2023 - 2024 SEASON : Boston College

[bruinsfan11]

We literally had NOTHING going in the 3rd before the tying goal. I think Rand had a solid game plan.

I always try to remove bias when I analyze a game. If you guys wanna say it was “even” ok but I know what I saw.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

I think this discussion about even game/3rd period or not depends on how you look at the game itself. QU was putting on a clinic in terms of trapping (and all the nonsense that comes with it) and moving the puck out of the zone in the third period but they really weren't generating any offense either. And I mean, it WAS a clinic. Not long before the Minnetian goal, I looked up the box score and SOG were 5-3 in the period. SOG aren't always indicative of things but I think in this case they were and it was a fairly even period. But from the other perspective, QU was playing their game and doing so perfectly.

The Minnetian goal will go down in BC history just as much as the Malone goal for me. I think everyone agrees BC likely was going to get one chance there in the 3rd and he sniped it. Ironic because he was struggling with clearing the puck out of the zone all night. I almost blacked out in the arena when he sniped it. It broke QU.

This game had the feel of two very similar games in prior BC history. The 5-4 MSU overtime game against Ryan Miller in 2000 and the 4-3 win over UML in 2014. The MSU game was a wild one but the UML game had an unbelievable sense that we had won given that we trailed entering the 3rd and were facing Hellebuyck. And it was an incredible battle. The common thread in these games? The first team to 3 did not win. In the 52 NCAA tournament games from 1998 to current for the program, this event itself only happened these 2 other times. BC won all 3. Absolutely crazy stuff.

In my mind, Duplessis almost stole this game just in the first period alone. He robbed two great chances (Perreault on the breakaway out of the box being one) in the first and if it's 2-0 against a trap team then it's lights out.

Did NOT like using our review on what seemed like an obvious high stick in the first period as well. Wasn't that also Malone?

Was Will Smith hurt or sick? He seemed way way off this weekend.

Hobey voting is now closed and I will say anyone that votes for a player not named Cutter Gauthier has extra genetic material.

Anyway, bring on Michigan and let's see what happens.

 

[claver2010]

exact team we lose to in tournament (2013 v union, 2014 v union, 2016 v qpac, 2021 v st. cloud.). think it was helpful we played them back in oct, with umlol on the downswing there just aren't many teams that play that style to that level.

we're going to need some more from 34 & 6 next weekend.

hell of a weekend.

 

[DNAEagle]

Agree on Ambrosio, he has had a tough year as a 4th year vet, but those guys Malone, Ambro and Armstrong have been really good for this team and they have accepted their roles. Talented Freshmen and seasoned seniors make for winners. On Friday AMbro was hooked from behind on a breakaway, he drew the penalty but he should have had a penalty shot. I think he is the fastest guy on the team and he surprises the defense with his speed, would love to see him score one. Perreault did have the breakaway in the first and he got stoned, Vinny was up to the task in the first. If they scored in the first it would have been a different game. Leonard compete level is off the charts, he is so talented and so competetive, he draws so much attention from the defense. How about Gasseau on the second goal, he reads the play from the corner goes above the circle where there is some open ice and rifles one top corner, beautiful goal. Tremendous win, BC hockey is back where it belongs.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

exact team we lose to in tournament (2013 v union, 2014 v union, 2016 v qpac, 2021 v st. cloud.). think it was helpful we played them back in oct, with umlol on the downswing there just aren't many teams that play that style to that level.

Great point!

Also yes I'm here to pile onto the Ambrosio fan club with everyone else.

 

[claver2010]

Did NOT like using our review on what seemed like an obvious high stick in the first period as well. Wasn't that also Malone?

Was Will Smith hurt or sick? He seemed way way off this weekend.

live thought it was obvious high stick, on review the puck hit higher on the stick (and lower compared to crossbar) than I initially thought. was close enough that it was going stand whatever they called it on the ice.

wasn't his usual dominant self. he did have a fire suit for easter, complete with bc & st. christopher sewn on the inside, friends of the heights has taken care of our highest pick

 

[J.D.]

I can’t stand Colby Cohen and Bucigross is almost but not quite as bad. I’m happy these games are televised but my god these two are bad. Saying that the penalty against Leonard was a dive on Leonard’s part is un ****ing believable given that BC has three calls just like that go against them three games in a row. That was shoulder to head and should have been a game dq

Colby Cohen also had an extremely embarrassing exchange with some random BC fan on Twitter...DURING the game. He's awful at his job.

 

[J.D.]

Anyone know if GB told Marshall Warren to leave??? Just seems odd the captain doesn’t come back for his covid year, right?

There was a clip of Warren skating at practice before his final home game and he was saying how he was really gonna miss this place. I don't get the sense there is any animosity. I guess you could say BC went out of their way to add Bengtsson from the portal and that could have been Warren's spot. But put yourself in Warren's shoes. You get your BC degree and were on some teams that struggled. You have a unique opportunity to go play a year at Michigan, a program coming off back to back FF appearances. Can't blame him for that and really, it worked out for everyone involved. That's ultimately what you're looking for in the portal world.

He actually scored go ahead goal for Michigan in the 3rd last night but then Mich State tied it. I have watched a lot of Michigan this year and they are brutal defensively. But it doesn't seem like they care. They are just relentless on the attack and are one of the few teams that can match BCs skill. Get ready for what could be a 6-5 type game.

 

[J.D.]

If you told me BC would be down 2-0, 3-2 and 4-3 against QU I would say that is a definite loss. A lot of credit to BC for never letting the game get away and sticking with it. Huge for such a young team to experience a game like this before the FF. And really, if you want to extend that to killing a 5 minute major up 2-1 against Tech...a lot to be proud of even if they didn't play their best this weekend.

QU not getting puck deep on tying goal is one thing but it was kinda stunning seeing Minnetian just waltz right into the slot. But at the same time Gauthier and Jellvik put the Bobcats in a blender on that one. Just a great 1-2 from those guys and QU had no idea what was happening. You can be structured in your system but sometimes you just have no answer for a play like that.

This game definitely had some 2008 Worcester vibes. The start to OT was absolutely brutal for BC. Maybe some nerves but icings, couldn't make a play, losing faceoffs. Brown used the extra timeout after one of the icings and BC wins shortly after. A rebound/scramble in front and Malone cleans it up. All that was missing was the diving theatrical attempt from Joe Whitney that sent BC to Denver.

It has been a real pleasure watching Jack Malone. Wish we had him for four years. Just does all the little things well. Even if you go back and watch Gasseau's goal to tie the game 2-2 it's all a result of Malone kicking the puck in front of him to prevent one clear attempt and then quickly winning a stick battle after that to retain the puck. He can move up and down the lineup with ease. Can play on the PP or set up 4th liner Connor Joyce for a call the other day.

One thing I can't stand these days is you score an OT winner yet Greg Brown is motionless, looking around to make sure it's not being reviewed or challenged for any number of reasons. You'll never top that 2001 emotion after Kolanos scored but man is it good to be reminded how fun this can be. I don't care if it wasn't pretty, that goes down as one of their best NCAA tournament wins. To sleigh the dragon after chasing all game long (a program that was at least a thorn in the side of Jerry York). Doesn't get any easier but it would have been disappointing for this team not to make the FF. Double Hockey East champions and in the FF, this team has delivered on expectations. Not always the case with a young, star studded team.

 

[BC/HE]

There is one highly overlooked factor in the games in Providence. That is the poor quality of the ice. They recently put down ice and it was choppy and soft. That slows down a fast skating and great passing team like BC and is an advantage to trap teams like Michigan Tech and Quinnipiac. Players like Smith and Perreault that are finesse type players are the type most affected by it. There will be no such problem in St. Paul as that rink knows how to maintain the ice in top condition. All 4 schools are high tempo offensive machines that will play that way and be thrilled to have great ice. It will come down to defense and goaltending which favors a BC-BU final. The four schools are the top 4 in goals per game with Denver and BC quite a bit ahead of the others. Defensively BC is 4th, BU 6th, Denver tied for 22nd and Michigan tied for 32nd. The only other school that comes close to BC and BU in those numbers is Quinnipiac at 5th in offense and 2nd in defense.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

QU not getting puck deep on tying goal is one thing but it was kinda stunning

YES! Forgot to mention this myself. An ironic moment of hockey for their program turning into an iconic one for ours.

Brown used the extra timeout after one of the icings and BC wins shortly after.

I totally forgot about this. It was York-like. He always knew when to use the timeout.

 

[J.D.]

If you thought the ice in Providence was bad be very thankful BC wasn't in Springfield...maybe the worst ice I have ever seen.

 

[Cross Check]

...maybe the worst ice I have ever seen.

Nah, that would be Hobomock Arena where my nephew sometimes plays. But I digress...

 

[Seacaptim]

QU not getting puck deep on tying goal is one thing but it was kinda stunning seeing Minnetian just waltz right into the slot. But at the same time Gauthier and Jellvik put the Bobcats in a blender on that one. Just a great 1-2 from those guys and QU had no idea what was happening. You can be structured in your system but sometimes you just have no answer for a play like that.


Quinnipiac keys on outmanning the FORWARDs down deep, along the boards, chasing pucks.. If you outman the forwards, an attacking D-man like Minnetian can find an opening.. Let’s note that Jellvik entered the zone cleanly, dropped a nice pass to Gauthier who fed Aram Minnetian. I noticed that Minnetian and Powell both moved up into the offensive attack from that point forward. Also Q defense gave Fortescue abundant room to fire that shot cleanly into Duplessis, which was tipped by Ambro, and led to Malone game clincher. Bottom line-activate the D, when playing this type of team.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

I believe this is BC’s first OT winner in the NCAAs since 2008 with Joe Whitney’s goal vs Miami. That game felt hopeless at 2-0 as well if I recall (and also most of OT until York called the timeout).

Going back through York era:
Farkas - 2000 (MSU)
Kolanos - 2001 (North Dakota)
Ben Eaves - 2004 (Michigan)
Joe Whitney - 2008 (Miami)
Malone - 2024 (Quinnipiac)

Not gonna lie I also got Bergeron Game 7 Toronto vibes from that goal last night. Ambrosio doing the Seguin thing in front of the net battling and the puck squirts out to Bergeron/Malone to push it into the net.

 

[Cross Check]

Going back through York era:
Farkas - 2000 (MSU)
Kolanos - 2001 (North Dakota)
Ben Eaves - 2004 (Michigan)
Joe Whitney - 2008 (Miami)
Malone - 2024 (Quinnipiac)

Not gonna lie I also got Bergeron Game 7 Toronto vibes from that goal last night. Ambrosio doing the Seguin thing in front of the net battling and the puck squirts out to Bergeron/Malone to push it into the net.

Been there in person for all but Farkas' Been there for multiple ones that turned out different as well.

 

[paulfb]

If you told me BC would be down 2-0, 3-2 and 4-3 against QU I would say that is a definite loss. A lot of credit to BC for never letting the game get away and sticking with it. Huge for such a young team to experience a game like this before the FF. And really, if you want to extend that to killing a 5 minute major up 2-1 against Tech...a lot to be proud of even if they didn't play their best this weekend.

QU not getting puck deep on tying goal is one thing but it was kinda stunning seeing Minnetian just waltz right into the slot. But at the same time Gauthier and Jellvik put the Bobcats in a blender on that one. Just a great 1-2 from those guys and QU had no idea what was happening. You can be structured in your system but sometimes you just have no answer for a play like that.

This game definitely had some 2008 Worcester vibes. The start to OT was absolutely brutal for BC. Maybe some nerves but icings, couldn't make a play, losing faceoffs. Brown used the extra timeout after one of the icings and BC wins shortly after. A rebound/scramble in front and Malone cleans it up. All that was missing was the diving theatrical attempt from Joe Whitney that sent BC to Denver.

It has been a real pleasure watching Jack Malone. Wish we had him for four years. Just does all the little things well. Even if you go back and watch Gasseau's goal to tie the game 2-2 it's all a result of Malone kicking the puck in front of him to prevent one clear attempt and then quickly winning a stick battle after that to retain the puck. He can move up and down the lineup with ease. Can play on the PP or set up 4th liner Connor Joyce for a call the other day.

One thing I can't stand these days is you score an OT winner yet Greg Brown is motionless, looking around to make sure it's not being reviewed or challenged for any number of reasons. You'll never top that 2001 emotion after Kolanos scored but man is it good to be reminded how fun this can be. I don't care if it wasn't pretty, that goes down as one of their best NCAA tournament wins. To sleigh the dragon after chasing all game long (a program that was at least a thorn in the side of Jerry York). Doesn't get any easier but it would have been disappointing for this team not to make the FF. Double Hockey East champions and in the FF, this team has delivered on expectations. Not always the case with a young, star studded team.

That Kolanos goal was a good goal, but had it happened today, they would have reviewed it because of all the bodies toppling. And you would have feared a shoe dropping.

 

[defkit]

Congrats on the gut-check win. QU really didn't get their trap going well until the third period, but your boys found a way to battle through it. I felt the two teams that could beat BC were QU and Cornell. Now both are out. I'm just glad we don't have to face you until a possible title game match up.

 

[DNAEagle]

In the post season Leonard has taken a huge step up not only in his play but his leadership of the team as well. He was a force in both games, the wrap around goal was just inspired, he said afterwards that is the first time he tried it. In the post season the team seems to be on a mission. UConn was one of the more difficult games (besides QPAC). BTW Marshall Wood entered the portal which I am sure is a big blow to Cav and the program. I understand the need for freedom of movement for the players but the wavier wire is not good for college sports and fan support. In the revenue sports the kids are about as a connected to the school as the man on the street. It must be pretty disheartening to be a coach these days.

 

[J.D.]

Forgot how much of a dink Pecknold is. Leonard gets hit from the blind side, a hit that sends anybody to the ice. And Rand is doing his best Jack Parker impersonation with his stupid diving motion to the refs.