Johnny G Leads Eagles To Third Straight Title !

For the third straight year and the 11th time overall, the Boston College Eagles won the Hockey East tournament championship by way of a 4-1 victory over the Maine Black Bears. The Eagles, led by Johnny G, put forth their best effort since the Beanpot in the victory over the Spencer Abbott less Black Bears. A lot of people like to talk about Maine's big line being the best in the country but from what I have seen, no one has been able to match the offensive domination of Johnny Gaudreau-Pat Mullane-Paul Carey over the course of the past month and a half. I thought Maine got off to a pretty good start as they seemed to be shooting the puck from every place possible but Parker Milner, like he always seems to do, stood tall and denied the Black Bears of any goals. Once the Eagles settled down, they really started to fly for the final fifteen minutes of the first period. BC finally struck gold about six minutes into the game when Patch Alber shot the puck on Maine goalie Dan Sullivan who actually made the initial stop but the puck bounced right onto the stick of Johnny G who banged it home to make it 1-0 Eagles. Just three minutes after that goal, Black Bear forward Joey Diamond took a really bad interference call which gave the Eagles a great chance to create a nice two goal cushion for themselves. Just nine seconds into the power play, Gaudreau once again put home a rebound off a Chris Kreider shot from the point to make it 2-0 Eagles. 

Maine once again came out hard in the second and were rewarded with an early period goal by star forward Brian Flynn who took a pass from linemate Joey Diamond and backhanded one over the right shoulder of Parker Milner. Once Flynn scored, the Eagles seemed to responded pretty well as I thought BC's transition game was even better than it normally is. I thought both teams did a great job of generating odd man rushes and getting good chances but Sullivan and Milner both made some great stops. As the period was coming to a close and it appeared it would be a one goal game heading into the third, Johnny Gaudreau made one of the best plays all season when he made a beautiful dish to Pat Mullane who fired one past Sullivan to give the Eagles a two goal lead. I don't think one can really express how big of a goal that was because Maine could definitely come back from a one goal deficit vs BC but now down two goals and being without Abbott, the Black Bears had a steep mountain to climb. 

I thought the third period was by far and away one of BC's most defensively sound periods of the year. The Black Bears played their big line almost every other shift to try to generate some chances but guys like Tommy Cross, Pat Wey, and Brian Dumoulin did a great job of keeping the Bears from getting "Grade A" chances. In the end however, the biggest reason BC won this game was because of it's penalty kill. I think coach Mike Cavanaugh (who runs the PK) deserves a boatload of credit for drawing up a battle plan that seemed to stump the high powered Maine power play. Yes, the Bears didn't have Abbott but they still have a fantastic power play regardless of whether Abbott  is in or out, so kudos to Coach Cav and the BC penalty killers for keeping that power play at bay. In the end, winning a Hockey East championship is great and all but here at BC, the biggest reward is not winning the Beanpot, not winning the Hockey East regular season title, not winning the Hockey East tournament championship, but winning the National Championship. 

Why BC Won 

1. The penalty kill was GREAT. The reason Maine beat Parker and BU  last night was because the Terriers couldn't get a kill. The reason Maine lost tonight is because BC's PK stumped Maine every time they were out there. 

2. Johnny Gaudreau is just amazing. Almeida and Dumoulin are very good players but in my opinion, Johnny Gaudreau is the best player on this team. The talent and skill he has is something I personally have never seen out of a college hockey player (Besides Gerbe).

3. Limiting Maine's chances. One thing Maine did very well vs BU last night was getting bodies in front of the net which allowed them to screen Millan and get goals. Tonight, the BC defense did a great job of keeping the Black Bears away from Milner and limiting the Maine shots to the outside. 

Problems 

1. We won a trophy, no problems with that. 

Notes 

1. Johnny G is the 7th freshman ever to win tournament MVP 

2. BC now has a 5-2 lead over Maine in all time matchups in the Hockey East championship game. 

3. BC is the first team to win 3 straight championships and now have the most consecutive wins ever in tournament play with 12. 

4. BC will most likely play Air Force in the first round of the NCAA's next week in Worcester. 

Player of the game- Come on, Johnny G ! 

Until Next Time, 

GO EAGLES 

 "Johnny Gaudreau Leads Eagles To Third Straight Title: A Historic Hockey Journey"

In the world of college hockey, few names shine as brightly as Johnny Gaudreau's. His journey with the Boston College Eagles is a testament to skill, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence. In this article, we'll celebrate Johnny Gaudreau's remarkable achievements as he led the Eagles to their third straight NCAA championship title. We'll explore his impact on the team, the unforgettable moments of that historic season, and address some frequently asked questions about his career.

Section 1: The Rise of Johnny Hockey

Early Days: A brief introduction to Johnny Gaudreau's hockey journey, from his childhood in New Jersey to his recruitment by Boston College.

The College Decision: The factors that led Gaudreau to choose Boston College as his collegiate home.

Section 2: Johnny G's Impact on Boston College

Skill and Creativity: A deep dive into Johnny Gaudreau's playing style, highlighting his exceptional skills and creativity on the ice.

Leadership and Teamwork: Exploring how Gaudreau's leadership and teamwork elevated the performance of the entire Eagles squad.

Section 3: The Journey to a Third Straight Title

The Season Overview: An examination of the Boston College Eagles' 2013-2014 season, including key games and milestones.

Championship Run: Recapping the thrilling journey through the NCAA tournament, with a focus on the championship game.

Section 4: Unforgettable Moments

Hat Tricks and Milestones: A look at Johnny Gaudreau's standout performances during the championship run, including memorable hat tricks and records broken.

The Title-Winning Goal: A play-by-play analysis of the championship-clinching goal and the eruption of joy that followed.

Section 5: FAQ - Johnny Gaudreau's Legacy

Answering frequently asked questions about Johnny Gaudreau's time at Boston College and his impact on the game:

What made Johnny Gaudreau such a special player for Boston College?

Exploring the unique attributes and skills that set him apart.

How did his leadership affect the team's success during his tenure?

Discussing the role of leadership in Boston College's championship runs.

What records and awards did Gaudreau achieve during his college career?

Recognizing the accolades and milestones he reached.

Section 6: Johnny G's Journey Beyond College

NHL Career: An overview of Johnny Gaudreau's transition to the NHL and his continued success with the Calgary Flames.

Legacy and Inspiration: Reflecting on the impact he has had on aspiring hockey players and his continued influence in the sport.

Johnny Gaudreau's journey with the Boston College Eagles is etched in the annals of college hockey history. His skill, leadership, and dedication led the Eagles to their third consecutive NCAA championship title, leaving an indelible mark on the program. As he continues to excel in the NHL, his legacy and inspiration endure, reminding us of the heights that can be reached through passion, talent, and unwavering determination. Johnny Gaudreau's story is not just about championships won, but about the enduring spirit of the game and the pursuit of excellence that defines the heart of a true hockey hero.