Eagles get past Air Force to move within one game of Frozen Four

It wasn't all that easy but in the end, the Boston College Eagles got within one game of making their fifth frozen four appearance in the last six years with a 2-0 win over the Air Force Falcons. The Eagles were led by star forward Chris Kreider who had both goals, one in the first and one late in the third. The Eagles came out of the gate pretty fast as the Falcons seemed to be a little surprised with all of the speed BC has and just eight minutes into the game, Kevin Hayes made a great pass to Kreider who knocked it in to make it 1-0 Eagles. After that goal, Air Force did a great job of limiting BC's grade A offensive chances and odd man rushes. Towards the end of the first, Air Force made a furious run at Parker Milner but like he always does, Parker stood on his head and kept Air Force off the board. I thought the second period was BC's best period of the game as the Eagles seemed to have the puck in the Falcon end 90% of the time but just weren't able to convert thanks to great defense and goaltending from Air Force. While Air Force played great defense, they really couldn't get anything going against the BC defense. I thought Brian Dumoulin and Tommy Cross both did a great job of starting the breakout once the Falcons got any kind of pressure on Parker Milner. Yes, it's only two goals and we only won by that same margin but I don't think it's fair to say "Well, BC should have won 10-0" and "This is not a good sign". In this tournament, there is only one thing that matters and that is you win or go home. BC didn't play great but they won and that's all that matters. I think the main reason BC didn't get too many offensive chances is because Air Force did a great job of collapsing down in their own end and stopping BC's cycling game, something that is crucial in stopping the Eagles. Anyways, I thought the Kreider-Hayes-Straight line was the best on the ice for the Eagles. Kevin Hayes earned my player of the game as he definitely played one of his best games in quite a while (He had a great assist on the first goal). Another guy that played great tonight was Chris Kreider. I often say to people, when #19 is playing at his best, it is EXTREMELY hard to beat this Eagles team because it just adds to the number of weapons BC has. Some nights, Chris tends to be a little "off" but tonight was certainly not one of those nights. Tomorrow, BC will have to beat a tough Minnesota Duluth team (Who beat Maine tonight) to get back to the Frozen Four. It should be a great game between two great teams.

Why BC Won

1. Parker Milner. I thought Parker Milner played outstanding in his first start in an NCAA tournament game. He came up big all night long for the Eagles.

2. The Special Teams. One of the keys going into this game was how BC's power play and penalty kill would fare. While the PP was not great, the goal they recorded late in the third put away any chance Air Force had to come back. The PK was phenomenal as always.

3. The second line was great. Like I said earlier, I loved the way Straight, Kreider, and Hayes played tonight. I thought Kevin Hayes may have had his best game of the season.

Problems

1. No problems but the team will need to play better tomorrow in order to beat a tough Minnesota Duluth team tomorrow.

Notes 

1. BC is now 9-1 all time in the DCU Center.

2. BC now has at least one power play goal in four straight games.

3. With a win tomorrow, BC would earn a spot in the Frozen Four (Tampa Bay, FL)

4. Shots were 34-20 in BC's favor.

Player of the game- Kevin Hayes

Next Up- UMD at 8:00 tomorrow. Win or go home !

ChatGPT

Title: Eagles Soar Past Air Force, on the Brink of Frozen Four

Introduction

The journey to the NCAA Frozen Four is an arduous one, filled with fierce competition and high-stakes showdowns. For the Boston College Eagles, the path to college hockey's grandest stage has been marked by determination, skill, and a deep-rooted desire for success. In this article, we will delve into the thrilling matchup against Air Force, dissecting the key moments, standout performances, and the Eagles' quest to return to the Frozen Four.

Section 1: The Road to the Frozen Four

The Frozen Four Quest: A brief overview of the significance and prestige of the NCAA Frozen Four in college hockey.

Boston College's Storied History: A look at the Eagles' rich tradition of success and their legacy in the Frozen Four.

Section 2: The Clash with Air Force

Setting the Stage: An introduction to the pivotal game against Air Force, highlighting the stakes involved.

Game Recap: A detailed breakdown of the contest, including scoring plays, standout moments, and the flow of the game.

Section 3: Key Performers

Player Spotlight: Focusing on standout players from Boston College and their contributions to the victory.

Unsung Heroes: Recognizing the behind-the-scenes efforts of players who may not have made the scoresheet but played crucial roles.

Section 4: The Frozen Four Dream Nears

The Next Hurdle: Discussing the significance of this win in Boston College's quest to reach the Frozen Four.

Potential Matchups: Speculating on the opponents the Eagles might face in the Frozen Four, should they advance.

Section 5: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Understanding College Hockey Playoff Success

Answering common questions and discussions related to college hockey playoffs and the Frozen Four:

What does it take to succeed in the college hockey playoffs?

Analyzing the unique challenges and qualities required to navigate the postseason successfully.

What makes Boston College a perennial contender in college hockey?

Exploring the factors that have consistently positioned the Eagles as one of the nation's top programs.

What does reaching the Frozen Four mean for Boston College and its fans?

Discussing the excitement and expectations associated with reaching the pinnacle of college hockey.

Section 6: The Road Ahead

In conclusion, Boston College's thrilling victory over Air Force has brought them one step closer to the Frozen Four, where dreams can become reality and legacies can be cemented. As the Eagles prepare for the next challenge, the entire Boston College community is filled with anticipation and pride, knowing that they are on the brink of something special. Whether it's the players on the ice, the coaching staff behind the bench, or the passionate fans in the stands, everyone associated with Boston College hockey is united by a shared goal: to bring home another national championship and add to the storied history of this exceptional program. The journey continues, and the Frozen Four awaits.