Hockey East won't punish BC for racial issue

Like many of you, I am just hearing about this racial issue during the BC-Providence game this weekend. Hockey East announced they won't discipline anyone because they don't know who from BC made the remark to Providence's Vimal Sukumaran. There are no official reports on what was said and no one from BC has owned up to the remarks. The game officials did say they heard the remarks but weren't sure who said them.

I don't know what was said, so it is hard for me to react. Anything racial is unacceptable and should result in punishment. I understand why BC would want this to go away. I wish they would help determine who said what so this could be resolved in a productive way. Right now it will just serve as another distraction with recruiting and the media and an unfortunate note on an unfortunate season.

Why BC is out of the NCAA Hockey Tourney

For a minute, I thought BC was going to do it. I thought the Hockey team was going to earn an auto-bid into the NCAA Tournament by winning the Hockey East Tournament. UMass-Lowell won, so BC is now home. To those who don't pay much attention to college hockey, this might not make sense. BC playing well in the HE Tourney should make them more attractive. But unfortunately it was too, little too late. BC's struggles in February proved too costly and so the Eagles are the first team out. 

BCI has a great explainer on the NCAA's selection process via Pairwise. The Heights also put things in perspective. This team was very young. Not much was officially expected in the preseason. It is just at BC, we expect York to pull out a miracle every year. It is news when we don't make the postseason. I know this makes me sound a bit optimistic, a bit ungrateful and a bit entitled, but I expect BC to bounce back next year.

Men's Hockey still alive; Women's season over

The Men's team is one step closer to pulling off an incredible run. Friday they beat BU in the Hockey East Semis. BC held the lead throughout, but BU made it interesting late. Now it is on to UMass-Lowell. BC has plenty of Hockey East titles, but this one would be one of the most unlikely. The team couldn't buy a goal in the final few weeks of the regular season. Now they can put that slide far, far behind them. I won't even get into what else winning the Hockey East will do (no jinx).

In disappointing news, the Women's team had another great season come up short. Facing Wisconsin in the Frozen Four, the women lost a defensive battle when Wisconsin scored with seconds left. With how great the program is, it is only a matter of time before they start a string of national championships. 

Hockey opens post season the right way

The last time week checked in with the Men's Hockey team, they were in the middle of a losing streak. They couldn't generate any shots on goal and were on the outside of the NCAA Tournament. Friday night all those problems were gone. The team crushed Vermont in the opening game of the Hockey East Tournament.

BC now needs to follow up on the win, by beating Vermont again. The game will be at Conte again on Saturday night. Let's hope they keep it up and this is just the first of many postseason wins.

Our best performance to date, but there's still work to be done. See you back here tomorrow night. Same time. Same place. #BCEagles pic.twitter.com/SpNX01XKHi

— BC Hockey (@BCHockey) March 11, 2017

Bad day for Hockey

In a big upset, the BC women lost their first game since November and their first home loss since 2013. Northeastern built a 2-0 lead. BC fought back to cut it to 2-1 but never we able to get that second goal. The loss is disappointing, but the streak should be respected. It was a great run and this team will probably start another one soon.

The Men's team -- hoping to bounce back from the Beanpot -- lost 6-3 to Merrimack.

Hockey bounces back against UMass

After the frustrating series with BU earlier in the week, BC Hockey needed a decisive win. They got one. BC built an early lead and never looked back. They also controlled and limited UMass's shots. The guys are off for a few days and then take on UConn Tuesday.

That's how ya respond. Six different goal scorers give the #BCEagles another two points in the @hockey_east standings. See you Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/0c1Vnje5qR

— BC Hockey (@BCHockey) January 21, 2017

Hoops win, Hockey loses

Basketball took care of Dartmouth Saturday. Robinson led the way with 27 points. Dartmouth is not a good team, but every win helps. BC was able to control early and never really feel threatened. BC takes on another Ivy League team Wednesday night.

The Men's Hockey team had a huge game Saturday night. They took on North Dakota at Madison Square Garden. BC just had trouble scoring and were behind more most of the game. Even a late surge late in the game wasn't enough. The team has a few days to regroup before Northeastern on Tuesday night.

Report: BC and North Dakota planning MSG game

It is good to be a BC fan in New York. New Yorker Eagles have been able to see the football and basketball teams locally numerous times. Now it looks like they will be able to see Hockey at Madison Square Garden. According to multiple reports, BC and North Dakota are in the final stages of scheduling a game the the New York arena in December 2016. 

The game should do well at the box office. North Dakota fans are known for traveling and BC showed they could sell ticket in New York. Plus the hardcore BC Hockey fans will make a trip of it to see BC play in the famous arena. Confirmation of the game should come during this upcoming hockey season. 

Hockey take game one from ND

BC took an early lead against Notre Dame and then held on for the final two periods for a critical 2-0 victory. McChosen and Tuch scored the goals and Demko made 35 saves. The two teams meet again on Saturday.

Some clarification on the @hockey_east picture - If BC wins and BU loses tomorrow, the Eagles and Terriers will be CO-Hockey East champions.

— BC Hockey (@BCHockeyNews) February 28, 2015

Men's Hockey losses to Maine and other links

The Men's Hockey team came back down to Earth Sunday, losing to Maine 4-2.

The Women's Hockey team shutout Vermont.

Women's Basketball lost to Syracuse.

The Heights got a statement from BC regarding the Cost of Attendance issue:

“Boston College is concerned with continuing to pass legislation that increases expenses when the vast majority of schools are already institutionally subsidized. The consequence of such legislation could ultimately hurt student-athletes if / when programs are cut.
This legislation further segregates student-athletes from the general student population by increasing aid without need-based consideration. Legislation already exists for student-athletes in need through pell grants and the student-assistance fund. We have concerns that the Federal Financial aid formula is sufficiently ambiguous that adjustments for recruiting advantage will take place.”

I still think BC will end up doing what every other school does.

Hockey continues unbeaten streak and other links

After a tie on Friday night against Northeastern, BC rallied to beat the Huskies 4-2 Saturday. They are unbeaten in their last seven.

The Women's Basketball team had a rough day in a lopsided loss to Notre Dame. 

This is from last week, but Football Study Hall put together some stats from the Pinstripe Bowl. The advanced stats state that Penn State should have won comfortably.

The Heights took a look at BC's potential role in Boston's Olympic bid.

Hockey win Ledyard Classic and other links

The Hockey team defeated Dartmouth -- in Dartmouth's own tournament -- to win the Ledyard Classic.

Andy Gallik accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. He is probably BC's best chance of having a player drafted this year.

Future Eagle Michael Walker was a Finalist for Offensive Player of the Year in his region in Florida.

For those who missed it, here is the obituary for former Eagle Clarence Cannon.

Women's Basketball lost to Miami.

Hockey crushes Michigan (back on track?)

The first half of the season raised a bunch of questions. A big win Saturday night against Michigan gives hope that maybe the growing pains are behind them. The scoring burst was key, but don't overlook Demko. He saved 41 shots. It was his career best. The team is off now through the holidays. That might blunt the momentum of tonight, but this shows they can be dominant.

Hockey snaps losing streak with win over Michigan State

Nothing helps a team's (and its fanbase's) confidence then picking up a big road win. Hockey defeated Michigan State 3-2 Friday. The win was York's 501st at BC. The victory ties him with Snooks Kelley for most at BC. 

BC will look to turn this win into a streak when they take on UMass Friday.

Mixed night for Hockey

After a disastrous night Friday, the BC Men's team bounced back and evened their series with Notre Dame. Gaudreau led the way with two goals and two assists as BC beat the Irish 4-2. The teams will play Sunday afternoon to see who advances in the Hockey East Tournament.

The news wasn't as good for the BC Women. They lost to Clarkson 3-1. The loss eliminated the Eagles from the NCAA Tournament.

Hockey wins; Let's not talk about Basketball

Despite playing on the road on a Tuesday night, the Hockey team beat Merrimack 4-1. Gaudreau kept his scoring streak alive and the team extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games.

Back at home things weren't as good. Basketball hosted a terrible Georgia Tech team in front of a lot of empty seats at Conte. Did they build on their recent momentum? Did they jump on a bad team? Did Hanlan build off of his career day against the Jackets? Of course not. Instead they played some of the worst D we've seen in the Donahue era and fell way behind. Lonnie Jackson got hot in the second half to make it interesting, but BC faded (again) and lost by 8. It was terrible loss on many fronts. I will have more on it in the coming days.

VCU thumps Hoops and other links

Basketball employed a 2-3 zone for much of the first half against VCU and it worked. However, in the second half things fell apart. VCU kept breaking down our sets before we could get into the 2-3 and the rebounding was terrible. There is so much wrong right now, I don't know where to start. We've all sat throw disappointing BC teams and seasons, but I can't recall one BC team -- in any sport -- that regressed so much from one season to the next.

Addazio picked up another decommit. NJ Lineman Austin Stevens flipped from Kansas to BC.

The Hockey team crushed Penn State.

With Westbrook going down for a few weeks, Reggie Jackson's productivity and scoring should go up.

Support the BC Hockey Toy Drive Friday Night

The BC Hockey team is hosting its annual Toy Drive this Friday. You can bring the toys to the Holy Cross game. If you cannot make it, the team will also be collecting toys before the UNH game December 6. All toys should be new and unwrapped. The Drive benefits patients at Boston Children's Hospital.

Marge Kelley passes and other weekend news

Marge Kelley -- the wife of legendary BC Hockey coach "Snooks" Kelley -- passed away over the weekend. There is no online obituary yet, but condolences quickly spread among the BC Hockey community. Marge was instrumental in the success of the program as she served as a mother figure to many of the boys on the team. She has kept a connection to the program through the years. She will be missed.

Hockey played Minnesota twice over the weekend. Things looked promising during tense tie on Friday. Sunday's loss was more lopsided.

Former Eagle Sean Flaherty wrote an article about BC's social media for MIT.

Kenpom released his first ratings of the season and BC debuted 37th.

Women's soccer beat Maryland 1-0.

Georgia Tech defeated Volleyball.

Hockey crushes RPI and other links

The Hockey team quickly bounced back from their disappointment in Michigan to thrash RPI 7-2 at Conte on Sunday. Seven guys scored and Demko had 25 saves. The team faces Wisconsin this Friday.

The BC men and BC women's soccer teams both lost to UNC over the weekend (men | women)

Even with our impressive showing, AA and HD still don't have us bowling. I am not worried. If we get to six wins, we will go somewhere. And doesn't everyone feel pretty good about our chances to get three more wins?

You might have missed this last week, but CBS's Jon Rothstein was at Basketball practice last week and tweeted out a series of quotes and observations about BC. Donahue had a lot to say. It is worth scrolling back through Rothstein's timeline to read the entries.

This isn't BC-specific but I thought TCU's attendance issues should be on our radar. The school has had BCS-level success lately and renovated their stadium, but remains a private school in a big Metro market. I don't know if there is a specific lesson for BC, but I don't think we should expand capacity when we renovate Alumni.