The two have met three times already this year, but the hockey world will get one more look at the storied rivalry Friday evening when the No. 1/2 Boston University men’s hockey team takes on No. 15 Boston College at TD Banknorth Garden for the right to play for the Hockey East title.
‘This is our archrival. It’s win or go home,’ BU coach Jack Parker said.
At the beginning of this year, Parker had a list of three tangible marks for the Terriers to accomplish this season; the regular season conference crown, Hockey East title and, ultimately, the title ‘national champions.’
So far, only the first box is checked off the list. The Terriers have to go through BC to take care of the second.
But perhaps the greatest accomplishment for the Terriers to date is how well they have become accustomed to playing for each other.
The primary goal for BU throughout the season has been for each of the Terriers to exemplify what Parker denotes as a ‘BU hockey player.’ The tenured boss demanded that BU grind, push and go beyond what it takes to be a teammate, but he held nothing in higher regard than for his team to play for the name on the front of the sweater.
Every one of the Terriers has done just that.
Last year was a disappointment, plain and simple. Although the finger can be pointed in every direction looking back, the fact remains that last year’s disappointing end has catapulted this year’s Terriers to the top of Hockey East.
Friday night, the Terriers face BC looking to reverse its fortunes after last year’s early departure from the Hockey East Tournament and absence from the National Championship bracket.
Junior alternate captain Brian Strait will be available for Parker on Friday, and will most likely be paired back up with senior defenseman Matt Gilroy.
Strait has missed the last two weeks after suffering a knee injury, but is fully recovered heading into the semifinal matchup.’
In their prior three meetings against the Eagles this year, the Terriers dominated BC’s defense and sophomore goalie John Muse.
Muse and the Eagles struggled midway through the season to string together solid, 60-minute efforts, but the final month of the season has seen a steady increase in their play.
‘I thought everybody would feel there would be an adjustment for Boston College that they would not wind up their season playing out the stretch,’ Parker said. ‘They’ve played well down the stretch, and they’ve had to because they’ve had tough games.’
BC has lost just one game since Feb. 27, and Muse is coming off last week’s Defensive Player of the Week honors.’ ‘
‘I was surprised that [BC] dipped as much as they did in the regular season,’ Parker said. ‘But they’ve had key injuries, especially on defense, that really hurt them. [Muse] did not play as well most of the year as he did last year, and now all of a sudden he’s playing very, very well again.’
Despite their success against BC this season, Parker said that although the Terriers have the upper hand in regards to their play throughout the regular season, the game will be another battle between the two rivals.’ ‘
‘I think we’re the intimidating opponent, but the bottom line is I don’t think we intimidate them and I don’t think they intimidate us,’ Parker said.
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