Boston College Athletics
Hockey Faces Harvard On Friday
November 21, 2001 | Men's Hockey
Nov. 21, 2001
BOSTON COLLEGE (6-4-1, 3-2-1 HEA)
vs.
HARVARD (3-3-1, 3-2-1 ECAC)
Friday, November 23
Kelley Rink (7,884)
7 p.m.
Boston College-Harvard Game Notes in PDF Format
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FRIDAY'S GAME
Boston College enters Friday's game with a 6-4-1 overall record and a 3-2-0 mark in HOCKEY EAST games. The Eagles have a season-best four-game winning streak. In its last action, the team defeated fourth-ranked Boston University, 3-1, on Saturday, Nov. 17 behind a two-goal, one-assist effort from sophomore Ben Eaves.
A trio of sophomores leads the Eagles in scoring. Eaves and Tony Voce share the team's lead in scoring with 18 points apiece. Eaves has scored seven goals and added 11 assists in nine games. Voce has netted eight goals and added 10 assists in 11 games. Defenseman J.D. Forrest is third with four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 11 games.
Harvard enters the game with a 3-3-1 record overall and 3-2-1 in the ECAC. In its last game, the Crimson lost to Boston University, 8-4, at home on Tuesday, Nov. 20.
AGAINST THE CRIMSON
Boston College and Harvard have met 102 times with the Eagles holding the series advantage, 57-41-4. BC has won the last four meetings between the two schools dating back to the 1998-99 season.
The schools met twice during the 2000-01 season. The Eagles won the first meeting on Nov. 25 when Chuck Kobasew netted the game-winning goal in overtime at the Bright Center. Mike Lephart also had two goals in that game. In the second meeting, the Eagles tipped the Crimson, 4-1, in the first round of the Beanpot on Feb. 5 at the FleetCenter. Brian Gionta had one goal and two assists to lead BC.
Sophomore Ben Eaves is the Eagles' leading scorer against Harvard with three points on three assists. Senior Ales Dolinar has recorded two goals, while sophomore Tony Voce (one goal), senior Jeff Giuliano (one assist) and sophomore Ty Hennes (one assist) each have recorded one point.
LAST TIME AGAINST HARVARD
Boston College took a 4-0 lead in the fourth period on Tony Voce's goal en route to its 4-1 victory over Harvard in the first round of the Beanpot on Feb. 5, 2001 at the FleetCenter. The Eagles used goals by Brian Gionta and Chuck Kobasew to take a 2-0 lead after one period. BC added to its lead 47 seconds into the third period on a Marty Hughes power-play goal. Voce extended the Eagle lead to 4-0 before Harvard scored a goal midway through the third period. Scott Clemmensen made 19 saves in the win as the Eagles outshot Harvard 30-20 on the evening. The Eagles went 2-for-5 on the power play.
LAST TIME OUT
Sophomore Ben Eaves netted two goals and added one assist as Boston College defeated fourth-ranked Boston University, 3-1, on Saturday, Nov. 17. BC carried a 1-0 lead into the third period before Eaves netted his second goal of the night on a power play 56 seconds into the third period. BU came back 48 seconds later on a Jack Baker goal, but A.J. Walker scored the insurance goal at 7:07 of the final stanza to lead BC to the win. Tony Voce added two assists in the win. Matti Kaltiainen made 23 saves in the win as BC handed the Terriers their first loss of the season.
WHO'S HOT
The sophomore trio of Ben Eaves, J.D. Forrest and Tony Voce has combined to score 24 points during the Eagles' four-game win streak. Eaves has recorded 10 points - four goals and six assists - over the span. Voce has netted four goals and four assists for eight points, while Forrest has scored two goals and four assists for six points ... freshmen netminder Matti Kaltiainen has won his last three starts and averaged 1.00 goals against in each of his last three games. He has a .961save percentage in those games.
STREAKING AS A TEAM
Boston College has skated to four straight wins, the longest winning streak of the 2001-02 season. The streak began with the Eagles' road win over Wisconsin (3-1) and has continued with the team's home victories over Merrimack (6-4), Providence (4-1) and Boston University (3-1).
STREAKING AS INDIVIDUALS
Five Eagles currently have scoring streaks in tact ... sophomore defenseman J.D. Forrest has recorded points in each of the last five games, scoring three goals and adding four assists for seven points ...sophomores Ben Eaves (4-6-10) and Tony Voce (4-4-8) both have four-game scoring streaks in place ... junior A.J. Walker has scored in three games in a row (2-1-3) ... freshman Dave Spina has notched one assist in each of the last two games.
LEAGUE HONOREES
Ben Eaves is the latest Eagle to be honored by HOCKEY EAST this season. The sophomore forward was selected as the league's Player of the Week on Nov. 19 for his five-point combined performance against Providence and Boston University. Eaves netted one goal and one assist against the Friars on Nov. 14, before scoring two goals and assisting on the team's final goal in the Eagles' 3-1 win over the Terriers on Nov. 17 ... earlier this season sophomore Tony Voce was named HOCKEY EAST Player of the Week on Oct. 8 for his five-point (three goal, two assist) effort at Vermont ... freshman Matti Kaltiainen was chosen as the HOCKEY EAST Rookie of the Week on Nov. 5 for his 33-save performance and first collegiate win at Wisconsin.
NATIONAL HONORS
In addition to his league honors, sophomore Ben Eaves was also named the U.S. College Hockey Online Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts against Providence and Boston University.
YOUNGSTERS LEADING THE CHARGE
The sophomore class has accounted for 47.2 percent of the Eagles scoring this season (19 goals and 31 assists for 50 points). When adding the freshman class' production to the total (nine goals and 21 assists for 30 points), the two classes have scored 75.5 percent of the team's points (28 goals and 52 assists for 80 points).
DEFENSE STEPPING UP OFFENSIVELY
The Boston College defensive corps has scored 22 points - on five goals and 17 assists - in 11 games. Sophomore J.D. Forrest leads the group with 12 points on four goals and eight assists, while freshman Andrew Alberts has collected four assists. Junior Bill Cass follows with three points on one goal - a shorthanded tally - and two assists, while sophomore Joe Schuman, junior goaltender Tim Kelleher and freshman John Adams have each added one assist ... Forrest is the second-leading scorer among defensemen in HOCKEY EAST, behind Northeastern's Jim Fahey.
FOUR IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
Since Nov. 30, 1999, Boston College is 45-0-2 when scoring four or more goals. The Eagles are 4-0-1 this season when reaching the four-goal mark after compiling a perfect 24-0-0 record last season when reaching the four-goal mark.
ONE GOAL IS KEY
This season, five of Boston College's six wins have come when the defense has held the opposition to one goal. BC has defeated Vermont 5-1, Notre Dame 4-1, Wisconsin 3-1, Providence 4-1 and Boston University 3-1.
MULTIPLE-POINT NORM
Sophomore Ben Eaves has recorded multiple-point efforts in six of the nine games he has played this season, including each of the last four games. He collected a season-high four points (one goal and three assists) in the team's opening game of the season and has two games with three points ... He is third in the country among Division I players with his 2.00 points per game average.
WALKER ENJOYING RENEWED SUCCESS
Junior forward A.J. Walker has notched six points - three goals and three assists - this season. Three of his points have come on the power play, including two 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 scored in the third period against Boston University on Nov. 17.
In just 11 games this season, Walker has already tripled his previous career scoring numbers of two goals headed into the 2001-02 campaign. Coincidentally, Walker has scored all but one of his points when he has been on the ice with Ben Eaves. Walker and Eaves were also linemates at Shattuck St. Mary's in Faribault, Minn. in 1998-99.
APPROACHING THE CENTURY MARK
Senior Jeff Giuliano is 16 points shy of becoming the 58th Boston College player to reach 100 points for his career. So far this season, he's scored nine points (four goals and five assists) in 11 games.
SPECIAL TEAMS SNIPER
While sophomore Tony Voce leads the club in power-play goals with four, he has also logged two goals shorthanded goals, 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 (4-6-10 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 nine of 11 games this season. For the season, the Eagles have averaged 33.6 shots on net per game to their opponents' 22.9 per game. In total, BC has outshot its opponents 370-252.
The Eagles have mounted 30+ shot efforts in nine of 11 games this season, including two 40+ games. The team put a season-high 43 shots on net at Wisconsin on Nov. 2. At the same time, the Eagles have held three opponents to fewer than 20 shots. Vermont mustered only 16 shots on net in the season opener against BC.
NOTING THE POSITIVE
After a slow start to the season, the Eagles are turning around their scoring habits. Boston College's top six scorers are a combined +35 on the season. Senior Jeff Giuliano, who is second in HOCKEY EAST with his +10 rating, leads the team. Sophomore Ben Eaves follows with a +8 mark. Sophomore defenseman J.D. Forrest is a +7, freshman Ryan Shannon is a +3 and classmate Dave Spina is a +4.
SEVERAL JOIN NATIONAL LEADERS ...
Sophomores Ben Eaves and Tony Voce are tied for eighth among NCAA Division I players in scoring with 18 points. Freshman Matti Kaltiainen is 15th in the nation among goaltending leaders with his 2.21 goals against average.
Voce is also tied for 13th nationally in goal scoring with eight, tied for fifth nationally power-play goals with four, and tied for third nationally in shorthanded goals with two.
Eaves is third in the nation in points per game, averaging 2.00 ppg. He is also tied for 15th nationally in assists with 11.
... AND LEAGUE LEADERS
Several Eagles are among the HOCKEY EAST leaders in scoring categories. In all games, sophomores Ben Eaves and Tony Voce are tied for second in the league in scoring with 18 points in 11 games.
Voce is also listed among the league leaders in several other categories: goals (tied for fifth), assists (tied for fifth), game-winning goals (tied for first), power-play goals (tied for third), shorthanded goals (tied for first), hat tricks (first) and shots (first). Eaves is listed in assists (third), power-play goals (tied for sixth) and shots (fifth).
Freshman goaltender Matti Kaltiainen is fourth in the league in goals against average (2.21 goal against) and fifth in save percentage (.909).
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.
EVERYDAY PLAYER
Senior forward Jeff Giuliano has played in all 139 of BC's games since his arrival at the Heights in the fall of 1998. He has recorded 33 goals and 55 assists for 88 points. This season, he also leads the team, and is second in HOCKEY EAST, with a plus-10 rating. He is tied for 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.
KALTIAINEN WINS THREE STRAIGHT
Freshman goaltender Matti Kaltiainen has recorded three straight wins, allowing just one goal in each game. He stopped a career-high 33 shots in a 3-1 win at Wisconsin on Nov. 3, before coming home to defeat Providence with a 19-save performance on Nov. 14. In the team's last game, he made 23 saves in the Eagles' 3-1 victory over fourth-ranked Boston University on Nov. 17. He has a .961 save percentage in those three wins.
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).
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 123-45-13 mark (.715 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 165-103-22 mark (.607 winning percentage) at Boston College and a 632-438-56 (.586 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.
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 travel to New Hampshire on Friday, Nov. 30 for a 7 p.m. HOCKEY EAST contest, before returning home to host UMass-Amherst on Saturday, Dec. 1 in a 7 p.m. game at Kelley Rink.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN SOON
After Boston College's Friday's game against Harvard, the Eagles will take to the road for seven of their next eight games. The Eagles opened the season playing six of the first eight games on the road.
ON THE AIR
Friday's contest between Boston College and Harvard can be heard tape-delayed at 10 p.m. on WTKK 96.9 FM with play-by-play by Jon Rish and Ken Hodge providing color. The game can also be accessed live at www.bceagles.com.
