What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

Hockey East: Anyones Tournament

Re: Hockey East: Anyones Tournament

Chickens@NU said:
I didn't read that line at 6:30 am when I first read the article, never mind at 7:25 when you made that post.
Click to expand...

You should try reading more carefully. I mean I couldn't make that up if I wanted to.

Hey why did the chicken cross the road ?? No seriously *** did you do it??
 
Re: Hockey East: Anyones Tournament

jcarter7669 said:
You should try reading more carefully. I mean I couldn't make that up if I wanted to.

Hey why did the chicken cross the road ?? No seriously *** did you do it??
Click to expand...

Where? Please point it out. Please.

The playoffs started early in this league, and teams looking to catch their breath after the stretch run will find themselves gasping for air in the Hockey East quarterfinals.

New Hampshire staved off Boston College in their mini-playoff last weekend with the regular-season crown on the line, and that involved the least of the dramatics. There were a half-dozen teams that were on the cusp of either claiming a home-ice spot or missing the playoffs entirely, and the standings were so jumbled heading into the season’s final day that there were 33 tiebreaking scenarios listed on a Hockey East press release.

Once again, the tournament looks wide open. UNH and BC have been the most consistent teams throughout the season, but preseason favorites Boston University and UMass Lowell have the talent to make another March run. And don’t count out Vermont, a Frozen Four participant from last year and - sit down for this one - Merrimack Warriors. Finally, don’t sleep on Maine at Alfond, where the Black Bears can recreate some momentum and take it to the Garden.

With the balance in Hockey East, the next three weekends figure to be a blast.

THE FAVORITE

The Wildcats might take this as a slap in the face, but Boston College has to be the favorite in the Hockey East playoffs. The Eagles are 8-2-1 against Hockey East teams since Jan. 29, and they’ve been peppering opposing nets at a relentless rate. BC has outscored teams, 43-21, in that span, and all four lines are playing with a heightened sense of confidence.

And don’t forget, Boston College gained some valuable experience at the Garden last month when it won the Beanpot, and the Eagles have traditionally handled the Wildcats late in the season. BC has knocked UNH out of the Hockey East playoffs in four of the last five years, including twice in the title game.

THE GATE CRASHER

This spot was supposed to go to Northeastern, which was playing great down the stretch but couldn’t get into the playoffs after a hellish final two weekends with UNH and BU. It also could have gone to Vermont, but the Catamounts only took one point in Durham a few weeks ago. And it could have gone to Merrimack, but it’s tough to imagine the Terriers laying down in their first-round playoff series. If you’re looking for one lower seed to pull an upset, set your sights to UMass Lowell, which has the postseason experience that Maine lacks.

INCH’s ALL-HOCKEY EAST TEAM

F - Bobby Butler, UNH
Dick Umile did it again. Butler had nine goals and three assists as a freshman (12th on the team in scoring), but he emerged as a Hobey Baker candidate as a senior.

F - Gustav Nyquist, Maine
The sophomore had an outstanding season, far and away leading Hockey East in points (18-38-56), and Maine fans will love him for leading the program’s turnaround in 2009-10.

F - Brian Gibbons, Boston College
Gibbons has centered the best line in Hockey East with Joe Whitney and Cam Atkinson, and the trio’s emergence in the second half was a major reason for the Eagles’ charge. Gibbons led BC with 27 assists and 42 points.

D - Kevin Shattenkirk, Boston University
The junior blue-liner gets the nod on this list for the second consecutive year.

D - Jeremy Dehner, UMass Lowell
The River Hawks have a handful of really talented defensemen, but Dehner’s leadership, on-ice composure and puck-moving skills get him on the INCH First Team.

G - Carter Hutton, UMass Lowell
Hutton was too good for coach Blaise MacDonald to warrant a split, and Hutton has been the man down the stretch. Among goalies who played at least 900 minutes, he led Hockey East in goals-against average (2.06) and save percentage (.928).

COACH OF THE YEAR

It’s pretty amazing, but heading into the final weekend of the regular season, Merrimack was still in the running for a home-ice playoff spot. Mark Dennehy has changed the culture in North Andover, and he has brought in a roster full of players who have been winners at previous levels. Even though they hadn’t yet won together at Merrimack, junior forward Chris Barton pointed to a few Warriors who had won junior championships in Canada (himself, sophomore forward Jesse Todd, sophomore defenseman Karl Stollery and freshman defenseman Kyle Bigos).

Merrimack had five consecutive last-place finishes since its most recent playoff berth in 2004. During that stretch, the Warriors were 38-115-19 and 18-100-14 in Hockey East. Yet, Dennehy led MC to 15-17-2 (12-13-2 Hockey East) and a sixth seed this season. Don’t think this is enough for them, either. Barton told INCH in November, “[the Warriors] want to win a championship.”

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Few saw a season like this coming, especially Bobby Butler. He had been as steady as they’ve come for his first three seasons in Durham, but Butler really added a scoring punch in his senior year. He has a league-best 25 goals to go along with 22 assists, and the Wildcats’ success has helped push Butler into the Hobey race.

“No, not at all. I definitely didn’t expect it,” Butler said of the individual recognition. “It’s just a bonus, but I’m glad the team is doing well. We’ve been in first place for a bit. I’m just having a fun time. I prepared for this year wanting to play my best as a senior, a leader, to show by example. I’m just having a good time, having fun with my linemates. I think it’s just more having fun and coming to the rink knowing that every time we’re on the ice, we have a chance for any of us to put the puck in the net.”

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Merrimack forward Stephane Da Costa sent a public-service announcement to the league with a five-goal performance against Army in the second game of his career. Da Costa is a smart player who knows what he’s doing on the ice and has tremendous vision. His teammates instantly respected his work ethic, and they appreciated his ability to make them better players, as well. Da Costa has had a fabulous freshman season with 15 goals and 29 assists to easily lead the Warriors with 44 points.

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMER

Boston College sophomore forward Cam Atkinson was an important piece for this young team. The Eagles have nine sophomores and 10 freshmen on their 26-man roster, and the younger guys were forced to make strides this season if they were going to experience this kind of success. Atkinson is second in Hockey East with 21 goals, and he was second on the Eagles with 41 points. The short, speedy, feisty winger has a little bit of Nathan Gerbe in him. For Atkinson to seriously draw those comparisons, though, he’ll have to perform in the postseason like Gerbe.
Click to expand...
 
Re: Hockey East: Anyones Tournament

jcarter7669 said:
You should try reading more carefully. I mean I couldn't make that up if I wanted to.

Hey why did the chicken cross the road ?? No seriously *** did you do it??
Click to expand...

It's Chickens not chicken. So put that into your pipe and smoke it, you crazy half breed.

jcarter7669 said:
Why are you lacking the obvious choice??
Click to expand...

Having my mother also be my sister is only the obvious choice for rednecks from Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and the deep south. Sorry.
 
Re: Hockey East: Anyones Tournament

True Blue Fan said:
Hey, wait just one second, leave us Mainahs out of this. :D
Click to expand...

I used to live in Maine next to NH ( I wasn't born there, so my parents aren't related to each other), so I know how all you crazy red necks are. Either you're all safe to make fun of or none of you are. I vote it's ok to make fun of you all. Plus, It's my tournament so I can do what I want. :D
 
Last edited:
Re: Hockey East: Anyones Tournament

Chickens@NU said:
Are you on crack like all of the Lowell fans or just the defective offspring of your sister/mother and grandfather/uncle/father? I didn't read that line at 6:30 am when I first read the article, never mind at 7:25 when you made that post. And no, my name is not Jeff you crazy stupid redneck.
Click to expand...
Post of the year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top