Boston College Athletics
#2 Hockey Set To Face #1 Michigan State
December 27, 2000 | Men's Hockey
BC-Michigan State Game Notes in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Dec. 27, 2000
What: Boston College (12-3-1, 6-1-1) vs. Michigan State (12-1-4, 9-1-3) in the first round of the Great Lakes Invitational
Where: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Mich.
When: Friday, Dec. 29, 4:00 p.m. EST
Tonight's Game: Second-ranked Boston College comes off of an 18-day break to make its second-ever appearance in the Great Lakes Invitational. BC faces off against top-ranked Michigan State in the first round. This will be the second #1 vs. #2 matchup for the Eagles this season. On Oct. 27, second-ranked BC lost to top-ranked Wisconsin 3-2 at Kelley Rink. Game time is 4 p.m. EST. The Eagles' 12-3-1 record marks the best start since the 1988-89 team went 13-3 to start the season.
The Series: Tonight's meeting is the 21st between Boston College and Michigan State. The Spartans have the series edge, leading 14-5-1. BC has faced MSU in the Great Lakes Invitational once before, a 12-5 Michigan State first-round win on Dec. 27, 1973. BC is 1-2-1 in homes games against MSU, 3-7 at East Lansing, and 1-5 in neutral site games. The two teams have met eight times in NCAA postseason play, including the Eagles' 6-5 victory in the first round of last year's West Regional. BC is 2-6 in NCAA games against Michigan State.
Eagles' Road Record: Boston College has an 9-0-1 record away from home this season. Since the Eagles started playing home games on campus at McHugh Forum in 1958, no Boston College team had started the season without losing a game in its first 10 games away from home. The 1968-69 team came the closest, winning its first six road games. Boston College has given up only 1.5 goals per game in road contests (as opposed to 3.5 goals per game at home).
Coach York: Jerry York is in his seventh season as the Eagles' head coach. He heads into tonight's game as the sixth-winningest coach in NCAA history. With the Eagles' 6-1 win at UMass-Lowell on Saturday, Nov. 4, York joined an elite group of five other coaches who have 600 or more career victories. His career record stands at 605-439-54 (.580). His record at Boston College is 138-94-20 (.595). In HOCKEY EAST games York's teams are 80-57-15 (.584). He has led his team to the NCAA Tournament eight times, including three consecutive appearances by Boston College in the Frozen Four (1998-2000). His 1983-84 Bowling Green squad finished 34-8-2 and won the national championship.
Last Time Out for the Eagles: Boston College travelled to Orono, Maine, and defeated the Black Bears 7-2. BC scored twice in the first 6:43 on goals from Tony Voce and Mark McLennan, chasing Maine's starting goalie Mike Morrison from the game. The Eagles' went up 3-0 on Ales Dolinar's power-play goal at 3:42 of the second frame, but Maine would answer just 26 seconds later, when Black Bear's forward Kevin Clauson scored to cut the Eagles' lead to 3-1. BC pulled away in the third period, scoring four goals in the span of 4:27, with Jeff Giuliano, Rob Scuderi, Ben Eaves and Chuck Kobasew registering goals. Maine used three goaltenders in the game. BC's Scott Clemmensen turned away 14 Black Bear shots for the victory. The BC freshmen tallied eight of the Eagles' 15 points on three goals and five assists.
Last BC-Michigan State Meeting: The last meeting between BC and Michigan State came in the West Regionals of the 2000 NCAA Tournament in Minneapolis, Minn. Trailing 5-4 with time running out, BC pulled goalie Scott Clemmensen for an extra skater. At 19:10, the move paid off when Mike Lephart scored a 6-on-4 goal to send the game into overtime. Senior Jeff Farkas scored his second power-play goal of the night at 11:53 of overtime to give the Eagles a 6-5 victory. Six Eagles had multiple-point games. Each of BC's six goals came on special teams - five on the power play and one shorthanded. The Eagles outshot the Spartans 42-22.
Eagle Newcomers: This season's freshman class has been the class of HOCKEY EAST this season. Chuck Kobasew and Tony Voce combined to earn Rookie of the Week honors four consecutive weeks in November. It was a feat that had not been accomplished by one conference team since the 1992-93 season, when Maine had four straight Rookie of the Week honorees. So far this season the freshman class has accounted for 20 goals and 31 assists.
Gionta, Kobasew Earn HOCKEY EAST Accolades: Senior Brian Gionta earned Player of the Month honors, and freshman Chuck Kobasew was tabbed as the Rookie of the Month for November. The two players led BC to a 6-2 record. Gionta earned the third Player of the Month honor of his career on the strength of his performance against Merrimack in the Eagles' 7-2 win on Nov. 21. On a single play, Gionta scored his 100th career goal, tied a school record with his eighth career hat trick, and set a HOCKEY EAST record with the fastest two goals by one player in league history. Gionta tallied eight goals and three assists, scoring two short-handed goals and two power-play goals during the month. Kobasew has tallied a team-leading four game-winning goals, including a dramatic overtime goal at Harvard on Nov. 25. He also shares the team lead with four power-play goals. For the month the forward registered 10 points on five goals and five assists. He is the league's top freshman scorer.
Gionta, Kobasew are Fair Barometers of Eagles' Success This Season: As Brian Gionta and Chuck Kobasew go, so go the Eagles. Boston College was a perfect 6-0 in November games in which both Gionta and Kobasew scored at least one point. Conversely, the Eagles were 0-2 in games in which neither player registered a point. When taking into account Kobasew's numbers only, the Eagles are 11-0 when he scores, and 1-3-1 when he doesn't.
Fast Starts for the Eagles: Boston College has gotten off to fast starts in the majority of its games this season. The Eagles have scored in the first period in 13 of their 16 games, and have been the first team to score in 11 of those games. Twelve of BC's 23 first-period goals have been scored within the first nine minutes of the period, and three of those have been scored within the first 90 seconds. The Eagles have scored in the first 90 seconds of three of their last seven games.
Forrest Selected to U.S. National Junior Team, Will Compete in Russia: Freshman defenseman J. D. Forrest has been selected to the U. S. National Junior Team that will compete in the 2001 World Junior Hockey Championship in Moscow, Russia, from Dec. 26, 2000 - Jan. 5, 2001. Forrest will miss the Eagles' two games at the Great Lakes Invitational on Dec. 29-30, and is questionable for the two games against Boston University on Jan. 6-7.
Lephart, Allen Enjoy 6-on-5 Success: Boston College has pulled its goaltender and scored game-tying goals on five different occasions since the beginning of the 1999-2000 season. Senior assistant captains Mike Lephart and Bobby Allen have scored each of them. The Eagles ended up winning two of those games (including a 6-5 win over Michigan State in last year's NCAA West Regional), losing two, and tying one.
Boston College vs. the CCHA: Boston College is 34-37-2 all-time against CCHA teams. This season the Eagles are 3-0 against the conference's teams. BC took two games from Notre Dame (4-1 in the first round of the Maverick Stampede in Omaha, Neb. on Oct. 13, and 5-3 at Notre Dame on Nov. 10). BC also defeated Nebraska-Omaha 5-1 on Oct. 14 to capture the Omaha Cup as champions of the Maverick Stampede. In addition to playing Michigan State tonight, Boston College may meet Michigan in the second round of the GLI. BC is 5-15-1 all-time vs. the Spartans, and 2-8-0 against the Wolverines.
Two Eagles Near Games-Played Mark: Two current Eagles have an opportunity to finish their careers with at least 164 games played, surpassing Mike Mottau's all-time mark of 163 appearances. Current Games needed Player games played to reach 164 Rob Scuderi 142 22 Bobby Allen 140 24
Balanced Scoring Attack for Eagles: Through 16 games there are eight Eagles that have posted double-figure scoring totals. At least one player from each class has more than 10 points. Leading the Eagles' balanced attack is sophomore forward Krys Kolanos with 27 points. Second and third respectively are senior forwards Brian Gionta and Mike Lephart, each with 20 points. Freshman Chuck Kobasew leads all HOCKEY EAST freshmen in scoring with nine goals and eight assists for 17 points, and junior forward Jeff Giuliano has tallied 15 points on seven goals and eight assists. Senior forward Marty Hughes has scored one goal and 10 assists for 11 points. Junior forward Ales Dolinar and freshman forward Ben Eaves have each scored 10 points this season.
Eagles' Offensive/Defensive Rankings: Boston College ranks first in HOCKEY EAST play in goals scored. The Eagles have scored 42 goals in eight league games (5.25 gpg). Overall, BC ranks first among conference teams, having scored 70 goals in 16 games (4.38 gpg). Defensively, BC is first in HOCKEY EAST in goals allowed per game. The Eagles have given up only 36 goals in 16 games (2.25 GAPG).
BC Class of 2001: This season's senior class experienced more success in its first three seasons than any other Boston College class entering their final year with the exception of the BC class of 1988, which won 85 games (.702 win percentage) through its first three seasons. The class of 2001 won 84 games in its first three seasons (.705 win percentage) and appeared in the Frozen Four each year, playing for the title twice. The only other BC class to appear in three consecutive Frozen Fours was the 1948-50 Eagles, a team that won BC's sole national championship in 1949.
Eagles' Penalty Kill Tops in HOCKEY EAST: Boston College ranks first penalty killing in both HOCKEY EAST games and overall. In league games the Eagles have killed 46 of 49 of their opponents' power-play opportunities (.939), while overall BC is 98-108 on the PK (.907). Boston College has not allowed a power-play goal in four games (22 chances).
On the Radio: Tonight's game can be heard on WTKK 96.9 FM with Jon Rish calling the action and former Eagle standout Ken Hodge providing the color commentary. WTKK will broadcast all BC games for the remainder of the season except for the game vs. UMass-Lowell on Feb. 2, 2001. You can also listen to the game on the internet by logging on the official Boston College web site at www.bceagles.com.
Next Game: Boston College returns to action at the Great Lakes Invitational on Dec. 29-30 in Detroit, Mich. On Friday, Dec. 29 the third-ranked Eagles face off against current No. 1 Michigan State. Possible opponents for the championship/consolation round are current No. 4 Michigan and Michigan Tech.
Player Notes
2 - Bobby Allen (Sr., D) Assistant captain this season...sat out the Eagles' game at Maine on Dec. 10 after suffering a minor concussion at Northeastern on Dec. 6...leads all BC defensemen in scoring with nine points...valuable member of the Eagles' power play, scoring three power-play goals this season...named to Maverick Stampede All-Tournament team...four points short of the 100-point mark...second on the team in career games played with 140 (Scuderi 142).
4 - Brooks Orpik (Jr., D) Assisted on Chuck Kobasew's game-winning overtime goal at Harvard on Nov. 25...in BC's 7-2 victory against Merrimack, moved into sole possession of 5th place on BC's all-time penalty minutes leader board with 236, passing former teammate Mike Mottau (232)...leads team with 48 penalty minutes this season... returned to action against Merrimack on Friday, Nov. 17, after sitting out the previous three games with a quadricep contusion of his left leg suffered against Northeastern on Nov. 3...has tallied five assists on the season.
5 - Bill Cass (So., D) Had successful arthroscopic surgery on right knee on Dec. 5 after suffered a lateral meniscus tear in practice on Nov. 24...will miss the next three to four weeks...has played in 13 of the Eagles' 16 games, tallying three assists.
6 - Marty Hughes (Sr., F) Sixth on the team in scoring with 11 points (one goal, 10 assists)...played both offensive and defensive positions against Yale on Nov. 7...fourth on the team in career scoring with 62 points.
7 - Rob Scuderi (Sr., D) Scored two goals and four assists this season...leads team in career games played with 142...on pace to break the career games played mark at BC of 164...both goals scored came in road victories (6-1 win at Merrimack on Nov. 17, 7-2 win at Maine on Dec. 10)...Eagles are 6-0 when Scuderi scores.
10 - Jeff Giuliano (Jr., F) Fifth on this year's squad in scoring with 15 points (seven goals, eight assists)...tied for seventh on HOCKEY EAST's conference scoring list with 10 points on three goals and seven assists... registered two assists vs. Merrimack on Nov. 21 and at Merrimack on Nov. 17...has five multiple-point games...holds the Eagles' longest point-scoring streak, having scored at least one point in six straight games (Oct. 29 - Nov. 17)...has scored in 10 of the Eagles' 16 games...tallied two goals in BC's first game of the season, a 4-1 win against Notre Dame.
11 - Krys Kolanos (So., F) Has multiple-point games in five of the last eight games he has played...leads the team in scoring with 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists)...on a career point-per-game pace with 60 points in 57 career games...leads HOCKEY EAST in scoring both in conference games and overall...has scored in 12 of the 15 games in which he has played, including eight multiple-point efforts (leads team)...has three multiple-goal games, most recently on Nov. 17 at Merrimack...had a five-point game against UMass-Amherst on Oct. 29 (two goals, three assists)...had a four-assist game vs. Merrimack on Nov. 21, the first of his career...tied for the team lead with four power-play goals...named to Maverick Stampede All-Tournament team...earned HOCKEY EAST Offensive Player of the Week honors (10/30).
12 - Brian Gionta (Sr., F) Eagle captain this season...reached the 100-goal plateau with a hat trick against Merrimack on Nov. 21...scored two goals in 10 seconds in the third period of the Eagles' 7-2 win over Merrimack on Nov. 21 to break the HOCKEY EAST record for the fastest two goals by one player...moved into a tie for fourth place on BC's career scoring list with 198 points (Richie Smith, 1972-76)...fourth on the Eagles' career goals list with 100...tied for second on the team in scoring with 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists)... currently tied for fourth in the league overall scoring and tied for third in scoring in league games...has scored in 11 of 16 games...has six multiple-point games...has scored three of the team's four short-handed goals.
13 - Tony Voce (Fr., F) Second among freshman goal-scorers with six goals...notched his first collegiate short-handed goal at Maine on Dec. 10...scored one goal and one assist at Maine on Dec. 10...tallied one goal and one assist at Merrimack on Nov. 17...scored two goals in two minutes in the Eagles' 5-3 win at Notre Dame on Nov. 10...earned HOCKEY EAST Rookie of the Week nods for two consecutive weeks (weeks ending Nov. 20 and Nov. 13)...scored BC's only goal in a 4-1 loss to New Hampshire on Nov. 18.
15 - Ales Dolinar (Jr., F) Part of a line that registered 10 points against Northeastern on Nov. 3...recorded a career-high four assists in BC's 6-3 win over NU...scored a power-play goal at Maine on Dec. 10...tallied single goals in the Eagles' first win over Notre Dame on Oct. 13, against Denver on Oct. 20 and Wisconsin on Oct. 27...registered one assist at Merrimack on Nov. 17, and vs. New Hampshire on Nov. 18.
17 - A. J. Walker Will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a right ankle sprain...scored one goal in BC's 3-2 win at Denver on Oct. 21.
19 - Chuck Kobasew (Fr., F) Captured HOCKEY EAST Rookie of the Month honors for November...leads all HOCKEY EAST freshmen in scoring with 17 points (nine goals, eight assists)...tallied the game-winning overtime goal at Harvard on Nov. 25...scored two goals in the Eagles' 7-2 win over Merrimack on Nov. 21...leads team with four game-winning goals...tied for team lead with four power-play goals...twice earned HOCKEY EAST Co-Rookie of the Week honors (Nov. 6, Nov. 27) ......third in HOCKEY EAST in scoring in conference games and tied for ninth overall...had two points (one goal, one assist) at Maine on Dec. 10...had four points (two goals, two assists) in the Eagles' 6-1 win at UMass-Lowell on Nov. 4.
22 - Ben Eaves (Fr., F) Started the season strong with a three-assist effort in BC's 4-1 win over Notre Dame on Oct. 13...had one goal and one assist in the Eagles' 9-5 victory over UMass-Amherst on Oct. 29...missed three games because of back spasms (Nov. 3 - Nov 7).
23 - J. D. Forrest (Fr., D) Will miss the Eagles' two games at the GLI as he competes with the U. S. National Junior Team in the World Junior Hockey Championship in Moscow, Russia from Dec. 26 - Jan 5...has six points (two goals, four assists)...scored one goal vs. Merrimack on Nov. 21...tallied one goal and two assists in BC's 9-5 win over UMass-Amherst on Oct. 29...missed two games (Nov. 4 - Nov. 7) because of a separated left shoulder suffered against Northeastern on Nov. 3.
27 - Mike Lephart (Sr., F) Assistant captain this season...reached the 100-career point mark with a two-assist game in the Eagles' 5-3 win at Notre Dame on Nov. 10...tallied two goals, including the game-tying goal with 42 seconds remaining in regulation, in a 3-2 overtime win at Harvard on Nov. 25...scored one goal and two assists vs. Merrimack on Nov. 21...third on the team in scoring with 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists)...has two power-play goals...has six multiple-point games...scored three points (two goals, one assist) in BC's 6-3 win over Northeastern on Nov. 3...part of a line that registered 10 points against NU on Nov. 3...named to Maverick Stampede All-Tournament team.
30 - Scott Clemmensen (Sr., G) Recorded his 11th career shutout at Northeastern on Dec. 6, extending his school record...leads HOCKEY EAST goaltenders with a 1.45 GAA in HOCKEY EAST games only...second overall in HOCKEY EAST with a 1.54 GAA in all games...HOCKEY EAST Goaltender of the Month for October... HOCKEY EAST Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 16)...moved into fourth place on BC's all-time saves list vs. New Hampshire on Nov. 18, passing David Littman, who had 2,548 saves from 1985-89...named Maverick Stampede Tournament MVP after he won games against Notre Dame on Oct. 13, and Nebraska-Omaha on Oct. 14 as the Eagles claimed the championship...captured HOCKEY EAST's 1999-2000 Heaton Goaltending Award for the lowest goals against average in league play (1.98).
