Boston College Matchup

Saturday's regional semifinal in Worcester, Massachusetts features two programs who are separated by many miles, but in many ways mirror each other. Boston College stands as the most hated team on the east coast while Minnesota is the most hated team in the west. Both the Gophers and Eagles often feature high profile players, and the success and exposure that each team receives is what breeds much of the hate and envy from other fans. In most years this would be a wide open affair as both teams play an offensive minded game that emphasizes wide open play. This year looks to be a different type of game. Minnesota is short on offensive talent and depth, therefore relying on a tight-checking, defensive game combined with strong goaltending to carry them. Despite a contrast in styles this season, the matchup arguably stands as the most intriguing first round game in the field.

Boston College (Hockey East)

The Eagles: Boston College has been a dominant playoff team this decade, a run that includes a 2001 National Championship along with 2006 and 2007 runner-up finishes. Veteran Head Coach Jerry York is notorious for getting his team's to play their best at the right time and this year is no different. A preseason favorite, the Eagles slumped a bit early in the year, dropping their season opener to the Michigan Wolverines en route to an underwhelming first half. The slow start led the Eagles to an uncharacteristically low 4th place finish in Hockey East, the first time since 2001-2002 they had finished lower than 3rd. They picked up their game in March, posting a 5-1-1 record and capping it off with a Hockey East championship, a tourney that included overcoming a 3-goal deficit to regular season champion New Hampshire in a triple overtime thriller. A strong finish propelled them to a #2 seed and they get a chance to stay close to home and remain in their home state for the regional.

Key Players: Offensively, BC is led by Hobey Baker finalist Nate Gerbe. Gerbe has been a scoring machine since arriving on campus at Chestnut Hill in 2005, amassing 122 points in 3 seasons. He is complimented by Joe Whitney who leads the nation in assists with 39. The Eagles have plenty of offensive firepower but lack size up front. Five of their forwards are 5'8 or shorter and all check-in the 150-160 pound range. They possess tremendous quickness and agility, but a bigger team that plays a physical game may be able to wear them down. Goaltending was a huge question mark heading into 2007-2008. All-American Corey Schneider had signed with the Canucks and the job was going to be handed over to a freshman, either John Muse or Andrew Margolin. Muse took the job out of the gate and never looked back. He has started every game for the Eagles this year and posted solid numbers across the board: 21-11-8 record, 2.26 GAA, .919 save %. His steady play has been a key to BC's season and gives them a very balanced and dangerous squad.

To Beat Minnesota: Boston College needs to use their speedy, skilled forwards to take advantage of the young Gophers defenseman. They also need to figure out Minnesota's last line of defense, goaltender Alex Kangas, who is in the midst of a phenomenal playoff run in which he has not allowed more than 2 goals in any game. If the Eagles are firing on all cylinders offensively, they should be able to handle a low-scoring Gophers team and advance to the regional final.


Minnesota (WCHA)

The Gophers: It was a less than stellar regular season for the Gophers. They finished seventh in the WCHA, their lowest finish since the 1970's. They also suffered bad losses to Alaska-Anchorage and RIT and blew numerous third period leads. But a run to the Final Five title game along with big wins over Michigan, North Dakota, and Colorado College helped put the Gophers comfortably into the 16 team field. Head Coach Don Lucia is no stranger to the NCAA's, having led Colorado College to the tourney numerous times before arriving at Minnesota. Despite having struggled in the regular season, they Gophers are a team that nobody wants to play in the playoffs as they are riding a hot goaltender and have a coach who owns two national titles.

Key Players: Freshman goaltender Alex Kangas has seemingly saved Minnesota's season. His 12-9-9 record is mediocre, but his 1.92 GAA and .932 save percentage are both team records. He took over for a struggling Jeff Frazee in January and has been one of the nation's better goaltenders ever since. He has been helped by improved play from the defenseman in front of him. With three freshman on the blueline, there were bound to be some growing pains, but Cade Fairchild, Stu Bickel, and Kevin Wehrs have grown up as the year has gone on and provided steady play in the second half of the year. Blake Wheeler (15-19-34) has paced a weak Gopher offense. Two freshman, Mike Hoeffel (9-10-19) and Patrick White (6-4-10) have really picked up their games in recent weeks and are keys if the Gopher offense is going to get off the ground in the tournament.

To Beat Boston College: For the Gophers to beat Boston College in Massachusetts they are going to have to continue to play a blue-collar game. Some of the team's bigger players, such as Stu Bickel (6'3, 205) Blake Wheeler (6'4, 215) and Ryan Flynn (6'2, 215) are going to have to take the body on BC's smallish forwards to create some space for their teammates. They are going to have to get traffic in front of Muse and score some ugly goals. Kangas can steal a game, but getting a few goals in front of him early would aid a Gopher team that has played one goal games in its last seven contests.