BC Weekend

Yes 6:00 Friday night start times are dumb. Yes it's stupid that Hockey East scheduled this series when both teams are on break. Yes it sucks that Saturday's game conflicts with the Patriots playoffs. That all being said…  it is still BU-BC weekend, after all.

From The Vault
Charlie Coyle and Tommy Cross jaw after the whistle in a
December 2011 game at the Heights. BU won the game 5-3 

Tonight, the Terriers head down Comm Ave and reopen the Green Line rivalry for the 2016 season. Last year the two teams spilt the season series 1-1. BU won the opener in November at Conte and BC bounced back in January at Agganis.

Going off of that, BU is 5-3-0 at Conte since 2009. On the other hand, BC has only lost three times at Aggains (2006, 2009, 2013).

BC this year, is 14-4-2 and is currently ranked 4th in the nation, but haven't exactly played the strongest schedule. They are currently slotted 10th, one place behind BU in the PWR. According the KRACH rankings, Boston College has the 33rd hardest schedule in the country. BU has the 6th highest SOS ranking.

Impressive wins for the Eagles do include a 4-3 win at home, against then 5th ranked Denver. Last weekend BC took three of a possible four points from Providence. BC did win 11 games in a row from October 16 to November 28, but since December 10th, they are just  1-3-1.

Scouting the Eagles
Colin White, who a prominent member of the USA WJC team that won Bronze in Helsinki, is the offensive leader for the Eagles. In 18 games played, he has posted 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points. Ryan Fitzgerald, who always seems to score against BU, leads BC in goals with 12. He has also notched 14 assists. BC's "player's to watch list" is rather lengthy, but here are a few: Zach Sanford, Miles Wood (always good for a penalty or two), Alex Tuch and Steve Santini.

In goal, Thatcher Demko will reportedly be back in the lineup after missing the last two games due to injury. Demko has been strong, to say the least this season. In 18 games, he has a 1.72 goals against, a .936 save percentage and 6 shutouts. 

BU Notes

It would be shocking if Sean Maguire does not start in goal tonight. As for the rest of the lineup, it should be much like the UMass game.
  Other Links
This week I did a question and answer session with the guys over at BC Interruption in preparation for this weeks series. you can read that HERE.

I also was a guest on the Eastern Bias podcast talking all things BU. You can listen to that below (I come in at about minute 51. I was not part of all the cat talk, in the beginning…):

Unfortunately, I will not be at the Saturday game. I have tickets to the Patriots game.