Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

[J.D.]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

If UMass plays us like in our last meeting, this could be one of those rare years.
Hopefully it's not one of those very, very rare years in which BC doesn't advance.
This series has me a bit uncomfortable. Anybody but one of the Mass teams I would have preferred.

Really? I was just hoping not to see UML, UVM or even BU. Ideally, would have been Merrimack or Northeastern, but UMass is the next best thing in my opinion. UMass played about as good as they could in the last meeting and it still wasn't enough. Looking back, I think that's perfect for BC preparing for this matchup. They can address what they didn't do in the last meeting.

 

[Bryan MacAvoy]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

My post in another thread, as this one had dropped too far:

So BC swept the season series 3-0 and outscored UMass 12-3, but the recent matchup saw UMass stifle a strong offense firing on all cylinders and force an OT, before Kreider finished the game with time dwindling.
BC and UMass both closed the regular season strong, winning their matchups against UNH and Maine, respectively (two strong opponents).
What can we expect? The 7-1 mismatch we saw at Amherst? The close matchup we saw recently? Something else?
Also, Coach York favors "riding the hot hand" when it comes to goalies, and that looked like it was leaning toward Milner of late, but Muse got the W in the last game at home over UNH. Are we still determining who IS the hot hand, or did Muse just take the net back?
[disclosure: I'm a BC fan, so these questions are BC-heavy, but I'm almost more eager to hear from the UMass contingent here]

 

[J.D.]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

What can we expect? The 7-1 mismatch we saw at Amherst? The close matchup we saw recently? Something else?
Also, Coach York favors "riding the hot hand" when it comes to goalies, and that looked like it was leaning toward Milner of late, but Muse got the W in the last game at home over UNH. Are we still determining who IS the hot hand, or did Muse just take the net back?

Ultimately, I think it's somewhere in between. I expect BC to be sharper than the last meeting whereas I'm not sure how much better UMass can play.

I expect to see Muse in game one.

 

[jjmc85]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

Looking at the prediction thread, it appears everyone expects BC to walk all over UMass. I think only one poster had UMass forcing a game 3, and many are predicting blowouts.

I wouldn't be surprised if everyone was right. However, I do have a bit of hope this will be a series, not only because of how UMass has played the past three games, but because of the talent I know they have on the team. Plus last year, I remember them really stepping up their game in the quarterfinals, shocking everyone after limping in having lost 3 of their last 4 (including two absolute shellackings at the hand of BU).

If this years team can put the same type of effort last years team did in the QF, we'll have a pretty good series. This year's team is better than last year's, IMO.

 

[UML]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

Now that UMass has to face a real goalie I'm thinking BC sweep. Not even close

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

but because of the talent I know they have on the team.

Talent? Where?

Just messing with ya... sort of.

I think BC is on a roll right now and people are well aware of that. And it just seems that almost everyone is in agreement that BC is the only team that can make a big run in the NCAAs from the league. Couple that with BC's 3-0-0 mark already vs. UMass (one an epic beatdown), home ice record, and BC's historical record in the QFs under York, and I think most people look at this as a BC sweep (even if they are close games). Some people that follow things closely might consider throwing out last weekend's results with the goaltending issues at Maine as well.

Of course, who knows what will happen. But it would be shocking, given all the factors being thrown into the pot for UMass to get two wins. But that's why we play the games.

 

[Cross Check]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

I am expecting BC to sweep, but UMass really brought their A game a couple of weeks ago. If UMass plays at that level, it could be a little interesting. But only a little. BC is just too talented and playing too well.

 

[umassfan49]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

Now that UMass has to face a real goalie I'm thinking BC sweep. Not even close

Yeah like when Lowell brought out Hutton this year against UMass, their "real goalie." That was a sweep for UMass if i remember correctly.

 

[jjmc85]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

Now that UMass has to face a real goalie I'm thinking BC sweep. Not even close

My question is, which real goalie will UMass have to face? I guess that's pretty much everyone's question though.

 

[TonyTheTiger20]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

My question is, which real goalie will UMass have to face? I guess that's pretty much everyone's question though.

Muse.
Just kidding, it's Milner. But you're a UMass fan so who knows what contacts you have on the team! I don't want to leak any secrets

 

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

Very slick Tony. I was about to correct you.

 

[umassfan49]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

Something is seriously wrong if you don't play your #1 goalie that has already led you to a recent national championship the rest of the way. I say Muse or die for BC fans.

 

[jjmc85]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

Muse.
Just kidding, it's Milner. But you're a UMass fan so who knows what contacts you have on the team! I don't want to leak any secrets

Believe it or not, I actually have more contacts with the Eagles than I do with the Minutemen.

 

[TonyTheTiger20]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

Something is seriously wrong if you don't play your #1 goalie that has already led you to a recent national championship the rest of the way. I say Muse or die for BC fans.

Close your eyes and picture this: Muse's left arm was cut off in a horrible smelting accident. Do you still want him in net?

Open your eyes. His arm is still there but the result is generally the same. Do you still want him in net?

It's hyperbole, obviously, but still, if Jerry thinks Milner is better, so do I.

 

[Moose98]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

Close your eyes and picture this: Muse's left arm was cut off in a horrible smelting accident. Do you still want him in net?

Open your eyes. His arm is still there but the result is generally the same. Do you still want him in net?

Tony, that's a pretty offensive opinion.

 

[TonyTheTiger20]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

Tony, that's a pretty offensive opinion.

 

[Carmine Scarpaglia]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

Something is seriously wrong if you don't play your #1 goalie that has already led you to a recent national championship the rest of the way. I say Muse or die for BC fans.

What if you had someone better than Muse? That might be the case here. Then again, it might not. But the people making the decisions just might think so.

You have to admit, the goaltending saga since Schneider's junior year has been crazy as heck... potentially in order starting with offseason of 2007.

- Schneider leaves a year early.
- Accelerate Muse to come in a year early with Schneider scholarship available. Margolin also enters school with Muse
- Muse wins national title and plays every minute of the season.
- Margolin leaves school after never seeing the light of day (and he still basically hasn't seen the light of day for Conn College or wherever he went).
- Maxwell decommits
- Grab Venti as insurance
- Recruit Billet to replace Maxwell (but a year behind when Maxwell was supposed to come in)
- Muse has hip injury and gets surgery
- Grab Milner as insurance
- Recruit Barone (also as insurance?)
- Milner takes starting job from Muse?..... which is strange because this was probably the potential situation York expected if you change Milner to Maxwell anyway.

Who knows who is going to be where next year. I mean, this is crazy stuff you don't see too often in college puck with the goalie position. That's 8 different names you just saw in that timeline (Schneider, Muse, Margolin, Maxwell, Venti, Billet, Milner, Barone) and I left out Kremer since he was not really relevant to the situation.

 

[brightonjohn]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

What's the story with Edwin Shea?
He didn't play against UNH in season finale and York was quoted as saying only 1 sophomore defenseman will play against UMASS this weekend.
Am I not informed about an injury?

 

[umassfan49]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

Close your eyes and picture this: Muse's left arm was cut off in a horrible smelting accident. Do you still want him in net?

Open your eyes. His arm is still there but the result is generally the same. Do you still want him in net?

It's hyperbole, obviously, but still, if Jerry thinks Milner is better, so do I.

If that was the case, being a UMass fan I would want Muse in net. And sorry BC fans, play Muse because in reality, hes the better goalie.

 

[TonyTheTiger20]

Re: Hockey East Quarterfinals - #7 UMass @ #2 Boston College

And sorry BC fans, play Muse because in reality, hes the better goalie.

Oh? And you know this how?