Boston College Athletics
Hockey Faces Friars In Midweek Match-Up
November 12, 2001 | Men's Hockey
Nov. 12, 2001
BOSTON COLLEGE (4-4-1, 1-2-0 HEA)
vs.
PROVIDENCE (4-5-0, 3-3-0 HEA)
Wednesday, November 14
Kelley Rink, Conte Forum
Chestnut Hill, Mass.
7 p.m.
Boston College-Providence Game Notes (Updated Nov. 13) in PDF Format
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WEDNESDAY'S GAME
Boston College enters Wednesday's game with a 4-4-1 overall record and an 1-2-0 mark in HOCKEY EAST games. The Eagles are coming off a 6-4 victory over Merrimack on Thursday, Nov. 8, that gave the team its first league victory of the season.
A trio of sophomores leads the Eagles in scoring. Tony Voce is the team's leading scorer with eight goals and seven assists for 15 points following his three-goal, one assist effort against Merrimack. Ben Eaves follows with 13 points on four goals and nine assists, while J.D. Forrest is third with three goals and seven assists.
Providence comes to Chestnut Hill with a 4-5-0 overall record (3-3-0 HOCKEY EAST) after splitting its weekend series with UMass-Lowell.
AGAINST THE FRIARS
Boston College and Providence have met 127 times - the third highest total for the Eagles against an opponent - with BC leading the series, 81-39-7. There have been 12 shutouts in the series - 10 by the Eagles and two by the Friars. Last season, Boston College won three of the four meetings between the two schools, including a 5-3 victory in the finals of the HOCKEY EAST Tournament on March 17.
The Eagles won the first two meetings last season - 4-0 on Jan. 19 and 4-2 on Jan. 20 - before falling in the third, 5-3, on Feb. 9.
Senior Jeff Giuliano leads all Eagles in scoring against the Friars, netting seven points (two goals and five assists) in 10 games. Classmate Ales Dolinar follows with five points on two goals and three assists in 10 games. Sophomore Tony Voce scored two goals and two assists for four points in four games last year.
LAST TIME AGAINST PROVIDENCE
Boston College won its third HOCKEY EAST Tournament title in four years as Tony Voce scored two goals in the Eagles' 5-3 victory over the Friars in the tournament's championship game on March 17, 2001 at the FleetCenter. Voce's second goal proved to be the game-winner, his third of the tournament.
After Providence scored the first goal of the game, BC netted three goals to close the first period. Mike Lephart recorded a shorthanded tally, followed by goals by Voce and Krys Kolanos.
Voce added his second goal - on the power play - to give the Eagles a 4-1 lead early in the second period, but Providence scored two goals to close within one goal with a period left to play.
Brian Gionta netted an insurance goal midway through the third period as Scott Clemmensen made 12 saves in the win. BC outshot the Friars 47-15 on the night.
LAST TIME OUT
Boston College earned its first HOCKEY EAST win of the season with its 6-4 victory over Merrimack on Nov. 8 at Kelley Rink. Tony Voce netted his second hat trick of the season, and added one assist, to lead BC to the win. J.D. Forrest added one goal and two assists, while Ben Eaves collected three assists.
The Eagles jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one period on goals by Ned Havern and Forrest. The two teams alternated scores in the second period, with the Eagles leading 3-2 after the second stanza. Merrimack's Anthony Aquino netted both of the Warriors' goals in the period, while Voce added a shorthanded goal for BC.
A.J. Walker scored the first of BC's three goals to open the third period, before Voce knocked in a power-play score and a second shorthanded tally to close the scoring for the Eagles. Merrimack's Ryan Cordeiro scored two late goals to bring the final score to 6-4.
WHO'S HOT
Sophomore J.D. Forrest has two goals and three assists (for five points) in the last three games ... sophomore Ben Eaves has registered six points (two goals, four assists) in his four games since returning from an injury ... freshman Dave Spina has scored six points in the last six games, including two multiple-point efforts ... the freshmen and sophomores scored 15 of the Eagles' 17 points against Merrimack on Nov. 8.
YOUNGSTERS LEADING THE CHARGE
The sophomore class has accounted for 47.1 percent of the Eagles scoring this season (15 goals and 25 assists for 40 points). When adding the freshman class' production to the total (eight goals and 16 assists for 24 points), the two classes have scored 75.3 percent of the team's points (23 goals and 41 assists for 64 points).
SENIORS HEATING UP
Although the Boston College senior class consists of only two players - forwards Jeff Giuliano and Ales Dolinar - the pair has been getting hot in the last five games. The duo has combined for nine points on four goals and five assists.
DEFENSEMEN STEPPING UP OFFENSIVELY
The Boston College defensive corps has scored 19 points - on four goals and 15 assists - in nine games, nearly a quarter of the team's scoring. Sophomore J.D. Forrest leads the group with 10 points on three goals and seven assists, while junior Bill Cass follows with three points on one goal - a shorthanded tally - and two assists. Freshman Andrew Alberts has collected three assists, while sophomore Joe Schuman, junior goaltender Tim Kelleher and freshman John Adams have each added one assist.
FOUR IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
Since Nov. 30, 1999, Boston College is 44-0-2 when scoring four or more goals. In 2000-01, the Eagles were a perfect 24-0-0 when scoring four or more goals and are 3-0-1 this season when reaching the four-goal mark.
WALKER FINDS POWER-PLAY SUCCESS
Junior forward A.J. Walker has notched four points - two goals and two assists - this season and three of his points have come on the power play, including both goals. In the opening game of the season against Vermont, Walker potted one goal with an extra skater and added two assists, one on the power play. In the Eagles' last game, he struck again on the power play, scoring in the second period.
In just nine games this season, Walker has already doubled his previous career scoring numbers of two goals headed into the 2001-02 campaign.
APPROACHING THE CENTURY MARK
Senior Jeff Giuliano is 17 points shy of becoming the 58th Boston College player to reach 100 points for his career. So far this season, he's scored eight points (four goals and four assists) in nine games.
POWER-PLAY SPARK
Sophomore Tony Voce has scored power-play goals in each of the Eagles' last two contests. He leads the club with four power-play goals, followed by Ben Eaves, Dave Spina and A.J. Walker with two apiece. Jeff Giuliano and J.D. Forrest have also scored on the power play.
SPECIAL TEAMS SNIPER
While sophomore Tony Voce leads the club in power-play goals, he has also logged two goals shorthanded, as well as 4x4 and 5x3 goals this season. His shorthanded goals, which he scored against Merrimack on Nov. 8, were the first of his career. Overall, he leads the team in special teams scoring with 12 points (4-5-9 on the power play, 2-0-2 shorthanded and 1-0-1 in 4x4 situations).
SHOOTING THE LIGHTS OUT
Boston College has outshot its opponents in seven of nine games this season. For the season, the Eagles have averaged 33.8 shots on net per game to their opponents' 23.1 per game. In total, BC has outshot its opponents 305-208, but only outscored its opponents 32-31.
HAPPY TO BE HOME
The Eagles have played nine games this season, but only three have been at home. Now, Boston College has returned home to Kelley Rink and is in the midst of a four-game homestand.
JOINING A NEW LEAGUE?
In its nine games this season, Boston College has played four games against Western Collegiate Hockey Association members: Denver, Alaska-Anchorage and Wisconsin twice. At the same time, the Eagles have only played three members from its own conference: UMass-Lowell, Merrimack and Northeastern.
EVERYDAY PLAYER
Senior forward Jeff Giuliano has played in all 137 of BC's games since his arrival at the Heights in the fall of 1998. He has recorded 33 goals and 54 assists for 87 points. This season, he also leads the team and HOCKEY EAST with a plus-9 rating on the ice and is fourth in scoring with eight points.
LIGHTNING STRIKES EARLY
Twice this season, Boston College has lit the lamp before the first minute of the game had elapsed. In the opening game of the year against Vermont, Ben Eaves scored a power-play goal 45 seconds into the game. In BC's game against Northeastern, Ryan Shannon struck 30 seconds into the game with an even-strength goal ... Jeff Giuliano scored 43 seconds into the third period against Alaska-Anchorage to give BC three goals this season within one minute of leaving the dressing room.
LEAGUE HONOREES
Freshman goaltender Matti Kaltiainen earned HOCKEY EAST Rookie of the Week honors on Nov. 5 for his 33-save effort against Wisconsin on Nov. 3. The Espoo, Finland native made 10 saves in the first period, nine in the second and 14 in the third to preserve the lead for the road victory ... earlier this season, sophomore forward Tony Voce was honored as the HOCKEY EAST Player of the Week for his five-point (three goal, two assist) performance at Vermont.
KALTIAINEN SEES SUCCESS
Freshman goaltender Matti Kaltiainen, a native of Espoo, Finland, played the 2000-01 season for the Espoo Blues of the Finnish Junior League. Kaltiainen made his Eagle debut on Oct. 12 against Denver in the first round of the Nye Frontier Classic, then earned his first collegiate win at Wisconsin on Nov. 3.
KELLEHER DEBUTS AS OPENING NIGHT STARTER
For the first time in four seasons, Boston College had a new starter in goal on opening night. Junior Tim Kelleher started in net against Vermont on Oct. 6, marking the first goaltender in four years other than Scott Clemmensen - who graduated in 2001 - to start an opening night game for BC. Ironically, Clemmensen, who signed with the New Jersey Devils after he graduated, made his NHL debut that same night, entering in the third period of the Devils' 6-1 loss to Washington.
EAGLES GET THEIR WINGS
All seven freshman who have seen regular action for the Eagles have made their marks on the BC statistics. Forwards Dave Spina and Ryan Shannon recorded their first career goals at the Nye Frontier Classic, while goaltender Matti Kaltiainen made his first career start in the tournament against Denver. Defenseman Andrew Alberts recorded his first assist against UMass-Lowell on Oct. 19. Forward Ryan Murphy scored a goal against Wisconsin on Nov. 3, while forward Ned Havern assisted on the score. On Nov. 8 against Merrimack, John Adams recorded an assist for his first collegiate point.
ALL-TOURNAMENT ACCOLADES
Sophomore forward Ben Eaves and sophomore defenseman J.D. Forrest were both selected to the Nye Frontier Classic All-Tournament Team for their performances against Denver and Alaska-Anchorage. Eaves was tied for the tournament's third-leading scorer, with one goal and two assists and was an active part of the Eagles' power-play unit that went 4-for-11 in the tournament. Forrest, also a member of both the power-play and penalty-kill units, logged nearly half a game on the ice in each of the two games. He also recorded one goal and two assists in the tournament.
EAGLE NEWCOMERS
Boston College's roster features 10 new players this season: two goaltenders (Matti Kaltiainen and Robbie Miller), four defensemen (John Adams, Andrew Alberts, Taylor Leahy and Ben McManama) and four forwards (Ned Havern, Ryan Murphy, Ryan Shannon and Dave Spina).
OFF-SEASON COMINGS AND GOINGS
Over the summer, three Boston College players opted to forgo their remaining collegiate eligibility and pursue professional careers. Senior defenseman Brooks Orpik signed a professional contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, while sophomore forward Chuck Kobasew left the Eagles to play in the Western Hockey League. Junior forward Krys Kolanos also decided to pursue professional hockey, joining the Phoenix Coyotes' organization. All three players were first-round draft picks in the NHL Entry Draft.
The Eagles also gained back a player as junior Anthony D'Arpino rejoined the team after playing the latter half of the 2000-01 season with Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League.
CONSISTENCY BREEDS SUCCESS
The Boston College coaching staff is in its seventh season working together, guiding the Eagles. Head coach Jerry York arrived at the Heights before the 1994-95 season and brought associate head coach Scott Paluch with him from Bowling Green. That season marked associate head coach Jim Logue's second with the team. A year later, assistant coach Mike Cavanaugh joined the staff.
Since the 1997-98 season, Boston College has recorded a 121-45-13 mark (.712 winning percentage). The Eagles won three HOCKEY EAST Tournaments over that span and were the 2001 national champions.
THE HEAD COACH - JERRY YORK
Head coach Jerry York is in his eighth season at the Heights and this 30th overall as a head coach. He has compiled a 163-103-22 mark (.604 winning percentage) at Boston College and a 630-438-56 (.585 winning percentage) in his career. A 1967 first team All-American for the Eagles, York came to the Heights in 1994 and has returned the program to its elite status. He is one of only two collegiate coaches to lead two different teams to NCAA titles and is the sixth coach to earn 600 career wins. York is currently sixth on the all-time win list.
York began his coaching career at Boston College as a graduate assistant to John "Snooks" Kelley, then was an assistant coach for one season. He then moved to Clarkson to serve as Len Ceglaski's assistant in 1970, before assuming head coaching duties in 1972 when Ceglarski returned to BC. In 1979, York became the head coach at Bowling Green, leading the Falcons to the 1984 national championship.
YORK REWARDED
This summer, head coach Jerry York signed a new, five-year contract that runs through the 2005-06 season. Sixth on the college hockey career wins list, York has led the Eagles to the last four Frozen Fours, culminating in a national championship in 2001. He has also won three HOCKEY EAST Tournament titles and coached 11 All-American selections since arriving back at the Heights.
FAMILIAR FACES STAYING TOGETHER
The Eagles' roster boasts six sets of teammates who played together in high school, as well as at the Heights. Senior assistant captain Ales Dolinar and sophomore Tony Voce were teammates at Lawrence Academy (Mass.). Freshmen Ryan Shannon and Taylor Leahy both came to BC from Taft (Conn.). Sophomore Joe Schuman and freshmen Andrew Alberts both played defense at Benilde-St. Margaret's in Minnesota. Junior A.J. Walker and sophomore Ben Eaves were also linemates at Shattuck St. Mary's (Minn.) before re-teaming at the Heights. Sophomore Justin Dziama and freshman Ben McManama played alongside each other at Noble & Greenough (Mass.). And, while not a high school team, four players were members of the United States National Development Program teams: junior Bill Cass, sophomore J.D. Forrest, and freshmen Ryan Murphy and Dave Spina.
SUMMER IN LAKE PLACID
Three Boston College players participated in the USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y. from August 3-6. Sophomore Ben Eaves and freshmen Ryan Murphy and Dave Spina attended the camp from which the U.S. junior national team will be chosen.
Eaves and Murphy also played with Team USA at the USA Hockey Summer Challenge, Aug. 7-12 in Lake Placid, and are still under consideration for the U.S. Junior National Team that will compete in the 2002 IIHF World Junior Championships to be held in the Czech Republic, Dec. 25-Jan. 4.
UP NEXT
Boston College will host Boston University in a HOCKEY EAST match-up on Saturday, November 17 in a 7 p.m. contest at Kelley Rink.
ON THE AIR
Wednesday's contest between Boston College and Providence can be heard on WTKK 96.9 FM tape delayed at 10 p.m. A live broadcast of the game can be accessed at www.bceagles.com with play-by-play by Jon Rish and Ken Hodge providing color. BC's student radio station, WZBC 90.3 FM, will also air a live broadcast of the game.
