Top-Seeded Eagles Seek Revenge on Vermont in Quarterfinals

Friday, March 11

Chestnut Hill, Mass.

7:00 PM

Boston College

Vermont

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Top-Seeded Eagles Seek Revenge on Vermont in Quarterfinals

March 08, 2016 | Men's Hockey

Boston College welcomes Vermont to The Heights for the third time in four season to square off in the Hockey East quarterfinals - the Catamounts knocked off the Eagles in the quarters at Kelley Rink last season as BC looks to get back to TD Garden for the first time since 2013

GAME DAY INFORMATION
WHEN	Friday, March 11 - 13, 2016 /// Friday & Saturday (7 p.m.) /// Sunday (4 p.m. - if necessary)
WHERE	Kelley Rink at Conte Forum (Chestnut Hill, Mass.)
HOW TO FOLLOW	FRIDAY: Video // Audio // Stats // Tickets \| SATURDAY: Video // Audio // Stats // Tickets
GAME NOTES	Boston College Notes: PDF // WEB \| Vermont Notes: PDF
MEDIA CENTER	Radio (WEEI 850 AM) - P x P: Jon Rish // Color: Andy Powers

BOSTON COLLEGE vs. VERMONT
Boston College, Hockey East's member with the most tournament titles (11), was dealt its second-consecutive quarterfinal round exit when Vermont took down the Eagles in three games in last year's series. BC has the opportunity to avenge last year's early exit when the Catamounts come to tow for the 2016 Hockey East quarterfinal series, marking the second-straight year BC and UVM will clash in this round and the third time in four years. Prior to last year's series, Vermont was the only team BC was unblemished against in the conference playoffs, owning a 6-0 mark before UVM won games two and three to advantage to the TD Garden. Before last year's quarterfinal series, BC knocked off Vermont four-straight times in the quarterfinals (2006 and 2013), shut out Vermont in the 2010 Hockey East semifinal (3-0) and came away with the Hockey East Tournament title in 2008 with another blanking of Vermont, 4-0. Boston College has already swept the Catamounts on the road this season with respective 3-1 and 4-1 victories (Feb. 19-20) in Burlington, Vt. Despite losing the three-game series to Vermont in last year's quarters, Boston College still owns a 17-4 mark over the Catamounts at Kelley Rink since UVM joined the league. In the overall series, BC possesses a 39-15-5 mark with a 26-7-3 win-loss total in Hockey East play.

CAT CALLS
Vermont finished ninth in Hockey East this season, posting a 6-13-3 mark in conference play and is currently 14-20-3 overall heading into the quarterfinals. After Boston College swept Vermont on Feb. 19-20 at Gutterson Fieldhouse, the Catamounts traveled to Merrimack and dropped another pair but rebounded this past weekend in the first round of the Hockey East playoffs. The Catamounts took on Connecticut at the XL Center in the first round and ousted UConn with 2-1 and 4-3 counts to earn a trip to The Heights. This marks Vermont's 10th showing in the league playoffs as Vermont has put together a 14-19 mark in 33 Hockey East postseason contests. Vermont has made it to the semifinals on three occasions with its most recent last season and reached the finals once, when UVM lost to the Eagles in 2008 (4-0). Mario Puskarich, who scored a goal against BC in the regular season series, leads the Catamounts' scoring efforts with 10 goals and 17 assists. Sophomore Jarrid Privitera is tied with Puskarich in goals scored (10) but the Catamounts have not gotten much scoring for anywhere else. UVM is 11th in the league in scoring (2.14 goals per game) and 53rd, nationally. Freshman Packy Munson and Junior Mike Santaguida has split time in net for the Catamounts, supporting a defense that ranks 28th in the NCAA (2.65 gpg) and seventh in Hockey East. Both special teams' units have struggled as only four teams in college hockey have a lower power play conversion rate than UVM (11.9 percent – 16-of-135). The penalty kill rests 10th in Hockey East, stopping opponents at a rate of 78.4 percent (120-of-153).

BC IN THE HOCKEY EAST TOURNAMENT
Boston College owns an overall record of 63-28-2 (.688) in the Hockey East tournament with a record 11 Lamoriello Trophies (1987, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012) and the same number of tournament MVPs. Boston University possesses the most Hockey East tournament victories (68) but Boston College owns the highest winning percentage of .688 (BU is currently at .652). The Eagles have stumbled early in their last two rounds, being ousted in the quarterfinals to Notre Dame (2014) and Vermont (2015), respectively, the last two seasons. Prior to the loss to Notre Dame in 2014, Boston College had an 18-game winning streak in the Hockey East quartefinals series.

BC IN THE HOCKEY EAST QUARTEFINALS
The Eagles look to avenge their early exits in the quarterfinals the last two seasons when BC lost to Notre Dame and Vermont in three games in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Dating back to 2004, the Eagles had not lost a Hockey East quarterfinal game until the series against the Irish. Boston College will take part in its 27th Hockey East quarterfinals series and has posted an overall record of 36-17-1 (.676) in that round of play.

YORK IN THE HOCKEY EAST TOURNAMENT
Jerry York's nine Hockey East tournament titles (1998, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012) are the gold standard. BU's Jack Parker is second with seven. York is 53-16-1 (.764) in 70 conference postseason contests. Boston College has advanced to the semifinal round of the league tournament in 10-of-16 seasons overall under York. The Eagles also own the most Hockey East championship appearances in league history with 16.

HOCKEY EAST TOURNAMENT SEEDING
Boston College will be the No. 1 seed in this year's Hockey East Tournament for the 13th time. As the No. 1 seed, BC has gone 27-9-0. The last time BC was No. 1 was in 2014.

TOURNEY TIDBITS
• Jerry York holds the record for most Hockey East tournament championships, having won nine (1998, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012) and amassing an overall win-loss total of 53-16-1 (.764) in 70 conference postseason games

• Boston College held the record for most consecutive victories in the Hockey East tournament (12 wins | 2010 - 2013) before Notre Dame upended the Eagles in 2014

• Boston College has won the most Hockey East tournament titles in league history (11 | 1987, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012)

• Boston College had its 18-game winning streak in the HEA quarterfinals snapped on March 14, 2014 by Notre Dame; its first loss in that round since 2004 (BU)

• Boston College owns the most Hockey East championship game appearances in conference history (16 | 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012)

• As a No. 1 seed, Boston College is 27-8-0; the last time the Eagles were the No. 1 seed in the Hockey East Tournament and won the title was in 2011 when the Eagles skated by Maine, 5-3

OFFENSIVE TIDBITS
• The Eagles possess the nation's SECOND BEST scoring margin of +2.06 -- the Eagles have scored 134 goals this season and only surrendered 64 (3.94 goals for pg / 1.88 goals against pg)

• The 2015-16 Eagle offense has already surpassed last year's offensive output by 27 goals this year -- Boston College scored 107 goals last season while BC has already tallied 134 this season

• Four BC forwards have already surpassed last year's point totals by double digits, including Ryan Fitzgerald (+15), Matthew Gaudreau (+14), Zach Sanford (+12) and Austin Cangelosi (+11)

• Between Jan. 8 and Feb. 19, the Eagles scored 17 power play goals in 14 games - currently, BC is converting at a rate of 21.1 percent (30-of-142) and ranks 15th nationally

• The North Reading, Mass. native not only scored his 50th-career goal against UMass Lowell on Feb. 26, he's been the Eagles' leading point scorer (6-3-9) since the Beanpot -- Fitzgerald is currently 19th in college hockey in scoring, averaging 1.21 points per game (20-20-40)

DEFENSIVE TIDBITS
• Boston College recorded its ninth shutout of the season to win the Beanpot on Feb. 8 - that is now a new school record, surpassing the old standard of eight set in 2005-06

• As a whole, BC's defensive unit ranks fourth nationally, yielding only 1.88 gpg (one of six teams under 2.00 gpg) - BC has kept opponents off the board in 55-of-92 periods of play

• Boston College's penalty-killing unit has surrendered only four power play goal in the last 13 games as the Eagles rank fifth in the nation at 87.9 percent (131-of-149)

• When holding a lead heading into the third period, the Eagle defense has been on lockdown, posting a 20-0-2 record with the advantage after two frames

• BC's wall between the pipes, Thatcher Demko, ranks no lower than fourth in all the major goaltending categories this season, including shutouts (9 - 1st), save percentage (.937 - 2nd), goals against average (1.77 - 3rd) and win percentage (.781 - T-4th)

CHAMPS ... 14 TIMES OVER
Boston College's 3-1 victory over UMass Lowell on Feb. 26 guaranteed the Eagles the No. 1 seed for the Hockey East playoff and a share of the regular season title. BC lost to the River Hawks the following night in the regular season finale and tied as co-champs with Providence. BC has been champs or co-champs in the regular season 14 times, including the 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87, 1988-89, 1989-90, 1990-91, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2013-14, 2015-16 seasons.

FIFTY FOR FITZY
Ryan Fitzgerald scored his fourth goal in two games on Friday, Feb. 26, including a short-handed empty-net goal to tally his 50th-career goal as Eagle. The North Reading, Mass., native is four goals away from tying for 50th all-time in the BC career goals scored charts. Fitzgerald is also one 16 skaters in college hockey with at least three short-handed goals this season. Five of Fitzgerald's 50 goals at BC have come via short-handed. Fitzgerald has scored 20 goals and registered as many assists in his junior season and ranks 19th, nationally, in points per game this season with 1.21 ppg.

20 / 20
With the Beanpot victory over BU on Feb. 8, Jerry York has now lead his program to a 20-win season (or more) in 17 of his 22 years behind the bench. This is the seventh-consecutive season the Eagles will have won at least 20 games and will be the 75th season in which Boston College has guaranteed more wins than losses.

SOPHOMORE UNSLUMP
Sophomore Alex Tuch has scored at least one point in 12 of his last 13 games, netting his 13th tally of his sophomore season. The Baldwinsville, N.Y. native has recorded 28 points (13-15-28) this season and 56 in two years (27-29-55). Over the course of Tuch's 13-game span, he has gained four goals and eight assists. Classmate Zach Sanford has posted at least one point in 11 of his last 13 outings, accounting for six goals and eight assists over that span. In all this season, the Manchester, N.H. native has broken out with 12 goals and 24 assists (12-24-36).

BROTHERLY LOVE
Both Ryan and Casey Fitzgerald scored power play goals in the Feb. 13 contest at Merrimack and each assisted on one another's tallies. As a whole this season, each have assisted twice on one another's goals this year and have both scored at least one point in a game on 12 different occassions, including a combined two goals and three assists at Vermont on Feb. 20.

DEFENDING THE HEIGHTS TO NEW HEIGHTS
Boston College logged its ninth shutout of the season on Feb. 8, 2016 against Boston University, breaking the school record that was set in 2005-06 (8). All nine shutouts have been pitched by Thatcher Demko, who surpassed Cory Schneider's mark from the 05-06 season. No other team has posted nine shutouts in college hockey this season.

SHORT-CHANGED
The Eagles have scored 10 short-handed goals this season, which is second in the nation (Penn State - 12). Ryan Fitzgerald leads the team with three while Colin White and Zach Sanford have both scored a pair. It's the most short-handed goals in a season for BC since 2011-12 (12 SHGs). Boston College is also tied for the most successful penalty shot goals (2) with Connecticut as well as delayed penalty goals (2) with Michigan and Wisconsin.

THE LEGEND CONTINUES...
Boston College coach Jerry York has reached the 1,000-win mark for his career in his 1,703rd game as a head coach. In all, York's record is 1,008-596-110 (.620) in 44 seasons at the head coach level and 541-261-76 (.659) in his 22nd season at the helm of Boston College. At the collegiate level, York is the 55th head coach to reach 1,000-career victories and the first to do so in college hockey. York remains the winningest coach in the history of the game. In his 1,000-career victories, Jerry York has defeated 69 different programs spread out through his tenures at Clarkson, Bowling Green and Boston College. York also won his ninth Beanpot trophy on Feb. 8, 2016, checking off another record in the BC annals.

KILLING IN THE NAME OF
In its last four games, BC has denied 24-of-25 penalty-killing opportunities between the UMass Lowell and the Vermont serieses. As a whole, the Eagles' penalty-killing unit ranks fifth, killing off 87.9 percent (131-of-149).

SPECIAL TEAMS' TALES
The Eagles' power play ranks 15th in the nation, converting 30-of-142 opportunites at a rate of 21.1 percent. The penalty-killing efforts continue to dominate, ranking first in Hockey East and fifth, nationally (87.9 percent - 131-of-149).

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUUUUL TIME, OF THE YEAR
As of Saturday, Boston College is ranked fifth in the Pairwise ranking with an RPI rating of .5873, claiming the second spot in the poll with respect to Hockey East (Providence).

HOBEY HULLABALOO
Three members of the Eagles are up for the 2016 Hobey Baker award, including: Thatcher Demko (G), Ryan Fitzgerald (F) and Colin White (F). Fans can vote for the Hobey Baker award at Facebook.com/TheHobey .