Boston College 2024-25 TV * JG * MG

[BCeagle]

Glad Whale is ok from what I read

All the games are important for the pairwise and Maine has a game in hand
So BC still needs to take care of business with 1st place NOT clinched still.
With BC banged up the team needs to suck it up and other players need to step it up with tonight and next Saturday
There are no easy games with these 2 remaining games left in the regular season.

 

[boblav1]

Andre Gasseau has been suspended for one game.

 

[DNAEagle]

Leonard gets slew footed in Vermont, not called on the ice but reviewed and gets 5 minutes no DQ. Gasseau gets crossed checked behind the net, retaliates and get 5 minutes no DQ, then the league suspends him for tonight. Gasseau was wrong, stupid penalty and punishment on the ice was deserved, but then suspended by the league ? Maybe they saw this one was with intent (which it was) and the other a defensive hockey play went awry. Still is pretty severe penalty.

 

[BC/HE]

Leonard gets slew footed in Vermont, not called on the ice but reviewed and gets 5 minutes no DQ. Gasseau gets crossed checked behind the net, retaliates and get 5 minutes no DQ, then the league suspends him for tonight. Gasseau was wrong, stupid penalty and punishment on the ice was deserved, but then suspended by the league ? Maybe they saw this one was with intent (which it was) and the other a defensive hockey play went awry. Still is pretty severe penalty.

It also may have to do with him having 3 misconducts this year. Officially it must be 3 game misconducts but the other 2 were 10 minute misconducts in the last 5 minutes of games essentially being game misconducts. Either way it is probably better if he didn't play as UNH would be out to get him and an injury or another misconduct that could result might be more harmful to the team in the long run.

 

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

Going to be hard to get 3 lines together up front with the injuries and suspensions.

Glad Whale is ok. Reminded me of the time Joe Exter dove headfirst at Patrick Eaves' knee to stop him from getting a breakaway and almost died on the ice.

Gasseau being out is also a major hit to one of the team's issues this season - faceoffs. He's been piling up points in the past month partially because of his ability to win faceoffs and it has been helping fuel a small resurgence on the PP. On the bright side, at least Gasseau is safe from injury tonight. I was disturbed that Brown was putting our top players on the ice at the end of the game after the ENG by Leonard. The PK has seemingly righted itself again; another huge 5 minute kill.

Connor Joyce continues to impress. Beauty of a goal and hugely important to push the lead to 2. I had some concern that with the early stoppage and intermission due to the Whale injury, that a bad bounce due to ice conditions in the final 5 mins of the game might doom BC after already having had 20 minutes of play on the ice surface and that really helped mitigate that possible issue. LOVED the subtle play and pass in the neutral zone by Vote to get the puck to Gasseau with speed on his 2nd goal.

Given the lineup issues, I would say I have no expectations for tonight. It is what it is. BC does have clinching scenarios tonight for the 1 seed in the league but it does involve Maine leaving points on the table, which is unlikely.

 

[BC/HE]

They should get 3 from those that have seen ice time including Shamberger and Traeger even if Perreault is out. Only other forwards are Davey and Delay but they looked fine in an exhibition together with Traeger for a 4th line. They probably practice together that way. Perhaps moving up Hagens or Joyce from the extra D position could fill out a line too.

Going to be hard to get 3 lines together up front with the injuries and suspensions.

 

[BCeagle]

Just got in the house and honestly I was not expecting a win and was just hoping for at least a tie for a point.
For most of the game I was crossing my fingers. The UNH goal was an accidental tip off the D man in front of him. Fowler was ready for the shot but at the last split second it deflects off the D man and deflects helplessly into right corner by FOWLER.

But BC somehow allowed just that one goal and the defense held on the rest of the game until the SHOOTOUT.

POWELL was totally useless as a shooter on the shootout as he didn't even get a good shot off as he over skated past the net but the other shooters bailed him out as BC was about to lose the SHOOTOUT but manage to tie it and finally end it.

Next Saturday hopefully we get players back and a healthy lineup against Merrimack.

 

[BC/HE]

Just got in the house and honestly I was not expecting a win and was just hoping for at least a tie for a point.
For most of the game I was crossing my fingers. The UNH goal was an accidental tip off the D man in front of him. Fowler was ready for the shot but at the last split second it deflects off the D man and deflects helplessly into right corner by FOWLER.

But BC somehow allowed just that one goal and the defense held on the rest of the game until the SHOOTOUT.

POWELL was totally useless as a shooter on the shootout as he didn't even get a good shot off as he over skated past the net but the other shooters bailed him out as BC was about to lose the SHOOTOUT but manage to tie it and finally end it.

Next Saturday hopefully we get players back and a healthy lineup against Merrimack.

Powell has done very well on earlier shootouts for BC so one mishap should not keep him from being used again. Maine needs to win twice next week to pass BC even if BC loses. They need 5 points to overtake BC and that means at least one regulation win to go with a shootout or OT win. They play twice at UMass so that is not going to be easy for them. If it is over before game time Saturday BC should go lightly with the top lines to keep them healthy for the playoffs.

 

[BCeagle]

That being said BC can take of business without worrying about Maine by just winning. Maine can very well win both their games and it would be a shame to lose first place after a long grueling season. Let’s not depend on a league rival to lose when they can decide their own fate

 

[DNAEagle]

Fowler was the story last night, he was just terrific, steady calm presence, we are not the offensive team we were last year but we are better defensively, Fortescue and Minnitan, Powell, Herschuk and Gustafson are as good a core group as any in college hockey, Gustafson made it look easy in the shoot out. The top line logged 26 plus minutes and they looked legless towards the end. I thought Lennie would end it in OT on the breakaway but the UNH goalie came up big. Will be quite a feat for Maine to take 6 poiints in Amherst next week but even so I don't think it will be enough to overtake BC.

 

[BC/HE]

Michigan State got a bye in the B1G Tournament and has at most 2 games left. Their only shot at catching BC for the #1 overall seed is to win those both and have BC lose to Merrimack and then lose again in the quarterfinal HE round. Minnesota and Maine with both a less than 1% chance of catching BC and only again winning out and BC losing out. That said a win over Merrimack seals the #1 overall seed in the NCAA's.

 

[Seacaptim]

Leonard & Perreault were both gassed by overtime, which allowed UNH to create some dangerous scoring opportunities.. Brown skated 3 lines in third, & went heavy with line 1 for obvious reason.
Winning HE regular season championship, will ensure not having to face Maine/BU until the playoff championship-which will be huge. The #4-7 seeds (pick one) will be plenty tough enough for BC in the quarterfinals, before we can move to the Garden. Recall last season QF, where UConn held a 1 goal lead in 3rd period before Malone goal tied game, and BC survived.

 

[BCeagle]

with what’s on the line BC should not be sluggish at all and play a complete game against Merrimack on Saturday
I am sure BC remembers losing to them after the winter break and aware they cannot take any game lightly. Last game of regular a 1 PM start

 

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

Well I think given the circumstances of all the guys out and then having to run some others into ground with excessive ice time, you take the 2 points on Saturday and run. Especially with the fact that UNH's only goal was a deflection off of a BC stick. I still the shootouts are incredibly stupid but it is what it is. You have to imagine it chaps UNH's azz to see a new generation of Gustafsson send them home sad and you just know a "shootout win" over #1 BC would have probably been worthy of raising a banner to the rafters of the Whitt. I believe that's #8's second career gamewinning shootout.

Fowler was terrific. I think you have to be happy BC didn't come out of the game Saturday with any further injuries. Powell recorded his 100th career point with the assist on the Perreault goal. Perreault has been putting in some great games lately.

BC's magic number is 2 points. BC now has a nice advantage of not having to play on Friday while Maine does. If Umass is able to beat Maine in any way, keeping Maine to 1 point or less, BC would secure the 1 seed in Hockey East and at least a share of the RS title before taking the ice Saturday afternoon. If that happens you will probably see Jan Korec and I'd personally suggest NOT putting top players in danger with excessive ice time and certainly wouldn't dress Stiga or Berard. The #1 seed is almost all but assured for the NCAA tournament.

The officiating in this league is horrendous.

For BC I think the focus needs to be
#1 Stay healthy
#2. Stop being stupid with the penalties

 

[DNAEagle]

Well I think given the circumstances of all the guys out and then having to run some others into ground with excessive ice time, you take the 2 points on Saturday and run. Especially with the fact that UNH's only goal was a deflection off of a BC stick. I still the shootouts are incredibly stupid but it is what it is. You have to imagine it chaps UNH's azz to see a new generation of Gustafsson send them home sad and you just know a "shootout win" over #1 BC would have probably been worthy of raising a banner to the rafters of the Whitt. I believe that's #8's second career gamewinning shootout.

Fowler was terrific. I think you have to be happy BC didn't come out of the game Saturday with any further injuries. Powell recorded his 100th career point with the assist on the Perreault goal. Perreault has been putting in some great games lately.

BC's magic number is 2 points. BC now has a nice advantage of not having to play on Friday while Maine does. If Umass is able to beat Maine in any way, keeping Maine to 1 point or less, BC would secure the 1 seed in Hockey East and at least a share of the RS title before taking the ice Saturday afternoon. If that happens you will probably see Jan Korec and I'd personally suggest NOT putting top players in danger with excessive ice time and certainly wouldn't dress Stiga or Berard. The #1 seed is almost all but assured for the NCAA tournament.

The officiating in this league is horrendous.

For BC I think the focus needs to be
#1 Stay healthy
#2. Stop being stupid with the penalties

 

[DNAEagle]

It is the same lousy officiating for everybody. I thought they were really bad on Friday, Saturday was pretty clean although they missed a few interference calls on UNH and on stick to the groin by a BC defenseman on a UNH player right in front of Fowler. Since it was not a penalty on the ice the video review determined it was not 5 minutes. Play on.

 

[Seacaptim]

It is the same lousy officiating for everybody. I thought they were really bad on Friday, Saturday was pretty clean although they missed a few interference calls on UNH and on stick to the groin by a BC defenseman on a UNH player right in front of Fowler. Since it was not a penalty on the ice the video review determined it was not 5 minutes. Play on.

A coaching challenge only allows referee to determine if there was a major penalty on a given play. So, refs may have “seen” on review there was a minor, but can not proceed to penalize on that basis. It is not based on whether a penalty was “called” on the play, only if ref determines it was a major penalty. BC must be instructed by coach, to cease & desist with these away from the play infractions..Gasseau upending the UNH player on way to bench, what is he thinking? Team is already down two top players, and he is getting even with a guy who sticked him in the corner? Same goes for Leonard, who I admire greatly as a player. Forget about trying to draw a penalty-refs are not going to give him any calls…the opposite is happening..why Brown has not addressed this-is a mystery to me.

 

[DNAEagle]

Right that is what I meant. Since they didn't call a minor on the ice they could only call a 5 minute major on review which obviously they decided it was not worthy of a major. I think BC dodged a bullet there.

 

[DNAEagle]

Right that is what I meant. Since they didn't call a minor on the ice they could only call a 5 minute major on review which obviously they decided it was not worthy of a major. I think BC dodged a bullet there.

 

[BC/HE]

A coaching challenge only allows referee to determine if there was a major penalty on a given play. So, refs may have “seen” on review there was a minor, but can not proceed to penalize on that basis. It is not based on whether a penalty was “called” on the play, only if ref determines it was a major penalty. BC must be instructed by coach, to cease & desist with these away from the play infractions..Gasseau upending the UNH player on way to bench, what is he thinking? Team is already down two top players, and he is getting even with a guy who sticked him in the corner? Same goes for Leonard, who I admire greatly as a player. Forget about trying to draw a penalty-refs are not going to give him any calls…the opposite is happening..why Brown has not addressed this-is a mystery to me.

It was not just the play in the corner that infuriated Gasseau, it was also a slash thrown on him discreetly on his way to the bench that immediately preceded the penalty. Sure he deserved what he got but it was not just from the play in the corner. I was surprised the UNH player did not go off for 2 minutes as well but they must not have seen that part and of course upon review they cannot call that.