Looking For A Three-Peat

In last season's prestigious Beanpot Tournament championship game, the Boston College men's ice hockey team faced its toughest scoring game of the season with a final score of 7-6. After three back-and-forth periods with the Northeastern Huskies, the Eagles prevailed on an overtime goal from then-junior Jimmy Hayes.

This season, the two-time defending champions will face the Huskies in the opening round tonight. It will be the fourth time the two Hockey East teams have faced off this season. All three matchups saw the Eagles win by a one-goal margin, including the highly-anticipated Frozen Fenway game.

When asked about how this game should compare to the others, senior captain Tommy Cross was certain that it would be another tough contest.

"It's going to be the same thing," he said. "It'll be a tight game. It's going to be a battle. They have a very strong team, and they compete very hard. We're looking forward to playing them, and we're going to do our best to prepare for the game."

Head coach Jerry York shared this sentiment when asked about the two teams' tough play against one another.

"Northeastern's given us all kind of trouble this year when we've played them," he said.

One element necessary for the team to take its third straight title will be senior leadership. The team has relied on a strong mix of young talent and a veteran presence.

York has definitely seen this dynamic, and he credits the importance of the strong seniors to the team's success this season. In particular, he applauded Cross for his role on the squad.

"I think it's been very good," he said of the leadership. "It's been led by Tommy Cross, who's an outstanding player, but more importantly a valued leader in our program."

Cross, for his part, realizes how great of an honor it has been to not only play in the Beanpot, but having a chance to win it in three of his four years on the Heights.

"You just try to enjoy it and understand what a great privilege it is to be here," he said. "It's important not to take it for granted, because you realize that there are so many people in New England and all around the country who would love to be a part of something this special."

Another player who has stepped into a strong veteran role for the Eagles is fellow senior Paul Carey. Carey has racked up 13 points, but York was quick to point out that his biggest attribution comes from the confidence he gives his team as a leader.

"He's having his best year with us," York said. "I think the ‘A' on his sweater has helped him. I feel like he's developed into real leader for this team. I think that's had an effect on his game, defensively and offensively. I really like how he's playing this year.

"We ask him to be a role model for the younger players. I think he's developed that leadership. He's watched other captains, but right now he's been an excellent leader for us."

BC is coming off a home-and-home sweep of conference foe New Hampshire, and has had the whole week to prepare for its first round with the Huskies. This season has proven to be one of the most competitive in Hockey East history, and York emphasized that the league has definitely seen a dramatic growth this year.

"I think it's a very unusual situation," he said. "The dynamic has usually been two, maybe three teams. Now, there are a whole host of teams in contention."

York further pointed out that it doesn't necessarily take a specific type of team to win the Beanpot, although he said that goaltending and special teams were vital to tournament success.

"Each year's different, and each team's different," he said. "We like our team. We think we're getting better."

The Eagles look to win their 17th Beanpot title in a historic tournament season. It is the first year in which each team's head coach is leading his alma mater into the game. As the 60th tournament in Beanpot history, York and his team respect this as one of the premier competitions in all of college athletics.