Previewing the #4 New Hampshire Wildcats

In what might be the biggest weekend of the regular season, the Boston College Eagles, who will be without Coach York, will take on long time Hockey East rival New Hampshire Friday night @ Conte and Saturday in Durham. It's pretty difficult to put into words how big this weekend is in terms of the pairwise, Hockey East standings, and the overall outlook of the remainder of the season. Look, everyone knows that the team has been struggling after getting demolished by the Golden Gophers and suffering through a tough tie at home vs Yale but help is indeed on the way as Johnny G is set to make his first start in an Eagle uniform since the early December home win vs BU. Yea, the Eagles struggled in all three of their games without him but if you've watched the team at all this year, you know that it's a whole new ballgame when #13 hits the ice. Johnny being back will not fix anything however if some guys don't snap out of their own little funks as too many guys slept through the Yale game looking like they didn't even care to be there. That needs to change and if you can't get motivated to play in games like the two this weekend, then you shouldn't be a part of this hockey team. Big games like these are the type you want to play in and are a big reason why guys commit here.

As for the Wildcats, they don't have many flaws. They lead the league in special teams net, have one of the best netminders in the country, have the best D core in Hockey East, and have a couple of high powered forwards that are among the countries brightest. UNH has only lost two league games this year and just one of those came on the road when they fell to UMass in early November by a 3-2 (OT) count. Their other loss came at home vs the the Terriers. Leading the Cats up front will be Jr Kevin Goumas, who has a team high 26 points to go along with a +17 rating and sophomore Grayson Downing who is second on the team with 8 goals and 7 assist along with a +12 rating. It's going to be fun seeing the two best lines in Hockey East go against each other for the first time as I hope the addition of Johnny G will help rejuvenate the play of Pat Mullane and Steven Whitney. On the defensive side of things, the Wildcats are 1st in scoring defense as they have only given up an average of 1.94 goals per game (the second most is Lowell who is averaging 2.35). In order to put more pucks in the net, BC is going to have to try and get a consistent attack on the UNH defense, something they were not able to do at all vs Minnesota and Yale. It's certainly a lot harder for BC to win when guys like Whitney, Mullane, and Straight are not scoring at the rate they should be. Hopefully, the return of Johnny Hockey helps those guys get the puck into the back of the net.

All in all, it's hard not to get excited for this weekend after the tough games the team has had over the past two weeks. When it comes to the defenseman, we can only pray that another week of preparation and practice does them good and hope they will be able to do their jobs. For guys like Sullivan and Jeke, their role is simple. Play your position in your own end, remember to always be covering your man, do your best job of avoiding turnovers, and help start fluent breakouts that will lead to odd man rushes for the Eagles. If they can keep it simple and not try to do too much with (and without) the puck, then I believe we will start seeing better results out of them. As for the team as a whole, they've got to find a way to stop taking so many penalties. It's not an excuse for the bad performances as of late but it certainly doesn't help when you're taking a penalty every 5 minutes. I look for a weekend full of fast paced and exciting hockey which means that whatever team brings their absolute best effort on both nights will almost certainly walk out with a victory.

Keys for the Eagles-

1. Stay out of the box and capitalize when given man advantages. UNH doesn't take a lot of penalties but BC has been flying high on the PP as they currently rank #1 in the country.

2. Make life easier for the defenseman by keeping the puck in the offensive zone. Cycling and forechecking are going to be key tomorrow. BC needs to do a good job in both those categories because the more time they spend in UNH's zone, the better off they'll be.

3. Need the first line to get going. It would be nice to see them return to the form we saw earlier in the year when they were by far the best line in the country. With 13 back, they should be able to pick up the pace.

Taking a look at UNH-

Best wins- vs BU (x2), @ Denver

Worst loss- vs UMass

Top line- Goumas-Burke-Henrion

Pairwise Rank- 3

Power play rank- 5th

Penalty kill rank- 1st

All Time Series-Boston College is 64-62-12 vs UNH and enters the series on a 5 game win streak vs the Wilcats. BC also won the last meeting in January of last year up in Durham.

Prediction- I'll go 3-2 BC tomorrow

Go Eagles

 "Previewing the #4 New Hampshire Wildcats: A Closer Look at the Team's Prospects and Expectations"

The world of college sports is a vibrant and ever-evolving landscape, with talented athletes and dedicated fans coming together to witness the birth of new legends. In this article, we turn our attention to the #4-ranked New Hampshire Wildcats, a collegiate sports team that has been making waves in recent times. We'll delve into the team's history, strengths, and expectations for the upcoming season, providing a comprehensive preview for fans and enthusiasts alike. Additionally, we'll address some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to ensure you're well-informed about this exciting team.

Chapter 1: A Glimpse into the Past

Before we dive into the current state of the New Hampshire Wildcats, it's essential to understand the team's history and how they've reached their current position. The Wildcats, hailing from the University of New Hampshire, have a storied legacy in various sports, including football, basketball, and ice hockey. Over the years, they've produced several notable athletes who have gone on to excel in professional leagues.

Chapter 2: Current Rankings and Recent Success

The New Hampshire Wildcats have been riding high in the rankings lately, consistently earning a place among the nation's top teams. Their #4 ranking reflects their recent achievements and serves as a testament to their dedication and hard work. But what has led to this success?

Chapter 3: Strengths and Key Players

To understand why the Wildcats are ranked #4, we must examine their strengths and key players. Every successful team has a combination of talent, coaching, and teamwork, and New Hampshire is no exception. Their roster boasts a mix of experienced veterans and promising newcomers, creating a well-rounded squad capable of competing at the highest level.

Chapter 4: Coaching and Leadership

Behind every great team, there's a dedicated coaching staff that plays a pivotal role in shaping the players' skills and strategies. The Wildcats benefit from a coaching team with a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the game. Their leadership on and off the field is instrumental in the team's success.

Chapter 5: Expectations for the Upcoming Season

As the Wildcats gear up for the upcoming season, there are high expectations and a sense of anticipation among fans and experts alike. What are the team's goals for the season, and what challenges might they face along the way? A closer look at their schedule and matchups can provide valuable insights into what lies ahead.

Chapter 6: Frequently Asked Questions About the New Hampshire Wildcats

To ensure you're well-informed about the #4-ranked New Hampshire Wildcats, let's address some common questions that fans and newcomers may have.

FAQ 1: What sports does the University of New Hampshire excel in, apart from the ones mentioned in the article?

While we've focused on specific sports, the University of New Hampshire has a diverse athletic program that includes baseball, soccer, track and field, and many others. The Wildcats have made notable achievements in various sports, making them a well-rounded athletic institution.

FAQ 2: Can you provide more details about the team's recent achievements and championships?

The New Hampshire Wildcats have a rich history of success, with numerous conference championships and playoff appearances across different sports. Their achievements are a testament to their commitment to excellence and their dedication to representing their university with pride.

FAQ 3: How can I get tickets to watch the New Hampshire Wildcats play?

Ticket availability for Wildcats games varies depending on the sport and the season. You can typically purchase tickets through the university's official website or contact the athletic department for information on ticket availability, pricing, and seating options.

FAQ 4: Are there any standout athletes or alumni from the University of New Hampshire who have achieved success at the professional level?

Yes, the University of New Hampshire has produced several athletes who have gone on to achieve success at the professional level. These alumni serve as inspirations for current Wildcats and continue to make their alma mater proud with their accomplishments.

The #4-ranked New Hampshire Wildcats are a team on the rise, with a rich history, a talented roster, and high expectations for the upcoming season. As fans eagerly await the action on the field, it's clear that this team has the potential to continue making waves in the world of college sports.

In this article, we've explored the team's history, current rankings, strengths, key players, coaching staff, and expectations for the future. Additionally, we've addressed some frequently asked questions to ensure that you're well-informed about this dynamic and exciting team.

As the season unfolds, we can look forward to witnessing the New Hampshire Wildcats in action, as they aim to add more chapters to their storied legacy and create memories that will endure in the annals of collegiate sports history.

Coach York Out for UNH Series

Coach York will not be behind the bench this weekend when Boston College takes on New Hampshire on Friday and Saturday night. He had outpatient eye surgery today. Coach Cav and Coach Brown will split the head coaching duties in his absence. 

Coach York Out for UNH Series 

Midweek Column- Gearing Up for the Wildcats

With  the HUGE weekend looming, I thought it would be good to go over the top 5 things BC needs to do in order to get back on track. There are a ton of reasons as for why the Eagles haven't played too hot this past month but I think if they can focus on these 5 things, it would go a long way in having a successful weekend.

1. Getting the offense going now that everyone is back. This will be the first time since November 11th that BC has it's full stack of forwards as Johnny G and Destry Straight were both out for a period of time. With those two back, the Eagles will once again have their always dangerous first two lines of Johnny G-Mullane-Whitney and Hayes-Arnold-Silk/Straight. I also think the return of Johnny G will help the bottom two lines because guys like Smith and Sit play better in those type of roles than they do when one (or two) of the top six forwards is out. I look for BC's offense to get back on track this weekend.

2. Take as much pressure off the freshman defenseman by spending as much time as possible in the opponents end. The longer the Eagles, led by their first two lines, control the puck in the Wildcat end, the shorter amount of time the freshman defenseman will be running around in their own zone chasing the puck. BC has got to find a way to get pucks deep, get guys on the puck, and create turnovers or else UNH will spend more time in BC's end which will probably leave to more goals for them.

3. Stay out of the penalty box. This has been a huge issue for this team in the past few weeks. Whether it was giving the Golden Gophers 7 power plays or the Bulldogs 6 of their own, BC is spending too much time shorthanded when they're already with their best playmaker. Penalties don't always lead to goals but they almost always give the opponent golden opportunities to score some goals. BC cannot be the team that takes more penalties this weekend or else they will certainly pay the price.

4. Get the puck on the wall, break it out, and create odd man rushes. No team is better than BC when they're breaking the puck out and creating odd man rushes through the neutral zone. BC Hockey has always been about speed and an uptempo style of play and in order to beat a UNH team that likes to play at a bit slower of a pace, the Eagles need to make sure that they are the team that dictates the pace of the game.

5. Just give the puck to Johnny G. It may sound stupid and all that but seriously, when this guy has the puck, something good will come out of it. His linemates, Mullane and Whitney, need to be the ones that are not only giving him the puck but are the ones that are creating space for him and for themselves so that they can be ready to receive a pass. Hopefully, when the game gets close in the third period, the staff puts him on the ice more and more because as we saw in Russia, he' not too bad of a hockey player.

Preview up tomorrow,

Go Eagles

Midweek Column- Gearing Up for the Wildcats 

The Johnny G Effect

Ever watch those movies where the superhero has something going on in his life and has to leave for a while and when he is gone, the whole city erupts and violence is everywhere ? Well, the same can be said (not the violence part) for BC Hockey. The past couple of games have not been up to the standards that this club holds for themselves and with the #4 New Hampshire Wildcats waiting in the wings, the Eagles need to have as good a week of preparation as they've had all year. Now, I'm sure you all are aware that BC is going to get back a guy that's not too bad at hockey and he kind of proved it vs the best 20 year olds in the world. Ya, that guy would be Johnny G. I'm not saying you can throw out the past few games as it clearly showed some flaws in each and every guy but in reality, getting #13 back helps in so many ways that go beyond his playmaking abilities. First of all, this will be the first time since November 11th that the Eagles will have their full forward lineup. With Destry Straight out for about a month and Johnny G is Russia, many guys were put into roles that may not have been best for them. Now with Johnny Hockey back and ready to roll, BC will be able to recreate it's two outstanding scoring lines of Johnny-Mullane-Whitney and Hayes-Arnold-Silk/Straight. It's kind of ironic because you really couldn't pick a better weekend for these guys to be back.

I'll save my previews and stuff for later in the week but for now, all you need to know about UNH is that they're very good, especially in their own zone. It's going to the toughest test of the year for a BC team that will hopefully get back to hitting it's stride like it was just before winter break. Some people may tell you differently but not having Johnny G on this team is like the Broncos being without Peyton Manning. It's a whole new ballgame when 13 is on the ice because he makes every guy that is out there with him a better hockey player. Look, BC only lost one game this season when they had their full slate of forwards. Straight being out for so long also left a hole on both the second and third lines and it will be interesting to see whether the staff puts Destry back with Kevin Hayes and Bill Arnold or if they decided to keep Brendan Silk on the second line. I would try to guess but right now, I don't think they could go wrong either way although Silk has certainly started to put the puck in the net since he was moved up.

From goaltending, to offensive production, to the power play, and especially to the defenseman, everything is going to need to be in tip top shape for Friday night. UNH is probably the deepest team in the league meaning the Eagles' third and fourth lines are going to need to step up and play some good hockey. One of the biggest areas that Johnny G will help in is special teams. Whether it's penalty killing or on the power play, it gives the Eagles a little more depth and options (especially on the power play where 13 is a magician). Yes, some will freak out because of the losses to Minnesota and the tie vs Yale and some will tell you that BC is overrated because of it but if you ask me, I wouldn't say a thing until #13 hits the ice on Friday night.

Go Eagles.

The Johnny G Effect

Eagles Tie Yale

"It's a work in progress". Those were the word of Coach York following the teams 3-3 tie to the #17 Yale Bulldogs Friday night @ Conte Forum. Don't be fooled be the score however as BC was outshot by a 48-22 margin, a stat that clearly shows which team should have won the hockey game. First off, hats off to Yale. That's a good hockey team and they came in here and dominated the game from start to finish. Despite being down 2-0, Yale battled back and eventually scored three straight goals to go up 3-2. Certainly, that team deserved better last night. As for the home team, I don't know what else to say. I'm officially worried about this Eagles team. Sure, missing the best player in college hockey is never an easy thing to overcome but it looked like some guys were totally disinterested in being at Conte Forum last night. That's not acceptable and being outshot by more than a 2-1 margin (at home might I add) is totally out of this world and if the defense doesn't shape up, this team won't be going places anytime soon. I thought BC was lucky to get out to a 2-0 advantage like they did when Brendan Silk pounced on a rebound early in the second stanza because really, Yale was controlling and it was only a matter of time before they got on the board. Thanks to some more boneheaded penalties and poor decision making, BC made it rather easy for Yale to storm back and go up 3-2 before the Bulldogs took some bad penalties of their own late in the second. I was pleased to see that the power play came up big and scored that must needed goal to tie it up after being handed a lengthy 5 on 3 but in reality, when it came to 5 on 5 hockey yesterday BC got totally outplayed in every aspect.

There were some good things to take out of this game starting with the 5 minute penalty kill early in the third period. Thanks to a stupid contact to the head penalty in the final seconds of the second period by Mike Matheson, BC was on it's heels for much of the start of the third but were fortunately able to get out alive. In my opinion, that moment right there was the difference between a BC loss and a BC win/tie as the Eagles didn't really allow the Bulldogs to get anything set up until the last minute of the man advantage. For about five minutes after the penalty, BC seemed to be humming again and creating some scoring chances but were denied thanks to some nice saves by Yale goalie Jeff Malcolm. While the power play did score the tying goal late in the second, they had another golden opportunity late in the contest but were unable to get anything going. As for the OT, I thought Yale controlled the play for the majority of the 5 minutes and had some great chances to win it but it may have been the only period of the game where the defense actually stood up and made some plays. That was good to see.

Unfortunately, there were a lot more things that went wrong yesterday than there were things that went right. It seemed that only a handful of forwards looked like they were out there to try and win the hockey game while some others were looking forward to getting the heck out of there and enjoying their weekend off. As for the defense, I would say that things can only get better but the best offensive team in the league, UNH, is coming to town next Friday. Uh oh. I thought Parker Milner was fine tonight except for the second Yale goal which looked like it was shot from beyond the blue line. Besides that little mishap, he pretty much saved the game for the Eagles.

Look, the bottom line is that thing are looking a little bit shaky right now. The defense is (very) suspect, the forwards aren't producing, and the team is getting dominated when it comes to 5 on 5 hockey. Of course, the best news last night is that the team will get Johnny G back on Monday which should certainly help out everyone. Next weekend may be the biggest of the year and it will be very tough to win with the way this team is playing right now but with Johnny Hockey back and the defense getting another week of practice under their belts, a couple of wins is not out of this world.

Positives-

1. The penalty kill was solid last night. They gave up one goal but the 5 minute major that they killed off was a huge momentum swinger.

2. Some guys like Billy Arnold and Kevin Hayes played pretty well and looked like they wanted to be there and win the hockey game. Others meanwhile looked slow and disinterested throughout the contest.

Problems-

1. Giving up 48 shots is never something you want to see and it's a pretty good stat in terms of showing just how bad BC played in their own end.

2. The effort and consistent play was never there last night. BC was never able to constantly get pressure on Malcolm and the Yale defense.

Next up- UNH weekend.

Congrats to Johnny G and Team USA on the gold medal ! Certainly an awesome accomplishment.

Previewing the #17 Yale University Bulldogs

Boston College will look to get back to it's winning ways this weekend when they face off vs ECAC foe Yale Friday night at Conte Forum. As we all know, the Eagles got smashed last weekend in Minnesota as they fell to the host Gophers by a score of 8-1 in what was a pretty horrendous display of hockey. The best news is that the Eagles will be facing off against what is a solid Bulldog squad but is certainly nowhere near the same caliber of the Golden Gophers. Unfortunately, BC will once again be without Johnny G who continues to shine out in Russia during the World Jr Championships. I don't expect that the staff will make many lineup changes if any for this game but I wouldn't be surprised if you see some lines get a lot more playing time than they normally do. On the defensive end, the Eagles will have defenseman Isaac Macleod back from a shoulder injury so that should help smooth out the play in the defensive end. Look, I know lots of people are freaking out about the five freshman defenseman and all that but in reality, I do think it's going to take a lot of time for them to fully adjust but they will.  Parker Milner played his worst game of the year last weekend but I don't think the staff is too concerned with his play because he has certainly proved his worth over the course of his career at BC. If you ask me, the biggest problem right now is BC's penalty kill. Known for usually having the top PK in the country, BC's PK has been struggling since the start of December when they gave up a few vs the Terriers. The key to having a good penalty kill is having a goalie that can make some tough saves and usually Parker Milner does that but it certainly wasn't evident vs the Golden Gophers. Hopefully, everyone killing penalties tomorrow night snaps out of this funk and plays well.

While BC was having a rough time out in Minnesota last weekend, the Bulldogs didn't have much luck of their own back here in New England as they got stunned by Holy Cross on Saturday night. Besides that bad loss, Yale actually has some pretty quality wins over teams like Denver, Colorado College, and UMass so they certainly can't be taken for granted (especially in Johnny G's absence). So far this year, Yale ranks 5th in the ECAC with a 3-3-1 record in league and a 7-4-2 record overall. Leading the way for the Bulldogs so far this year is junior Kenny Agostiono who has currently racked up 7 goals and 10 assist. Also carrying the load up front, are seniors Andrew Miller (5-8-13) and Antoine Laganiere (9-7-16). In terms of team stats, Yale ranks 15th in the country in offense as they have averaged 3.15 goals per game and have allowed an average of 3 goals per game which ranks 45th in the nation. On special teams, the Yale power play ranks in the middle of the pack at 18th in the country scoring at about a 17% for the season. Their special teams and scoring are a bit above average but their team defense and goaltending, which has killed this team in the past, have not been great . They don't have a goalie that ranks in  the top 30, in either save percentage or in shutouts.

It certainly goes without saying that tomorrow night is going to show a ton about this Eagle team. Sunday was a disaster for everyone involved but hopefully the guys learned from it and can play well in front of a home crowd where they have not had a lose in over a year. I look for a game that is going to come down to the final 20 minutes and is going to be won with solid goaltending and special teams. I expect that Parker Milner will be back on his game and playing at a high level which should certainly help out the struggling penalty kill. One thing that I think would be a real positive for BC tomorrow would be scoring early. In games that they've won and played well in, the Eagles haven't just scored first but they've scored early and often. I think a tally in the first couple of minutes tomorrow night would go a long way in working towards a W.

Keys for the Eagles-

1. Not letting up a power play goal. I have been pretty disappointed in the play of the PK unit but I think tomorrow is an opportunity for some guys to redeem themselves. Need to win the battle of the special teams.

2. Getting off to a fast start. It didn't happen vs the Golden Gophers but it certainly needs to vs the Bulldogs. Getting a lead after the first period would be huge.

3. Everyone needs to give a better effort. If BC plays like they did on Sunday, a loss is probably imminent. I look for everyone from the bottom up to play at a higher level than they did last weekend.

Scouting Yale-

Key players- Kenny Agostiono, Antoine Laganiere, and Andrew Miller.

Best Wins- @ Denver, @ Colorado College, vs UMass.

Worst Losses- vs Holy Cross, vs RPI.

Pairwise Rank- 10

Injury Report- Macleod in, Alber out.

Go Eagles !

Why It's Not Time To Panic

Sunday night Boston College suffered one of the most embarrassing and lopsided losses in a long time as they suffered an 8-1 beat down at the hands of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. Let me start off by saying this. That Gopher squad is one of the best college hockey teams I have seen in a long time and I would absolutely shell shocked if they're not in Pittsburgh when it's all said and done. However, I am not going to sit here and say that BC could not beat that team if they were playing at full strength and were at a neutral site. If you look at the past few years, BC has actually had some pretty bad performances over Christmas break. Last year they fell to Michigan, the year before they won the Ledyard Bank Tournament but almost fell to Colgate, and the year before that they got killed by St .Lawrence and the University of Denver. No, I did not think BC was going to beat the Gophers on Sunday night but I definitely thought they would make some sort of a game out of it. They obviously did not and because of it, they head back to Chestnut Hill with lots of question marks but even in defeat, it's not time to panic and make lots of changes. Here's why.

First of all, the Eagles were without the best player in all of college hockey this weekend and it clearly hurt them. Johnny G adds something to this team that cannot go unnoticed and without him, it seemed to effect the play of all four lines, not just the first line. Even with Johnny G, I'm not sure the Eagles could beat that team in Minnesota but I do think they would have a chance at home or at a neutral site. I wouldn't count out seeing that team later on in the year. Secondly, having 5 freshman play against the most potent offense in the country was a complete disaster. As time goes on, I think you will see guys like Jeke and Sullivan improve and become more reliable but right now, they are still adjusting to the college game and if they don't adjust quickly, this team could be in big trouble. The best news is that BC will not have to face another team like that for the rest of the season (unless of course they meet in Pittsburgh). There is no team in Hockey East that can match the offensive talent and skill that the Gophers have but with a complete roster, I'm fairly certain that BC could give them a run for their money. This weekend, BC will take on ECAC foe Yale and will be at home for the first time in a month. To date, Boston College has not lost a home game since early December of last year when they fell to archrival Boston University. BC will not be able to get a victory this weekend if they don't do something about their totally inept penalty kill. Over the past couple of seasons, that unit has been one of, if not the best PK units in the country but over the past few games, it has got increasingly worse. The main reason the Eagles got blown out of the building on Sunday was because they took 8 penalties and were punished big time as the Gophers scored on 4 of those 8 man advantages. Sure, the penalties need to come way down but I must say I'm a bit surprised by how much the PK unit is struggling.

Look, Sunday was not what anyone was hoping for but maybe it will be a good wake up call for a lot of guys on this team. Every game is a big one but Friday is going to show us a lot about this Eagles squad. Baring an upset by  the Czech Republic tomorrow morning, the Eagles will most likely by without Johnny G once again. Yale is a good hockey team but they're no Minnesota and with BC being at home, they should be able to beat them even without their star forward. Hopefully a strong week of practice will lead to what would be a big time victory on Friday night.

Go Eagles.