Column: Not Time To Panic About Hockey ... Yet

So this weekend's trip up to Maine was not a nice one for the men's hockey team. They lost both games in heartbreaking fashion, one in overtime and the other in the final three minutes of the third period. The Eagles now stand at 14-10-1, having gone 2-4-1 in their last seven games. And people are starting to search for the panic button.

I know the last month of hockey has been pretty disappointing, especially given the fact that Boston College started out so hot. But a little look at history will show that worrying about the Eagles at this point may be a little premature.

Way back two years ago during the 2009-2010 season, BC went through a rough stretch similar to this one. From Christmas to the start of the Beanpot, the team went 3-5. Their record from the Beanpot to the start of the Hockey East Tournament? 8-2-1. And oh yeah, they won the Beanpot in that stretch. Then they won the Hockey East Tournament. Then, they topped all that off by winning a little thing called the National Championship.

Now, I'm not saying that this 2011-2012 team is a surefire lock to win all of those trophies, including the big one at the end of the season. I am saying, though, that it's not time to panic with this team … yet.

Reason number one? Jerry York. Enough said. But seriously, if there is any coach in the country who can turn a struggling team around and get them ready for the home stretch of the schedule, it's York. He has done it time and time again with his teams, and there is no reason to believe that he can't do it again with this squad. When his team might be feeling the pressure of having to turn things around, York will serve as the calm and steadying influence to settle down his players.

Another reason not to panic is the power of the Beanpot. The annual hyped-up tournament at the Garden always seems to give the Eagles a big spark for the remainder of their season. BC has won it the last two years, and the aura of the Beanpot trophy has powered the Eagles to records of 8-2-1 and 7-1-1 in the home stretch of those seasons. Just saying.

Finally, it's hard to see this team tanking the rest of the season with the senior leadership it has. In addition to bringing their talent to the ice each day, captains Tommy Cross, Barry Almeida, and Paul Carey have been through three full seasons of the ups and downs of BC hockey. They realize that it's not always going to be pretty, especially after the Christmas break. During their time in Chestnut Hill, including this season, those seniors are 15-14-2 from Christmas to the start of the Beanpot, but 20-8-3 during the final home stretch.

Why is getting swept at Maine this past weekend a good thing? It's not, but it's not an awful thing either. It's never good to peak too soon. This team came out of the gates on fire to start the season, and now they are suffering through their post-Christmas hangover. If they can string a few wins together this weekend, especially with the Beanpot coming on the first two Mondays of February, the rest could be history.

Of course, there are a few kinks to be worked out before anybody starts talking about a national tournament run to Tampa. Who's the No. 1 goalie? That's up in the air right now, as Parker Milner, Brian Billett, and Chris Venti have all seen their share of action between the pipes. All of them have had their great moments, but none of them have clearly defined themselves as the top goalie. That's why this stretch of games will be key, with the hope that one of the three somehow starts to separate himself as the clear choice. Any success down the stretch will have to come with a solid goaltender, probably not a goalie by committee.

So yes, the last month of BC hockey has not been much to write home about, but it's not wasted hockey. It is hockey that York will make sure his team learns from. And it is hockey that may prove to be key down the home stretch. Let's hope so.