Boston College Athletics
Eagles Face Familiar Hurdles With Fresh Perspective
February 15, 2001 | Men's Hockey
Feb. 15, 2001
"One of the things about mid-year reviews is that you've still got another half-year to play," says Boston College head coach Jerry York. There is little doubt, though, that this year's version of the BC Eagles is on the right track through the first half of the 2000-01 campaign.
Heading into the new year the team sported its best record in 11 years. A senior class that has the experience of three trips to the Frozen Four, in addition to an infusion of young talent that represents one of the best recruiting classes ever at BC, has the Chestnut Hill faithful thinking that this may just be the year that the Eagles lay claim to two of the most coveted trophies in college hockey - the national championship and the Beanpot.
In order to put this season's anticipation into proper perspective, it is necessary to mention last year's lost of five spectacular seniors, including Hobey Baker Award winner Mike Mottau. Also gone from that class are forwards Jeff Farkas (a Hobey Baker candidate), Blake Bellefeuille, Kevin Caulfield and Tony Hutchins. They accounted for over 40 percent of the teams' scoring last season, and their exit left a seemingly large hole in the fortunes of this year's team. Not according to York, though.
"We felt entering this season that we had an excellent nucleus returning, led by our outstanding senior class," says York. It's a nucleus that includes three-time All-American and Hobey Baker candidate Brian Gionta, solid forward Mike Lephart, seasoned goaltender Scott Clemmensen, and a bedrock defensive corps led by Bobby Allen and Rob Scuderi.
The resume of this year's seniors is impressive. The class of eight has 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. The class of 2001 fell just one short of that mark, winning 84 games entering this season.
Any talk of the senior class must start with Gionta. A two-time Hobey Baker finalist, Gionta is well on his way to erasing any doubt that he is one of the best players ever to don a maroon and gold sweater. He has averaged nearly 60 points per season, and is among HOCKEY EAST's leaders again this season. If he stays on his current pace, the right-winger will surpass former Eagle and Hobey Baker Award winner David Emma (1987-91) for the most career points in BC history. Emma tallied 239 points in his career, including 112 goals, a number which Gionta is coming close to surpassing as well.
"This year's seniors have been the rock of our club, they are the nuts and bolts of our hockey team," says York. "The freshmen, though, have come in and made a tremendous impact as well."
If the seniors are the nuts and bolts, then a key cog in the success of the Eagles so far this season has been the play of the highly-touted freshman class, a group that was expected to contribute right away - and contribute they have - becoming arguably the best rookie class in the league.
The freshman who has impressed the most on the offensive side is forward Chuck Kobasew, who has led the team in game-winning goals and power-play goals for most of the season. His uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time doesn't go unnoticed by York.
"He's got a great knack for scoring goals," York says about Kobasew. "He's always been a clutch performer and we are bearing witness to that this year." Opposing teams are also taking notice of the six-foot, 195-pound Kobasew, who started the season strong and has been consistently putting up big numbers. The Osoyoos, British Columbia native has garnered league rookie of the week honors three times, and was HOCKEY EAST's rookie of the month for November.
Tony Voce and Ben Eaves have been just as steady, providing the Eagles with an aggressive style of play that falls right in line with York's attack-style offense. Both Voce and Eaves have spent a considerable amount of time on BC's first line this season, and taking into account BC's offensive numbers this season, they have fared quite well. Voce, having twice earned HOCKEY EAST rookie of the week honors, can often be found slashing to the net with the puck, evidenced by his efforts in the Eagles' 5-3 win at Notre Dame in November, when he scored two sensational goals in the span of two minutes to lead the team to victory.
Eaves started his collegiate career in style, registering three assists in the Eagles' first game, a 4-1 victory over Notre Dame. He has centered the first line for much of the season and his ability to see the ice has allowed linemate Gionta the luxury of doing what he does best - look for scoring chances.
"Ben has adjusted well to the college game," says Gionta. "His skill level speaks for itself. He sees the ice very well and is very complimentary to the first line."
While touting the freshmen, Gionta also takes the time to praise the juniors and sophomore Eagles. While they may be smaller in numbers, their value to the team cannot be understated. As a whole, the captain like the way the team has come together this season.
"We have eight seniors with a lot of leadership and experience, and that's complimented by a large freshman class (eight) that was able to step up and play a lot," comments Gionta. "Then we've got the juniors (forwards Ales Dolinar and Jeff Giuliano, along with defenseman Brooks Orpik) that are quiet leaders and they run the team as well."
The star of the sophomore class this season has been forward Krys Kolanos, who has led the team and the league in scoring almost since day one. By the beginning of January the Calgary native had already surpassed his scoring output from his impressive freshman campaign.
Defensively, Bobby Allen and Rob Scuderi provide the leadership for a solid group of blueliners that has given up almost half the number of goals per game than the Eagles have scored this season. Having lost only one regular to graduation (Mottau), the Eagles defense has added three solid freshmen that Allen believes can ensure a bright future for BC hockey in the years to come.
"With the addition of guys like J. D. Forrest, Brett Peterson, and Joe Schuman to our lineup, along with the guys we have back like, Bill Cass, Orpik and Scuderi, the defense has been playing great this season," says Allen, an assistant captain on this year's squad. "Having guys like that (the freshmen) on our defensive corps, and knowing that they are going to be around for another three plus years, let's you know that the BC hockey future will be promising."
Boston College also has veteran leadership in net this year. Scott Clemmensen has been putting up similar numbers this year as he has in the past three seasons for the Eagles. He recorded his 11th career shutout earlier this year in a scoreless tie at Northeastern, extending his school record. Just as they have been in his first three campaigns, Clemmensen's goals against average and save percentage have been among the best in the league this season.
Not unlike former BC coaches Snooks Kelley and Len Ceglarski, York has found that it's tough to stay on top, as expectations are set higher and higher each successive season. As such, the Eagles will need to clear a number of familiar hurdles, such as the Beanpot, the HOCKEY EAST regular season and tournament championships and the national championship in order to consider the season a success.
York, who earlier this season earned his 600th career victory - becoming only the sixth hockey coach ever to do so, knows that while the Beanpot has slipped through the collective fingers of his teams since his arrival in the fall of 1994, the allure of taking home the trophy makes it an important goal for this and every season.
"The Beanpot is something we focus on each year, it's been a major goal for our club," says York. "We have not yet been successful in it, and that makes us want it even more. We feel good about our club this season, but we've got a lot of challenges in front of us."
With the arsenal that Boston College brings to the FleetCenter ice this season, it has become hard to bet against the Eagles as they strive to accomplish some, if not all, of their goals.
