The fourth-seeded Boston College Eagles captured their league-best eighth tournament championship with a 4-0 victory over the third-seeded University of Vermont Catamounts. It is the Eagles' second consecutive tournament title and third in four seasons.
In the first period, Vermont had the better of the offensive chances, but BC freshman netminder John Muse continued his spectacular play, making 13 saves. The Catamounts were able to get nine Grade-A scoring chances, but Muse was up to the task, stopping Jack Downing right on the doorstep at the nine-minute mark and making a spectacular right pad save on Colin Vock at the 12-minute mark.
"I thought our first 10 to 15 minutes was the best hockey our team has played all year offensively," said UVM head coach Kevin Sneddon. "We found ourselves in odd-man rushes, which I know Boston College doesn't give up too many of those; when we did have those opportunities we needed to capitalize. I really think that made the difference in the game."
After another great save by Muse on UVM's Brian Roloff at the 16:26 mark, BC got on the board two minutes later when sophomore center Ben Smith knocked home Carl Sneep's blast from the point. Junior winger Nathan Gerbe cut into the offensive zone and found Sneep at the right point. Sneep fired a shot on net that broke through UVM goaltender Joe Fallon, and Smith was able to knock it home for his 21st goal of the year.
"John Muse played extremely well early in the contest otherwise it could have been a different scenario," said BC coach Jerry York. "Heading into the second period with a 1-0 was strictly a goaltending performance by John that had us at that position, because I thought it could have easily been 3-1."
The Eagles got their legs back under them and came out flying in the second period. Just before the five-minute mark, freshman forward Brian Gibbons got a good shot on Fallon off a rebound from a Smith shot.
On the ensuing faceoff, the puck bounced around in front of the Vermont net and found its way out to the point and onto the stick of Tim Kunes, who snapped a shot that beat Fallon blocker side to give the Eagles a two-goal advantage.
2008 Woodie Awards
