Previewing the UVM Catamounts

 

One thing Coach York always talks about this time of year is “trophy season” and how you play for one thing and one thing only : trophies. This weekend, the Eagles will have a chance to claim it’s second trophy of the season with a couple wins over the Vermont Catamounts (they also need some help from PC and Maine).  Anyways, like I said, the regular season trophy is nice and all but it’s not what guys strive for @ BC. If this team wants to have  a chance at being a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament, two wins this weekend are absolutely necessary. There is no other way around it. Unlike last weekend where the Eagles were missing two of their best players, this weekend leaves no room for excuses. It’s win or no 1 seed, or even worse, no home ice. Let me get this out of the way because I know it’s probably all you are thinking about. Steven Whitney and Patrick Wey both practiced today, and should be good to go for this weekend. I’d say Wey is a definite go and Whitney is right on the fence, but certainly leaning towards probable. Obviously, having these two back would be a huge boost. Whenever you get the best offensive player in your league best on your club, it never hurts. Same goes for Wey because he is as solid and smart of a defenseman as BC has on it’s team. They need him really badly, I mean just look at how bad things were without him.

After Saturday’s debacle, I think a lot of people started counting this team out and you never want to use injuries as an excuse but let’s be honest, BC had a very small chance of beating a team like Providence without elite players like Whitney and Wey. It’s not an excuse for playing poorly, but I mean just look at how well they played with those two guys at full strength a day earlier. With those two back in the lineup, I think we will see a lot of improvement on both ends. As for the previous meeting with Vermont this season, the Eagles won 4-1 @ Conte Forum but it was the Catamounts that outshot BC by a 39-30 margins. Don’t let the shots fool you because BC actually played a pretty good game considering the fact they had just lost two in a row to a really bad Maine team.  Anyways, since then both teams have had their ups and down but Vermont is actually playing some good hockey as of late as they’re coming off a nice 5-2 victory on Saturday night @ the Jack Parker Rink but they also fell to the Terriers by a 3-1 margin the night before. UVM’s problem this year has the inability to put the puck in the net. They have scored an average of 2.28 goals per game, good for 9^th in the league. The guy to watch up front is certainly former BC commit Chris McCarthy who leads the team with 11 goals and 17 assist along with a +/- of + 4, good for second on their club.

Honestly, it’s not really about what Vermont does. If they play well, great. If they play bad, that’s great to. What really matters is how BC responds to last Saturday’s disaster. One thing this team has done really well  this year is responding to adversity with all the injuries and suspensions. I think we’re going to see a BC team that comes out with a certain type of intensity that we didn’t see in the game vs the Friars on Saturday but we did see it on Friday night. Vermont doesn’t score a lot of goals but if the Eagles give them 5 or 6 power plays, then they will put pucks in the net. You can’t give a team like UVM chances on the power play because you know they’re probably not going to score a lot of even strength goals, so why give them extra chances ? 

Keys for the Eagles-

1. Grind it out. It’s never easy winning games on the road in this league but BC can do it if they play like they have in their past two roadies (@ MC and @ PC).

2. Got to find a way to execute better. The Eagles had a lot of chances to score early on in Saturday’s loss but they weren’t able to come through.  BC has got to find a way to execute better tomorrow night.  

Scouting the Catamounts-

 Best Wins- vs Providence vs Union

Worst Loss- vs Penn State

Pairwise Rank- N/R

Hockey East Rank- 6^th

Leading Scorer- Chris McCarthy- 11-17-28

Previous Meetings- BC is 1-0 this year vs UVM.

Go Eagles.

ChatGPT

Title: Previewing the UVM Catamounts: A Glimpse into the Upcoming Showdown

Introduction

In the world of college hockey, the anticipation of upcoming matchups can be as exciting as the games themselves. As the Boston College Eagles prepare to face the University of Vermont (UVM) Catamounts, fans and players alike are eager to see how the teams will fare against each other. In this article, we will delve into the significance of the upcoming showdown, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the UVM Catamounts, discuss key players and strategies, and answer frequently asked questions to provide a comprehensive preview of this highly anticipated matchup.

I. The Significance of the Showdown

The upcoming showdown between the Boston College Eagles and the UVM Catamounts holds significant importance for several reasons:

Conference Rivalry: Games between conference rivals are highly anticipated and often carry playoff implications.

Mid-Season Assessment: The matchup serves as a mid-season assessment of both teams' strengths and areas for improvement.

II. Analyzing the UVM Catamounts

To understand the upcoming showdown, let's take a closer look at the University of Vermont (UVM) Catamounts:

Team Overview: An overview of the UVM Catamounts, their history, and their performance in recent seasons.

Strengths: Identifying the key strengths of the Catamounts that the Eagles must contend with.

Weaknesses: Analyzing areas where the Catamounts may be vulnerable and that the Eagles can exploit.

III. Key Players and Strategies

The outcome of the showdown may hinge on the performances of key players and strategic approaches:

Impact Players: Highlighting standout players on the UVM roster who can make a difference in the game.

Strategic Approaches: Discussing potential strategies the Catamounts may employ and how the Eagles can counter them.

IV. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the historical head-to-head record between the Boston College Eagles and the UVM Catamounts, and how might it influence the upcoming matchup?

Historical records can provide insights into the rivalry, but each game is a unique battle on the ice.

How can fans and alumni support the Boston College Eagles in this upcoming showdown against the UVM Catamounts?

Fans can show their support by attending games, engaging with the team on social media, and participating in fan events.

What are some memorable moments and past matchups between these two teams that fans can look back on?

Memorable moments may include playoff battles, overtime thrillers, and standout individual performances.

What are the potential playoff implications of this matchup, and how might it impact the standings in the conference?

Conference standings can be influenced by the outcome of conference matchups, potentially affecting playoff seedings.

V. Conclusion

The upcoming showdown between the Boston College Eagles and the University of Vermont (UVM) Catamounts promises to be a thrilling contest filled with intense competition and high-stakes moments. As fans eagerly anticipate the clash between these two teams, they can reflect on the history, strengths, and strategies of the UVM Catamounts while keeping a keen eye on the performances of key players.

In the world of college hockey, every game is an opportunity for players to shine, for fans to show their unwavering support, and for rivalries to be rekindled on the ice. The upcoming showdown is a reminder of the excitement and passion that college hockey brings to fans and players alike, as they come together to witness the pursuit of victory and excellence on the frozen surface.