Last weekend was the final one in 2012 (excluding Christmas break) that featured only three of the four local NCAA men’s hockey teams in action. Harvard’s regular season finally begins on Saturday against Bentley (believe it or not, they are Division 1 in hockey) in Cambridge. For the other three teams, I’d say it was a case of returning to the usual script after a wacky opening weekend. After great debuts, Northeastern and BU came back down to Earth while BC looked more like the powerhouse they always seem to be.
Power rankings
1) Boston College (2-1-0; No. 1 in USCHO.com poll)
Last week: Won 5-4 in OT at UMass-Amherst on Friday; beat Northeastern 3-0 on Saturday
This week: at UMass-Lowell on Friday; host UMass-Lowell on Sunday
After being held to one goal in their season-opening loss to Northeastern, the Eagles exploded for eight goals in two games last weekend. They also gained immediate revenge on the Huskies by shutting them out 3-0 on the same night that they raised their 2012 NCAA Championship banner at Kelley Rink.
2) Northeastern (2-1-0; No. 15 in USCHO.com poll)
Last week: Lost 3-0 at BC on Saturday
This week: at UNH on Friday; host UNH on Saturday
Hockey East and the universe probably wasn’t ready for a world where the Huskies were beating the Eagles by multiple goals. After scoring seven goals opening weekend, Northeastern was blanked by BC and as Claude Julien has taught us: it’s tough to win when you don’t score.
3) Boston University (1-1-0; No. 13 in USCHO.com poll)
Last week: Lost 4-1 at UNH on Saturday
This week: Host UMass-Amherst on Friday; go to Amherst on Saturday
Most people enjoy the occasional weekend in the Granite State but it’s doubtful that Jack Parker and his team had much fun in Durham. Let’s hope they at least picked up some fireworks and new tattoos for their troubles. With two games under their hockey pants, it’s hard to get much of a read on the Terriers yet.
4) Harvard (0-0-0; No. 17 in USCHO.com poll)
Last week: Beat mighty McGill (the Harvard of Canada) 5-1 in an exhibition on Friday
This week: Season-opener on Friday vs. Bentley
Despite not playing a real game, the Crimson stayed in the same spot in USCHO.com’s poll, so they’ve got that going for them. Must be some Ivy Leaguers stuffing the ballot box there, Florida Republicans-style. Mercifully, they have a real game this weekend and not a moment too soon for me. I’ve run out of jokes.
Star of week
Boston College senior center and captain Pat Mullane Mullane had five points this weekend in BC’s two wins including two goals and an assist on Friday as the Eagles rallied from a 3-0 deficit to start the third period. This round at Mary-Ann’s is on me.
Quote of the week
“Northeastern, right down the road from us, they’re always rivals,” said BC sophomore forward Johnny Gaudreau. “Beating us in their home opener, we most definitely didn’t want them to take our home opener away from us. Definitely, there was a little chip on our shoulder.” – USCHO.com
