This weekend, our very own Men’s Hockey Team played in the Frozen Four tournament in Tampa, Florida. The Eagles took on the number one team in the country, the Quinnipiac Bobcats, on Thursday night.
The Eagles struggled a bit leading up to the Frozen Four, stumbling against Northeastern in the Hockey East Championship tournament. Despite this, they managed to overcome their defensive challenges to beat Harvard and Minnesota-Duluth in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament to send them to Tampa.
The stands at the Amalie Arena in Tampa were filled with maroon and gold, and the sounds of “For Boston” floated through the arena courtesy of the Pep Band. Despite all of the positive energy surrounding them and the desire within them, the team suffered a heartbreaking loss at the hands of QU. BC fell to Quinnipiac 3-2. The team fought throughout the game and spent the last four minutes of the game playing possibly their best hockey of the season, but it just wasn’t enough to top the Bobcats.
Despite the loss, the Eagles had an incredible season. They made it to the second to last round of the National Championship tournament, and many members of the team were lauded for their individual accomplishments. Thatcher Demko, the team’s goalie, was one of the Hobey Baker Hattrick finalists. The Hobey Baker aware is given out annually to the best player in college hockey. While Thatch was edged out by Harvard’s Jimmy Vesey for the Hobey, he did win the Mike Richter award, which is given to the best goalie in college hockey. Additionally, Thatch and Ryan Fitzgerald were named to the second All-American team.
The excitement didn’t end when the game was over, however. Steve Santini and Miles Wood signed professional contracts with the New Jersey Devils and played at least thirteen minutes each in their first NHL game on Saturday.
So despite the loss, the Eagles had a great weekend in Tampa. Congratulations to all of the student-athletes, and we can’t wait to be back in the Frozen Four next year!
Photo Credit
http://www.courant.com/sports/college/hc-frozen-four-hockey-0408-20160407-story.html
http://bceagles.com/news/2016/3/31/mens-hockey-demko-hailed-a-hobey-baker-hat-trick-finalist.aspx
http://www.wcvb.com/sports/boston-college-beats-minnduluth-32-to-reach-frozen-four/38716134