Third period, 4:31, Boston College 5-0: Matt Price tacked on an empty-netter from the neutral zone to continue BC's tremendous third-period effort.
Third period, 5:50, Boston College 4-0: The announced attendance was 37,592, which breaks Thursday's mark for the world record for the most fans to ever witness an indoor hockey game.
Third period, 9:41, Boston College 4-0: Wisconsin's Podge Turnbull took a dumb penalty behind the play in the neutral zone, and he'll serve two minutes for contact to the head.
Third period, 12:40, Boston College 4-0: Cam Atkinson scored his second goal of the period, and the rout is on for your 2010 national champions. It was also BC's second power-play goal.
Third period, 13:28, Boston College 3-0: Craig Smith was whistled for elbowing, and BC has another power play. Remember when Craig Smith was allowed to travel for the Eagles in the NCAA basketball tournament?
Third period, 15:15, Boston College 3-0: Derek Stepan had to leave the ice after hitting his head on the boards while trying to break up the play before Chris Kreider scored. Stepan dove toward the net to deflect the pass, and his momentum carried him into the back boards. Kreider and Stepan were also teammates on the American World Juniors team that recently won the gold medal.
Third period, 16:20, Boston College 3-0: Boston College might have wrapped this one up. Just 2:02 after doubling the lead, the Eagles tackled on a third goal to shock the Wisconsin-heavy fan base. Jimmy Hayes sent the puck to the middle of the net, and Chris Kreider redirected it past Scott Gudmandson's right pad. The national championship looks like it will have a home on Comm. Ave. for a third consecutive year.
Third period, 18:22, Boston College 2-0: Cam Atkinson entered the Wisconsin zone on the left side, skated through the circle with Justin Schultz on his hip and backhanded the puck through Scott Gudmandson's five-hole. That was a pretty weak goal on Gudmandson's part, and this place has gone silent. Wisconsin's fans are in shock.
Third period, 20:00, Boston College 1-0: Just 20 regulation minutes remain in college hockey's 2009-10 season. Boston College and Wisconsin are locked in a good one here in Detroit.
End of second period, Boston College 1-0: BC is clinging to its one-goal lead after two periods, and Wisconsin really controlled play in the Eagles' zone during the middle frame. It's surprisingly been a low-scoring game, as both defenses are playing tremendously in the middle of the ice. The Eagles are obviously in good shape, but it will take a Herculean performance from John Muse in the third period.
Second period, 3:02, Boston College 1-0: Blake Geoffrion was finally spotted at Ford Field, but it was just during a promo taping on the video boards. I'll pass it along if the Hobey Baker winner ever shows up on the ice.
Second period, 5:40, Boston College 1-0: Michael Davies broke free in the neutral zone and wound up with a breakaway through the slot, but he lost the puck — with no one within a country mile — and never got off a shot. No telling at this point if Davies choked or if he hit a dead spot in the ice. After witnessing the first 34 minutes of this game, either is a likely possibility.
Second period, 7:27, Boston College 1-0: Officials and rink crews have been spending more time working on the ice in this game than they did during Thursday's doubleheader, and Saturday's warmer weather definitely had an effect on that. The ice temperature was 37 degrees Thursday (above freezing, which is weird), and I'm trying to find out Saturday's temp. I'm guessing it's higher than 37.
Second period, 10:00, Boston College 1-0: Credit BC defenseman Carl Sneep with a huge save. The puck found Michael Davies at the right post, and the Wisconsin forward was looking at an open net. Before he could bring the puck around the pipe, though, Sneep jammed his stick in the way and kept the Eagles on top.
Second period, 13:24, Boston College 1-0: The ice is tilting in Wisconsin's favor as the teams each returned to full strength.
Second period, 15:39, Boston College 1-0: That didn't last very long. Joe Whitney was called for clipping, and the teams will play four-on-four for 55 seconds before the Badgers get a 65-second power play.
Second period, 16:44, Boston College 1-0: Wisconsin defenseman Jake Gardiner drew an interference penalty, and BC is back on the power play. The Eagles have controlled play in the second period, and their excellent power play has another chance.
Second period, 17:23, Boston College 1-0: While officials stopped play to work on the ice, the RIT section passed the time by chanting "Jersey Shore" at five Wisconsin fans who aren't wearing shirts.
Second period, 19:58, Boston College 1-0: They're back at it at Ford Field.
First intermission, Boston College 1-0: Here's a huge key for the Badgers in the next two periods: Stay out of the penalty box. BC put eight shots on net and scored one goal during its two power plays, which is a very high number of shots for the Eagles. Also consider BC only had four shots while not on the power play.
End of first period, Boston College 1-0: Wisconsin generated some momentum toward the end of the period and showcased some serious individual skill on a few plays. I'm wondering where that was prior to that point.
It was a good period, but the BC defensive play limited Wisconsin and slowed down the game to an extent. We haven't seen much of the high-flying contest we anticipated, but after these teams loosen up in the first intermission, things could quicken in the second period. Remember, the second period was huge for BC and Wisconsin on Thursday. Expect there to be more of the same in the coming minutes.
First period, 0:28, Boston College 1-0: Boston College is out-shooting Wisconsin, 12-3, at this point, which is a huge surprise. Badgers forward Andy Bohmbach has had a couple of good looks at the net in his last two shifts but hasn't been able to capitalize.
First period, 6:17, Boston College 1-0: The RIT student section, which deserves a star for its performance this week, has been taunting BC's band throughout the game, chanting "We can't hear you" after a few of its songs.
First period, 7:03, Boston College 1-0: With eight seconds remaining on the power play, Steven Whitney did a nice job tracking down the puck high in the zone and made a great pass to Ben Smith in the slot. Smith's wrister beat Scott Gudmandson's blocker up high, and the Eagles have a lead in the national championship. BC is playing pretty well so far and might be putting a good scare into the favored Badgers.
First period, 8:56, 0-0: John Mitchell was busted for contact to the head/ebowing, and the Eagles are on the power play for the second time.
First period, 11:59, 0-0: Boston College has been controlling the puck more in the last few minutes, but the Badgers tightened up on the penalty kill. After a good BC possession, Wisconsin generated a quick rush down the ice, and goalie John Muse stole one away from Michael Davies in the slot.
First period, 14:36, 0-0: Ryan McDonagh was tagged for cross-checking, and BC has its first power play of the game.
First period, 15:41, 0-0: Good kill for the Eagles. Wisconsin has a slight edge in play so far, but neither team has taken any chances. They've been pretty tentative during these first few shifts.
First period, 18:43, 0-0: Joe Whitney received an early interference penalty, and Wisconsin has a chance to jump ahead quickly like it did Thursday against RIT.
First period, 19:59, 0-0: They're underway in the Rock City.
6:59 p.m.: The National Anthem has been played, and the starting lineups are being announced. We're minutes away from face-off.
5:56 p.m.: The PA system played the chorus to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'," which conveniently left out the part about wanting to leave Detroit.
6:48 p.m.: There was a really good buzz outside the rink this afternoon. The Wisconsin fans have taken over this town.
5:57 p.m.: Here are the lines for Saturday's national championship.
Boston College (28-10-3)
Barry Almeida-Matt Price-Matt Lombardi
Joe Whitney-Brian Gibbons-Cam Atkinson
Chris Kreider-Ben Smith-Jimmy Hayes
Paul Carey-Pat Mullane-Steven Whitney
Brian Dumoulin-Carl Sneep
Philip Samuelsson-Edwin Shea
Tommy Cross-Patch Alber
John Muse
Wisconsin (28-10-4)
Andy Bohmbach-Blake Geoffrion-Craig Smith
Ben Street-Derek Stepan-Michael Davies
John Mitchell-Aaron Bendickson-Jordy Murray
Podge Turnbull-Sean Dolan-Ben Grotting
Brendan Smith-John Ramage
Cody Goloubef-Justin Schultz
Ryan McDonagh-Jake Gardiner
Scott Gudmandson
8 a.m.: There's no question about it: College hockey's two best teams will hit the ice on Saturday night to play for the national championship. Boston College and Wisconsin will take part in a battle that is expected to be a high-scoring affair with tons of action and excitement.
After each team cruised to impressive blowout victories in the Frozen Four, they will meet in a rematch of the 2006 title game, which Wisconsin claimed 2-1 in front of a home atmosphere in Milwaukee. The consensus suggests the Badgers have been the best team in the land this season, but Boston College's scoring prowess is dangerous enough to give the Eagles a chance for the upset.
The puck drops at 7 p.m., and keep it here throughout the night for updates.
