Beanpot Preview -- BC, Semifinal

Still in awe of last night? Yeah… So am I, but its time to shift the focus from Super Bowl talk to Beanpot hype. Tonight, BU and BC once again face off on the first Monday in February at Boston Garden.

From The Vault
Jake Oettinger stuffs Colin White in the first period on a
onetimer in the meeting at Conte earlier this season.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

It is a rematch of last year’s epic 1-0 overtime thriller that saw Boston College’s Alex Tuch score the game’s only goal 1:57 into the extra session to give BC their 20th Beanpot title. BC still is a minimum of a decade away from tying BU’s total of 30.

The two teams have already met twice this year. BU swept the season series with the Eagles in mid-January with a 2-1 win at home and a 3-0 blanking at Conte. It was BU’s first weekend sweep of the Eagles since 2002.

Jake Oettinger and BU special teams were the stories of that weekend. Oettinger stopped 66 of 67 shots he faced and the Terrier power play went three for five. Also, BU's PK only allowed one power play goal on seven BC man advantages in two games.

Since the two teams last met, Boston College hasn’t lost another game. The Eagles ran through Umass, UConn, Notre Dame, and New Hampshire and currently find themselves in seventh in the PairWise.

Scouting the Eagles 
Matty Gaudreau continues to lead the scoring charge for the Eagles. In 29 games played, Gaudreau has posted six goals and 20 assists for 26 points. Right behind him is Colin White. White, one of the heroes on the US World Junior squad that won gold in Montreal a month ago, has notched 23 points by way of 13 goals and 10 assists. White scored BC’s only goal against BU this season, a power play goal midway through the second period of game one. Other players to watch include Austin Cangelosi, Chris Brown, Casey Fitzgerald and Ryan Fitzgerald.

Between the pipes, Joe Woll has continued his excellent freshman campaign. In 22 appearances, Woll has a 13-8-1 record with a 2.34 goal against average and a .923 save percentage.

Early Game
As is the norm when BU and BC play in the opening round, Northeastern and Harvard will take the ice at 5:00 for semifinal number one. NU has been playing better as of late, winning four of their last five games. Harvard on the other hand, has rebound nicely from three consecutive losses in mid-January and are unbeaten in their last five games played.

All in all, it should be a very competitive night of hockey. Unlike in years past, all four teams have a legitimate shot at winning this tournament.