Hockey East Power Rankings: Providence Makes a Move

After a weekend in which neither UNH nor BC earned a win, it'd be easy to put the one team that's beaten them both this season in the top slot. Unfortunately, we're not such suckers for a cheap thrill, so while BU is certainly a lot closer to the top than they are to the spot below them, they've still got something to prove to merit a jump.

1. UNH

I tried to convince myself that BC deserved this spot after taking a point against Providence on Friday night, but I just couldn't do it. Casey DeSmith may be giving up more goals lately than he had during the first seven weeks of the season, but he's about to get three weeks off. The question is whether or not UNH reverts to traditional second-half form or not.

2. Boston College

You don't lose ground for tying a quality Providence team, but you don't gain it for being unable to close out lesser competition, either. The added pressure of getting Jerry York his 925th win is now something that the Eagles get to think about for 22 days. Then again, Alabama-Huntsville isn't likely to be the team that makes BC and York wait any longer.

3. Boston University

It's been a really strong nine days for the Terriers, who would likely be higher on this poll if they'd been able to stay out of the Conte Forum penalty box last Saturday against BC. But heading into vacation on the backs of solid defensive efforts isn't a bad way to go.

4. Providence

In a conference where nobody's wanted to challenge the top three teams, Providence looks like it might finally be that team.

5. Merrimack

In past years, tying Harvard wouldn't be an enviable result. But this isn't the Harvard team we've been watching lately, either.

6. Lowell

A victory over an increasingly-depleted Northeastern squad isn't much to hoot about, but the Riverhawks are starting to round into the form everyone expected them to before the season started.

7. Vermont

Brody Hoffman didn't have his best game against Dartmouth, but he kept the Cats in a road game against a quality team, and Vermont deserves credit for that. Besides, nobody else seems interested in making the playoffs.

8. UMass

Colgate's hardly a world-beater, so you'd think that the Minutemen would have been able to do some damage in two home games against the Raiders. Alas, here we are.

9. Maine

You can't point fingers after a 1-0 loss, and Maine won't. But this is still a team that has the pieces that could take them places, and they just aren't doing it.

10. Northeastern

The Huskies can't score, can't stop teams from scoring and can't even keep their own players on the roster. It could be a very long winter for Jim Madigan.

Hockey East's Three Stars: BU Goaltending in the Spotlight

A strong weekend for both of BU's goaltenders gave the Terriers a big boost heading into the holiday break.

Boston College Hockey Fails to Get Monumental Win for Jerry York

#2 Boston College 3 at Providence 3

With just 11 ticks remaining on the clock and the Friar net vacated, freshman Nick Saracino scored on Parker Milner to complete a Friars comeback from down 2-0 and down 3-2. The game was sent to a scoreless overtime as the two sides drew a 3-3- score Friday night in Providence.

Now not only did Saracino score a last second game tying goal against the first place and defending National Champion Boston College Eagles, but he also made Jerry York wait that much longer to pass Ron Mason’s record of 924 Collegiate Division 1 Hockey victories.

In front of a sold-out crowd, sophomore forward Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary Flames) scored the initial goal of the game midway through the first period. The goal gave Gaudreau his eleventh of the season. Midway through the second, freshman defenseman Michael Matheson (Florida Panthers) extended the Eagles lead to two.

Following a goal from Friars forward Derek Army to halve the Eagles lead, Matheson added his second of the game to maintain the two-goal lead. One minute later, Noel Acciari scored for Providence to bring the Friars back to within one.

Colgate 6 at UMass 4

Despite a three point effort from defenseman Adam Phillips, the Minutemen fell to Colgate 6-4 on home ice Friday night. With the loss, UMass drops to 5-7-2 on the season.

Midway through the first, Raiders Kyle Baun kicked off the scoring barrage, beating netminder Kevin Boyle. Towards the end of the first, the Minutemen evened the score at one following a goal from Brandan Gracel, giving him six goals on the season.

The second period was all Colgate. Another goal from Baun and two from Tylor Spink vaulted the Raiders to a 4-1 lead heading into the final frame. At this point, Massachusetts knew they needed to put the puck in the net.

The Minutemen scored twice in the first six minutes of the final frame to bring the score to 4-3 with three-quarters of a period to go. Two minutes later, Jeremy Price scored a short-handed goal, providing the eventual game winning goal for Colgate.

#20 Harvard 2 at Merrimack 2 (OT)

Tommy O’Regan registered a goal and an assist for the Crimson, as they allowed Merrimack to come back and finish Friday night’s contest in a 2-2 tie. The tie brings the Warriors to 5-7-3 overall and 4-4-2 in Hockey East. Harvard, playing in their first game in three weeks, bring themselves to 4-3-1 on the season.

All of the scoring took place in the second period. Just 3:13 into the middle frame, O’Regan initiated the scoring. Just 31 seconds later, Desmond Bergin extended Harvard’s lead to two beating Warrior goaltender Sam Marotta.

Three minutes following Bergin’s goal, Rhett Bly beat Crimson goaltender Raphael Gerard to halve Harvard’s two point lead. Six minutes after that, Warrior point leader Mike Collins equalized the game at two, receiving assists from Jordan Heywood and Tom McCarthy.

Hockey East Friday Night: Last second goal for Providence ties BC, Colgate skates past UMass Amherst, Merrimack and Harvard draw

Boston College 3, Providence 3 Most hockey players will always remember their first goals. Let’s just say that freshman forward Nick Saracino will definitely remember his first collegiate goal for the Providence Friars. With just 11 ticks remaining on the clock and the Friar net vacated, the first year scored on Parker Milner to even the score a three goals apiece. The game was sent to a scoreless overtime as the two sides drew a 3-3- score Friday night in Providence. Now not only did Saracino score a last second game tying goal against the first place and defending National Champion Boston College Eagles, but he also made Jerry York wait that much longer to pass Ron Mason’s record of 924 Collegiate Division 1 Hockey victories. In front of a sold-out crowd, sophomore forward Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary Flames) scored the initial goal of the game midway through the first period. The goal gave Gaudreau his eleventh of the season. Midway through the second, freshman defenseman Michael Matheson (Florida Panthers) extended the Eagles lead to two. Following a goal from Friars forward Derek Army to halve the Eagles lead, Matheson added his second of the game to maintain the two-goal lead. One minute later, Noel Acciari scored for Providence to bring the Friars back to within one. Colgate 6, Massachusetts 4 Despite a three point effort from defenseman Adam Phillips, the Minutemen fell to Colgate 6-4 on home ice Friday night. With the loss, UMass drops to 5-7-2 on the season. Midway through the first, Raiders Kyle Baun kicked off the scoring barrage, beating netminder Kevin Boyle. Towards the end of the first, the Minutemen evened the score at one following a goal from Brandan Gracel, giving him six goals on the season. The second period was all Colgate. Another goal from Baun and two from Tylor Spink vaulted the Raiders to a 4-1 lead heading into the final frame. At this point, Massachusetts knew they needed to put the puck in the net. The Minutemen scored twice in the first six minutes of the final frame to bring the score to 4-3 with three-quarters of a period to go. Two minutes later, Jeremy Price scored a short-handed goal, providing the eventual game winning goal for Colgate. Harvard 2, Merrimack 2 Tommy O’Regan registered a goal and an assist for the Crimson, as they allowed Merrimack to come back and finish Friday night’s contest in a 2-2 tie. The tie brings the Warriors to 5-7-3 overall and 4-4-2 in Hockey East. Harvard, playing in their first game in three weeks, bring themselves to 4-3-1 on the season. All of the scoring took place in the second period. Just 3:13 into the middle frame, O’Regan initiated the scoring. Just 31 seconds later, Desmond Bergin extended Harvard’s lead to two beating Warrior goaltender Sam Marotta. Three minutes following Bergin’s goal, Rhett Bly beat Crimson goaltender Raphael Gerard to halve Harvard’s two point lead. Six minutes after that, Warrior point leader Mike Collins equalized the game at two, receiving assists from Jordan Heywood and Tom McCarthy.

BU holds on to beat UNH 3-2 following two points from Hohmann

Sophomore Cason Hohmann contributed two helpers for the Terriers, who held strong against a resurgent Wildcats team to a 3-2 victory Thursday night at the Whittemore Center. With the win, BU improves to 9-5 and7-4 in Hockey East. With the loss, the Wildcats lose for the first time in nine games, dropping to 11-2-2 (8-2-1) on the season.

The Terriers got to Wildcats netminder Casey DeSmith early, when senior forward Wade Megan (Florida Panthers) scored 4:39 into the contest. The goal was assisted by Hohmann and freshman defensemen Matt Grzlecyk (Boston Bruins). Following a scoreless remainder of the opening frame, Sahir Gill extended the Terrier's lead to two 4:01 into the second period. Four minutes later, freshman Sam Kurker notched his second goal of the season, extending BU's lead to three.

Later on in the middle frame, an interference penalty found Garrett Noonan (Nashville Predators) in the penalty box for the Terriers. With the extra man, Hockey East point leader Kevin Goumas beat Matt O'Connor to get the Wildcats on the board.

Midway through the third period, senior forward John Henrion closed the gap to within one. With ten minutes to go, the Wildcats would put a plethora of chances on the Terriers net, but O'Connor held strong, making eight of his 31 saves in the final period.

Hockey East: #10 Dartmouth downs Vermont Hockey following two goals from Dustin Walsh

A pair of second period goals from Dustin Walsh led the Big Green over the Catamounts 4-2 in Hanover on Wednesday night. With the win, Dartmouth improves to 7-2-2 on the season, while the loss drops Vermont to 3-8-3 (3-5-3).

The Green started off the scoring just 2:33 into the contest when Mike Keenan scored his second goal of the season past freshman goaltender and reigning Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week Brody Hoffman. Vermont evened the score at one off a goal from Yvan Pattyn midway through the first.

Twenty nine seconds into the middle frame Walsh scored his first goal of the contest, followed by another tally later in the same period. With a 3-1 lead heading into the third period, Dartmouth extended their lead to three following a goal from points leader Tyler Sikura 3:46 into the final frame.

Although down, the Catamounts kept plugging away, narrowing the gap to two goals with another scored from Pattyn. Dartmouth netminder held strong in the final minutes and finished the game with 30 saves. Hoffman, who only made 13 saves in the contest, was tagged with the loss.

Hockey East Preview: Top-ranked UNH hosts BU, Harvard visits Merrimack

The marquee game of the week takes place at the Whittemore Center on Thursday when UNH hosts BU, but matchups between Northeastern and Lowell as well as Boston College and Providence also look to help us start sorting out the bottom of the Hockey East pile.