BU '23-'24 Season: Pandomania

[brassbonanza]

As far as UMass, I was hoping they would be too far down after last weekend to have a chance at the NCAA, but they actually gained position to a 3 seed. I think we really need them in a solid 3 so both BU and BC get the eastern regionals. Being in the 13 or 14 puts them at a 4 in Springfield and BU to St. Louis. So, win on Minutemen.

I disagree here, UMass losing to Lowell would be a significant hit to their PWR. While unlikely they lose, it'd be better for us if they lost. Especially since they end with two at Alfond and then potentially a tough 4/5 QF, or a road game at Maine as the 6 seed. I'd rather them lose and drop out completely.

 

[Tmtroiano]

Since HE has an odd number of teams, everyone ends up with a bye week or two during the year.

Given we have two players who got hurt last weekend and have played 11 games in the last 30 days, I think this is actually a great time for the team to rest. Especially since they still have two regular season games to get back on schedule before starting the postseason.

Jay noted this after Saturday, but because of the Beanpot and the two Tuesday NU games in January, this past week was only the third full week of "normal" Sunday-Thursday rest and practice they've had since the start of 2024.

Makes sense. Thanks!

 

[Tmtroiano]

Eichel was far more ready from a size and strength standpoint and Eichel had 70 points at BU.

 

[Scarlet]

I disagree here, UMass losing to Lowell would be a significant hit to their PWR. While unlikely they lose, it'd be better for us if they lost. Especially since they end with two at Alfond and then potentially a tough 4/5 QF, or a road game at Maine as the 6 seed. I'd rather them lose and drop out completely.

This is the answer I was hoping for. I thought their loss to UNH last week would’ve hurt them more but I feel like they went up in the PWR. I’m not as worried or interested in the regular season title, I think it’s juuuuust out of reach at this point. But BU has clinched no lower than second, right?

 

[Jofa]

Eichel was far more ready from a size and strength standpoint and Eichel had 70 points at BU.

That was pretty much where I was coming from agreed

 

[meauxmo]

Last weekend BU looked the best they have all season and hope this week off does not have a negative effect. They will need it down in Providence.

 

[Scarlet]

When is BU’s spring break? Is the HEQF game on March 16 at the end of it? Trying to decide if I buy my second ticket (I have two tix and like no one sit next to me). There have been some decent crowds this year but usually games during spring break aren’t that well attended. But I think the end of spring break will be the 9th.

 

[DLG]

When is BU’s spring break? Is the HEQF game on March 16 at the end of it? Trying to decide if I buy my second ticket (I have two tix and like no one sit next to me). There have been some decent crowds this year but usually games during spring break aren’t that well attended. But I think the end of spring break will be the 9th.

BU break is March 11-18

 

[Bomber]

When is BU’s spring break?

My son goes to a non-hockey school and his spring break is 3/21 thru 4/2. He's more excited that he'll be home for the HE Semis/Finals than he is to see us. : )

You can take the boy out of BU Hockey, but you can't take BU Hockey out of the boy.

 

[Scarlet]

Oh, that’s good! That’s kinda late this year, no?

Going back to Macklin and whether he stays or goes, etc. I was thinking about both Eichel and Ricky DiPietro. Did the minimum draft age drop from 19 to 18? I remember after Ricky’s freshman year (stay with me, this will be a bit convoluted), he wasn’t eligible for the draft after his freshman year because he was born September 19 and the cut off was September 15. If I recall, he wanted to be in that draft because the next year there was another goalie that would’ve been drafted higher. But he was 18 when he was in school. So he had to withdraw. As for Eichel, he wasn’t eligible to be drafted till 2015 so he could come to BU for a year, turning 18 the October of his freshman year.

i know Macklin accelerated because he’s 17, will turn 18 in June a couple of weeks before the draft. So, if he didn’t accelerate, he’d be drafted this June and never come to BU.

I’m sure I have something incorrect here. How does anyone else remember this?

 

[Tmtroiano]

I just think at the end of the day whoever drafts Celebrini is going to tell him where he's playing in the Fall. Particularly if he's #1.

 

[brassbonanza]

i know Macklin accelerated because he’s 17, will turn 18 in June a couple of weeks before the draft. So, if he didn’t accelerate, he’d be drafted this June and never come to BU.

I’m sure I have something incorrect here. How does anyone else remember this?

You're right, because of where his birthday falls, he could accelerate to play this year and still be eligible for this year's draft.

Jack's birthday was in late October and his parents started him in school early when he was a kid, so he arrived at age 17 but turned 18 shortly after. But he wasn't eligible for the draft until after his usual freshman season.

 

[smyler3]

When was the last time a #1 overall pick stayed in school/junior?

Edit: Googles says Erik Johnson in '06.

 

[BU93]

I disagree here, UMass losing to Lowell would be a significant hit to their PWR. While unlikely they lose, it'd be better for us if they lost. Especially since they end with two at Alfond and then potentially a tough 4/5 QF, or a road game at Maine as the 6 seed. I'd rather them lose and drop out completely.

Looks like if they lose 3 of 4 or all games over the next 2 weeks that might work. It could move them to 15 or 16 and potentially out. If they win 3 of 4 (both against Lowell and 1 at Maine) they will be in the 10 PWR range. Splitting both keeps them on the 13 area and on the 4 seed bubble. I just think it’s more likely they win 3 of 4 than lose 3 of 4. Lowell stinks this year and Maine hasn’t exactly lit it up this month.

 

[BUPhD]

This BC/UNH game is pretty exciting. UNH hair tied it again and is unlucky to not be up two

 

[BU93]

This BC/UNH game is pretty exciting. UNH hair tied it again and is unlucky to not be up two

UNH played a very good game…and still lost. Had a great shot at winning. Can’t believe they missed an empty net in the 3rd to take the lead. Oh well. One thing I noticed - UNH scored 2 goals going against the grain on Fowler blocker side. Something to keep in mind going forward.

 

[Jofa]

UNH played a very good game…and still lost. Had a great shot at winning. Can’t believe they missed an empty net in the 3rd to take the lead. Oh well. One thing I noticed - UNH scored 2 goals going against the grain on Fowler blocker side. Something to keep in mind going forward.

Gauthier is a slam dunk for Hobey coming back for another year paid off for him and BC big time. BC is a heavy favorite for the NC imo, in a one and done anything can happen but no one has their offensive firepower complimented with a strong goalie. They toyed with UNH even missing Perreault and then when it counted finished them off.

 

[Harry Cleverly]

Gauthier is a slam dunk for Hobey coming back for another year paid off for him and BC big time. BC is a heavy favorite for the NC imo, in a one and done anything can happen but no one has their offensive firepower complimented with a strong goalie. They toyed with UNH even missing Perreault and then when it counted finished them off.

How did they "toy with UNH" while getting outshot 31-23?

 

[BU93]

I wouldn’t use the word “toyed”, but they needed very few good scoring chances to win. UNH had the territorial advantage most of the game, similar to our game at BU this year. BC can get away with not playing a great total game and still win (so can BU for that matter). On one of the Gauthier goals (a wrap around), I have no idea what the UNH goalie was doing - he never moved from the opposite post and it became an empty net. That said, Gauthier probably has the best shot in the NCAA right now. UNH probably should have won that game last night based on the total game. It was close in the 3rd. Missed an empty net from 5 feet to take the lead, late BC power play, game over. It was as simple as that.

Yes, their offense is probably the best in the NCAA and their goalie is excellent. A great combo for sure. On paper definitely a favorite, but there are other very good teams out there as well and the single elimination can bite you even if you are a favorite. It should be a fun adventure to see how both BU and BC fair in the tournament.

Does everyone realize Caron has the second best GAA in HE conference games to Henry Welsch (2.19 to 2.12) and the top SV% at .924 to Fowler at .922. Caron has a shot at being HE first team and goaltender of the year. He would be the first since John Curry in 06-07. Welsch also has only played 14 conference games, and as we know Caron has played them all.

 

[Jofa]

How did they "toy with UNH" while getting outshot 31-23?

Umm “toyed” meaning played around with didn’t take seriously.