BC - BU Faceoff Live on NBC Sports Network

Nov. 7, 2014

GAME NOTES: PDF  |  ISSUU (web based)

TELEVISION: NBC Sports Network (P x P: Dave Goucher | Color: Ken Hodge)

RADIO: WEEI 850 AM (P x P: Jon Rish | Color: Andy Powers)

LIVE STATS

#THEBATTLEOFCOMMAVE

Boston University will hop on the Green Line Friday night as the Terriers make their way to Kelley Rink in what will be the 266th installment of Boston College vs. Boston University on the ice. Following last season, Boston College usurped the Terriers as the winningest team of all time in the Hockey East Association’s 30-year history. Last season, the Eagles swept the three-game series over BU, including the first round of the Beanpot Tournament. The last time Boston College won every meeting against BU in the regular season occurred in the 2010-11 season when BC went 4-0 over BU. In recent history, Boston College has dominated its foe from Comm. Ave, winning 12 of the last 16 meetings dating back to the 2010 Beanpot title game on Feb. 8. Head coach Jerry York is 3-0 against his new adversary from Allston, David Quinn. Prior to Quinn’s arrival, the Eagles faced off against famed coach Jack Parker 155 times dating back to 1973, including 82 meetings against York. In all, York is 40-38-7 against Boston University as head coach of the Eagles.

RHETT REPORT

Following one of its toughest seasons in program history, No. 5 Boston University has turned things around in a hurry, and started off the season with an unblemished 4-0 mark before suffering a 2-1 loss at home to No. 8 Providence on Oct. 31. The Terriers’ four-game tear to ignite the 2014-15 season marked BU’s best start since the 2001-02 season. The Friars’ victory stopped up Boston University’s bid at its best start since the 1991 season (5-0-0). The talk around town has been freshman phenom Jack Eichel. The Chelmsford, Mass., native is averaging nearly two points per game, having tallied four goals and five assists in (1.80 ppg) in five outings. Eichel is the country’s leading rookie scorer by a long shot, nearly half a point better than the closest first-year skater. Junior Danny O’Regan has had a strong first start and is the nation’s 12th-most prolific scorer, averaging 1.40 points per game with three goals and four assists while Evan Rodrigues (1-5-6) is tied for 21st, averaging 1.20 points per game. With all that firepower up front, the Terriers’ defense through this point in this season may be its strongest suit. Boston University has the second-ranked defense in the country, giving up only six total goals in five games, averaging 1.20 goals surrendered per game. Matt O’Connor shoulders much of the credit as both his goals against average (1.26) and save percentage (.964) ranks fourth in the nation and tops in Hockey East. BU sports the top combined special teams percentage at 63.9 percent (23/36) and is outscoring its opponents at a clip of 2.20 goals per game, third best in the NCAA. The power play is tied for 23rd at a conversion rate of 16.7 percent (2-for-12) while the penalty kill is tied for 20th with (87.5 percent).

YOUNG GUNS

Friday’s rivalry will not only have the attention of the college hockey world, but the professional ranks as well. As of the latest ISS Prospect Rankings for the 2015 NHL Draft released on Nov. 3, Boston University’s Jack Eichel and Boston College’s Noah Hanifin are predicted to be selected second and third, respectively, at this year’s NHL Entry Draft in Sunrise, Fla. Hanifin is projected as the top overall defenseman in this year’s draft class.

ANOTHER SEASON…ANOTHER BENCHMARK

The Schiller Family Head Hockey Coach of Boston College, Jerry York, won his 500th game behind the Eagles’ bench in only 811 games after a 2-1 victory at Denver on Oct. 31, 2014. York is in his 21st season as BC bench boss. York continues to maintain the label as college hockey’s winninges coach all-time, possessing a  967-579-102 mark in his 43rd season as a college hockey head coach.

SNEAKING UP ON SNOOKS

John “Snooks” Kelley, Boston College head coach for 36 years from 1932 to 1942 and 1946 to 1972, owns the most wins as Eagles’ head with coach with an overall record of 501-244-15. If the Eagles defeat Boston University, York ties Kelley for the most wins ever at BC. To date, York’s mark on The Heights is 500-245-68.

REMEMBER THE LAST TIME BC LOST TWO GAMES? 

The last time Boston College lost back-to-back games was last season on Nov. 23 and Nov. 29 against Maine (5-1) and Holy Cross (5-4), respectively. Following that skid, the Eagles rattled off a 19-game unbeaten streak of 17-0-2, matching the longest of that kind under Jerry York at Boston College.

SHUTOUT STREAK STOPPED UP

Boston College was shutout at Connecticut on Nov. 5 in the first-ever meeting between the Eagles and the Huskies. The Eagles owned the longest streak in the country of scoring at least one goal in 106 games with their last shutout transpiring on Jan. 13, 2012, at Massachusetts. In 813 games behind Boston College’s bench,  Jerry York has been held scoreless only 20 times total. 

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Following yet another 25-win year, fourth in the last five seasons for Boston College, the Eagles leapfrogged Boston University in all-time win percentage in Hockey East play. In 30 seasons, the Eagles have compiled a 444-248-73 record for a league-best 62.8 win percentage in 30 seasons as a found member of Hockey East. 

Boston College Athletics

BC - BU Faceoff Live on NBC Sports Network

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