No slow start for these freshmen
On Monday afternoon, the USCHO released their weekly national poll of DI men’s college hockey, and the Boston College Eagles found themselves back at #1 in the nation for the third stint this season. BC had a huge win against Providence on Saturday in which they blew a 2-0 lead but came back to win in the third period, 5-4. The win helped launch them to the top spot after North Dakota got swept by Colorado College over the weekend, dropping them to #4.
Looking around Hockey East, there is no shortage of tough competition. Boston University has climbed their way back up the poll to #2, just behind BC, marking the first time ever these two archrivals have held the top-2 spots in the USCHO poll since it started in 1996. BU has been red hot since their early season struggles and have now won 7 of their last 9 games, including a sweep of Merrimack this weekend. Maine and Providence are also in the top-10, with the Black Bears at #8 and the Friars at #10. With 4 teams in the top-10, Hockey East is having a very strong year and looks like they’ll be in a good position when NCAA tournament time rolls around. But of course that means a more difficult path for Boston College.
BC now enters their winter break. They will host an exhibition game against Simon Fraser on January 6th, then get back to action with a full home-and-home series against Providence on January 12th and 13th.