Fleet history is on their side: in the past 10 meetings at that venue, BU has won 8 times, 6 of them by a single goal. Four of the past six meetings on Causeway Street have gone to overtime. Advice for Friday night: clean your fingernails and plan to stay late.

06-07 Beanpot 2-1 ot
05-06 HE 2-1 ot, Beanpot 3-2
04-05 Beanpot 2-1
03-04 Beanpot 1-2 ot
02-03 HE 6-5 2ot, Beanpot 3-2
01-02 Beanpot 5-3
00-01 Beanpot 3-5
99-00 Beanpot 4-1