Boston College Off-Season Thread: 2012 National Champions

[BigMike60]

Oh yeah, one other thing. This team was the best I saw all year at working the half-boards and end boards. They were like Honey Badgers [to use a visual image], just relentless and hard working. It was clear in every game I saw late in the season and the playoffs. Just relentless and it almost always paid off. Blue collar work, but effective.

[Jacques Joubert]

it was good. definitely the biggest crowd in a frozen four for the BC contingent. probably werent as loud as the FSU fans - but its hard to say because the entire arena, save the BC fans, were pulling for ferris. it was like a tampa home game when they scored.

always fun to shut up an entire arena like that.

Can't fault the neutral fans for rooting for the underdog. Miami(OH) had pretty much the entire rink in 2009. Also nice to quiet them,

[AdamBC]

I'm really looking forward to the parade. Gotta bust out of work early.

[Eaglefan06]

I assume 2010 was dominated by Wisconsin fans. How was 2008? Nationally, ND is hated (and loved) by more people than BC is. 2001 was great because it was in Albany. One day, BC is going to win a national title in Boston over a non-eastern team Would love to be a part of that scene.

2008 the BC crowd was probably only 3 corner sections of the Pepsi Center big. Michigan and Notre Dame both certainly dwarfed BC, but Denver isn't exactly a "destination" like Tampa (it snowed on Thursday and Friday) and BC was by far the furthest away.

Small in size, but pretty loud.

[carltonbarrett]

So what are everyone's expectations for next year? We'll obviously be set in net and I think we'll be able to reload at Forward, but I could definitely see some growing pains on D if Dumoulin splits. And what about Mark Begert; I thought he'd see more time this year but after one game, York had apparently seen enough and put him on the shelf the rest of the season.

[lewylew]

Congrats BC!! You guys were definitely the best team, hands down. Classy group to boot.

[SteveF]

I assume 2010 was dominated by Wisconsin fans. How was 2008? Nationally, ND is hated (and loved) by more people than BC is. 2001 was great because it was in Albany. One day, BC is going to win a national title in Boston over a non-eastern team Would love to be a part of that scene.

i dont have too many take aways from 2010 or 2008 crowds probably because BC got out to leads pretty early. the RIT fans were most loud during the 2010 semifinals but were 95% all gone for saturday and then wisconsin fans didnt have a lot to cheer about then. so i wouldnt say they dominated it. overally a pretty even keeled atmosphere for the final - the building was also huge so the sound was dulled.

same with 2008, BC's travelling base was really small but the rest of the crowd didnt make a whole lot of noise because notre dame was behind for most of the game. i do remember the north dakota people were obviously all behind the fighting irish and were doing their stupid hand motions during the band's constant songs. the late goal made things a little interesting for them but again i'd say it was a fairly unemotional crowd.

[Boston22]

How was the bc crowd in tampa?

There were more BC fans there than I thought there would be, especially students. Seeing it's Easter weekend, and all.

There was even the BC fan, Grant, who, when asked what BC player we should keep an eye on, by the hot in-game reporter, replied "Freshman phenom, number 13, Billy Gaudreau." Oops. The BC guys I talked to had a few laughs about that one.

[BCeagle]

So what are everyone's expectations for next year? We'll obviously be set in net and I think we'll be able to reload at Forward, but I could definitely see some growing pains on D if Dumoulin splits. And what about Mark Begert; I thought he'd see more time this year but after one game, York had apparently seen enough and put him on the shelf the rest of the season.

Definitely a rebuilding year with the seniors gone, and juniors like Kreider and Dumoulin are rumored to be good as gone, especially Kreider.

Big void in leadership with Tommy Cross, Paul Carey, and Barry Almeida gone. You lose that upper class leadership too with Kreider and the other upperclassman in Dumoulin.

Hopefully Mullane and Wey or someone can take over as leader with their experience. I don't see Whitney as a leader but maybe I'm wrong. Then you have Arnold, Hayes, MacLeod or Parker Milner but rarely are goalies selected as a captain.

Paul Carey really came on of late with some offense and ends up with around 18 goals. Really happy for him, great way to end a senior year. 2013 is the class that infuses more talent and skill into the roster.

[J.D.]

We're probably looking at a returning top six of Gaudreau, Mullane, Whitney, Arnold, Hayes and Straight. It's very difficult for me to put into words how much of a program "maintainer" Gaudreau is. He was such a difference maker in a day and age where I don't have great expectations for freshmen. For him to finish one point behind Kreider is remarkable. He truly is the ultimate x factor next year. York has some options as his top four centers should all be back.

No doubt that the questions will be on defense to start the year, but, it could be worse. Having three proven vets like Wey, Alber and MacLeod should go a long way.

They still do lose a lot of talent and it's been quite the turnover the last two years...but Gaudreau alone elevates my expectations for the team. If you look around Hockey East, I don't think you can point to one team being clearly better than BC on paper.

[TonyTheTiger20]

There was even the BC fan, Grant, who, when asked what BC player we should keep an eye on, by the hot in-game reporter, replied "Freshman phenom, number 13, Billy Gaudreau." Oops. The BC I talked to had a few laughs about that one.

I wasn't in Tampa...

[Brian Gentry]

Congrats to BC. Truly a golden age which shows no signs of ending.

[BCeagle]

Congrats to BC. Truly a golden age which shows no signs of ending.

Things change but we will enjoy it while it last. Next year, I don't know, lots of shoes to fill with all the players leaving including some key juniors like Kreider and Dumoulin.

BU had their run in the 70s with 3 NCs. In the 90s BU dominated with Maine and record string of Beanpots and a NC in the 90s. Nothing is a sure thing in life but we all love college hockey here. Thanks to all gracious fans here and looking forward to another season of college hockey in October.

[sterlippo1]

^^BCeagle is a class act. Another stat- can it be that the last PP goal allowed was to BU in the first Beanpot game?

[blackbearsfan45]

Congrats to BC!! Outstanding job, and brought the title back to Hockey East!! Way to go!!

[defkit]

Is Johnny Gaudreau in any way related to the former PC standout, Rob Gaudreau? I haven't heard any references, so I think not, but was just curious.

[Mook Williams]

I hope to go back and read this whole thread, when I get a minute, but what kind of blows me away today is that BC fans can now make an argument that was inconceivable when I was a freshman at BC in 94-95 (York's first year), watching our team get crushed almost every game, especially by the Terriers . . . objectively, we can now make the argument that BC Hockey has currently edged ahead of BU Hockey in terms of overall historical achievement. National titles now even at 5, and you can argue that BC breaks the tie with more Frozen Four appearances and more conference tourney titles. BU certainly has a few arguments to make on its behalf, but just the fact that a reasonable and (somewhat) objective argument can now be made in BC's favor is pretty incredible. Back when I was first starting at BC, there were some games where we probably had about 1000 people in Conte (or so I remember)!

I also have to tip my hats to the BU fans who I've seen posting lately in a very reasonable and civil manner. :P

See some of you at the Heights on Tuesday.

[Chris_NH]

I think there's a whole lot of hand-wringing going on elsewhere on Comm Ave. I think most BU observers are 'hoping' that Parker sees that a regime change is in order. Problem is, he would need to announce it now or else lock himself into another year or more. He's an iconic college hockey coach to be sure, but he has been eclipsed by York this entire decade. Imagine York's stature if BC had collected that 2007 trophy that practically everyone declared they would, all else being the same.

[Nick Papagiorgio]

I think there's a whole lot of hand-wringing going on elsewhere on Comm Ave. I think most BU observers are 'hoping' that Parker sees that a regime change is in order. Problem is, he would need to announce it now or else lock himself into another year or more. He's an iconic college hockey coach to be sure, but he has been eclipsed by York this entire decade. Imagine York's stature if BC had collected that 2007 trophy that practically everyone declared they would, all else being the same.

It's tough not to get greedy and feel like BC should have more. 1998 was another one where BC hit the crossbar, post, and then had a puck hop over Lephart's stick in OT.

At 4-4 in 8 title game appearances over this absurd run, it's tough to ask for more than .500 given the stiff competition by the time you get to this game. BUT, 2007 and 1998 stick out as missed opportunities they really could easily have taken home.

I'm thrilled with 5 for right now. And I think 6 is coming soon too!

[mookie1995]

I hope to go back and read this whole thread, when I get a minute, but what kind of blows me away today is that BC fans can now make an argument that was inconceivable when I was a freshman at BC in 94-95 (York's first year), watching our team get crushed almost every game, especially by the Terriers . . . objectively, we can now make the argument that BC Hockey has currently edged ahead of BU Hockey in terms of overall historical achievement. National titles now even at 5, and you can argue that BC breaks the tie with more Frozen Four appearances and more conference tourney titles. BU certainly has a few arguments to make on its behalf, but just the fact that a reasonable and (somewhat) objective argument can now be made in BC's favor is pretty incredible. Back when I was first starting at BC, there were some games where we probably had about 1000 people in Conte (or so I remember)!...

-slowly turns to window of 26th fl office.
Opens window.
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-splat-
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