Power Play Leads Boston College Past Providence

Over the course of the last four games, BC has given their opponents a whopping 24 power plays while they themselves have only had 10 over that time span. It seemed like it was only a matter of time before the calls started to go our direction. That's exactly what happened Friday night when Providence defenseman John Gilmour leveled Johnny G from behind into the boards early on in the second period. It's the type of hit that just doesn't belong in this sport. Gilmour could have seriously hurt Johnny if he had his head facing the boards. The Eagles took advantage of their extended PP chance, scoring two quick goals to gain the all important two goal lead this team has been trying so hard to establish over the course of the past few games. BC went with one real big unit with Johnny G, Mullane, and Arnold as the forwards while Steven Whitney and Mike Matheson ran the point. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better defensive pair in the country that runs the power play as good as Matheson and Whitney do. They have all the essentials for that position. They can move pucks, they can shoot, and they have speed. After the two goals, the Eagles still had close to two full minutes of power play time but PC forward Ross Mauermann flat out beat Matheson in the neutral zone, eventually capitalizing on a breakaway move to beat Parker Milner, making it a one goal game.  Besides that error, I really liked the way BC's power play looked tonight. About 5 minutes after the Mauermann goal, BC was handed another power play but this time they weren't able to come through, well technically they didn't. With time winding down on the man advantage, Gilles slipped in the crease  allowing BC to have a pretty open shot on goal. After Mike Matheson fired one just wide, the puck bounced right out to Steve Whitney who easily one-timed it by the freshman goalie, giving BC the two goal edge once again. Simply put it, BC's power play was terrific tonight. They moved the puck around exceptionally well, they created great chances on Gilles, and they scored when they needed to.

The third period was one of the most nerve racking/up and down periods of hockey I've seen all year. After a Teddy Doherty tripping penalty very early in the third, Providence created a 2 on 1 through the neutral zone that resulted in a Nick Saracino goal from  around the left face-off dot. It was a great shot and all but I'm pretty sure that Milner would have liked to have it back. He seemed just a tad out of position and in this league, guys are skilled enough to make the one little error become a game changing goal. So now, BC had 16 minutes of hockey to either keep their case going for a #1 overall seed or become seriously close to falling down to a 3 seed. They came this close to it being the latter. The Friars got their big chance on the night when Pat Mullane and Isaac Macleod took two penalties within 30 seconds of each other, giving PC a long 5 on 3. Thanks to some superb penalty killing by Billy Arnold, Mike Matheson, and Quinn Smith, plus some big saves by Parker Milner, the Eagles killed it off and suddenly had all the momentum back on their side. As time winded down, Providence continued to create a bunch of flurries around Milner but BC's forwards and defenseman did a solid job of chipping pucks off the walls and getting it deep in the PC end. In situations like those, you don't want to have an odd man rush and have it be another 3 on 1 or 3 on 2 the other way. To avoid this, the Eagles just tried to get pucks deep and send one guy in hard, with the other two forwards staying back for the most part. Thankfully, it worked and BC got a huge victory.

So, last night's win basically sets up another game that could go a long way in deciding BC's playoff fate. With a win and some help around the country, they could move up to #2 in the pairwise along with maintaining their #1 spot in Hockey East. A loss puts them right back in the mix to go out West during tournament time. One observation I had from last night was that it was one of the most physical games I have seen in a long time. Providence certainly plays a different brand of "smash mouth hockey". They hit you in any way they can and actually, it left a couple of Eagles really banged up after the game. Pat Wey was cut with a skate in the final seconds of the third period, causing blood to spill all over the BC dressing room but according to sources, he is all set to play in this afternoon's game...his final regular season game @ Conte Forum.  I'm expecting another hard fought, low scoring, and certainly physical game today but if BC can continue to build off of what they did last night, they can get what would be another big time victory tonight.

Why BC Won-

1. They capitalized on their power play chances. Lately, BC has been doing everything except for scoring when they are on the man advantage. That changed in a big way last night as all three of BC's goals happened because of a power play.

2. They bended but didn't break late in the game. Providence was able to get a couple of real good shots on goal late in the contest, including one right in front of Milner with 5 seconds left that eventually missed the net. Good job by BC's defense of staying course throughout the night.

3. Their best players were great. Whitney, Johnny G, Mullane, Arnold, and Matheson all had big games last night. I also thought BC's secondary group of forwards was solid for the majority of the game. Really liked the way guys like Pat Brown and Mike Sit played.

Problems

Penalties in the third period. When you're winning a game by two or more goals, the biggest thing you have to avoid is penalties, especially when you're playing a team like Providence, a team that doesn't score a ton of goals. The Eagles were fortunate not to give up more than one goal in the third.

Player of the game- Steven Whitney

Go Eagles.

 Power Play Dominance: Boston College Soars Past Providence

In the world of ice hockey, a well-executed power play can be the difference between victory and defeat. When Boston College took on Providence in their recent matchup, their power play unit showcased its prowess, propelling them to an impressive victory. In this article, we will delve into the significance of power plays in ice hockey, analyze the key moments and factors that contributed to Boston College's success, discuss standout players and strategies, and answer frequently asked questions to provide a comprehensive understanding of this dominant performance.

I. The Significance of Power Plays in Ice Hockey

Power plays are a critical aspect of ice hockey for several reasons:

Man Advantage: During a power play, a team has a numerical advantage, often creating scoring opportunities.

Momentum Swing: Successful power plays can shift the momentum of a game, energizing the team and its fans.

Strategic Element: Teams meticulously plan and execute power plays, making them an integral part of their offensive strategy.

II. Analyzing the Key Moments and Factors

Let's delve into the key moments and factors that played a pivotal role in Boston College's power play dominance against Providence:

Power Play Goals: Highlighting the goals scored during power plays and the execution of these opportunities.

Special Teams Excellence: Discussing the importance of special teams, including power plays and penalty kills.

Strategic Prowess: Analyzing the strategies employed by Boston College's coaching staff and players to capitalize on the man advantage.

III. Standout Players and Strategies

The dominance of Boston College's power play unit often depends on standout players and strategic approaches:

Player Profiles: Taking a closer look at standout players on Boston College's roster and their contributions to the power play success.

Coaching Strategies: Exploring the strategies and tactics employed by the coaching staff to maximize power play efficiency.

IV. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are some common power play strategies in ice hockey?

Common strategies include setting up players in scoring positions, moving the puck quickly, and taking advantage of the opponent's defensive gaps.

How does successful power play performance impact the overall outcome of a game?

Successful power plays often lead to goals, which can significantly impact the final score and the team's chances of winning.

What factors contribute to a team's penalty kill effectiveness, and how did Providence fare in this regard?

Penalty kill effectiveness depends on strong defensive positioning, shot blocking, and goaltending. Providence's penalty kill may have faced challenges against Boston College's power play.

How do fans and supporters react to a team's power play dominance, and what does it mean for the team's prospects in the season?

Fans often celebrate power play success enthusiastically, as it bodes well for the team's offensive capabilities and prospects for the season.

V. Conclusion

Boston College's power play dominance against Providence is a testament to the precision, teamwork, and strategic brilliance that define success in ice hockey. These moments of excellence on the power play remind us of the thrilling and dynamic nature of the sport.

As fans, we savor these moments of triumph and appreciate the skill and dedication of the athletes who execute them. Power plays are not just about goals; they are about the excitement they generate and the impact they have on the outcome of games. As the season unfolds, we eagerly await more displays of power play mastery, knowing that they will continue to captivate us and define the essence of ice hockey.