Saturday's first round of the Northeast Regional in Worcester, Mass., will mark the first contest in BC's 87-year program history against Alaska-Fairbanks. The Eagles are making their 29th NCAA appearance and their 11th in the last 13 years. The Nanooks will be making their NCAA debut after earning an at-large berth as a No. 4 seed.
After earning their record ninth Hockey East title in a thrilling 7-6 overtime win against Maine this past weekend, the Eagles are ready for their next challenge. They've earned the top seed in their regional and will look to continue building on this year's perfect 4-0 postseason run.
They currently possess one of the most explosive offenses in college hockey and have depth few teams can match. Coach Jerry York has been confident using all of his lines and plans to stick with the same game plan going forward.
"We've played four lines on a regular basis and, for the most part, six defensemen on a regular basis and even two goaltenders," he said. "We have good depth, so now it's time to play some hockey and see who will advance here.”
Senior Matt Lombardi erupted for the Eagles last weekend, recording a career-high four points (3 goals, 1 assist) in the title match to earn tournament MVP honors. BC's offense exploded for 21 goals in four Hockey East tournament games, with six different players notching at least four points.
Throughout the season, the Eagles have become more of a well-rounded team with their emergence as a defensive threat to compliment their offensive firepower. The defense will need to continue its solid play if BC is to advance.
"We were very sharp defensively in the Friday night game against Vermont," York said. "[Goaltender] John Muse played exceptionally and our team was really crisp in a lot of different areas, and that led us to the championship game."
Muse finished the tournament with 72 saves, a 2.87 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage in his three games to help the Eagles claim the league championship.
Though neither team has had the chance to face the other, York is highly respectful of the Nanooks' ability and emergence in the CCHA, and continues to take nothing for granted.
"Their goaltender [Scott Greenham] and team defense seem to be the strength of the club," he said. "I think they've finished fourth and fifth in successive years. They have been a force there in a conference with Miami, Michigan State, Ohio State and Notre Dame, so they are well-respected on our behalf."
Like any good coach, York realizes his team is only as good as its last game. Entering this weekend on the heels of a Hockey East title is a definite momentum builder, but the NCAAs present a whole new season.
"The key is that it doesn't really matter how you played last week or the week before that," York said. "It's the team that plays the best hockey who will advance. We feel that we have a pretty good momentum swing now, but it’s who plays the best hockey this Saturday."
The winner of the BC-Alaska game will advance to the regional finals on Sunday to compete against the winner of the North Dakota-Yale game for a berth in the 2010 Frozen Four at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.
