January 31, 2024 • 21 mins
NESN play-by-play broadcaster Tyler Murray joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk about last weekend's home-and-home series between Boston College and Boston University, their Beanpot rematch, Hockey East this season, and that conference's playoff race.
This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four, April 11 and 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit ncaa.com/mfrozenfour
This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four, April 11 and 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit ncaa.com/mfrozenfour
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Episode Transcript
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(00:03):
Usccho dot com. Welcome to UscchoSpotlight for Wednesday, January thirty first,
twenty twenty four. This podcast issponsored by the NCAA Men's Division one Frozen
(00:24):
four April eleventh and thirteenth at XcelEnergy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Visit NCAA dot com slash m Frozenfour to get your tickets today. Big
matchups over the weekend between BC andBU Home and Home and the Beanpot coming
up. Have a lot of eyesturned toward Hockey East and joining us on
(00:45):
us Echo Spotlight. A good friendof mine, a partner of mine in
many ways on the hockeys Games ofthe Week on NSSEN, Tyler Murray one
of the lead voices on that network. Tyler, you got to call arguably
the biggest series that's been played inby four years. Number one Boston University,
(01:06):
number two Boston College at the time. They've now switched spots a little
bit, but how great was itto be on that broadcast for two nights.
It was phenomenal And Jimmy and Nathanks so much for having me on.
You know, one of those gamesyou feelucky to be in the building,
let alone being able to broadcast itwith my main man, Jim Connolly.
But man, did BC just jumpoff the page in so many different
(01:30):
ways. I don't think BU playedterribly. J Pandolfo kind of say we
were okay, could have been better. But it's the theme of the week
leading up to it was both coachessaid, we can't give the other guys
any kind of opportunities. They'll makeus pay. It was BC who kept
cashing in on the clutch opportunities,whether it was freshman or I guess you
(01:51):
can call them a veteran cut negotiatejust in year two, a lot of
their high end skill for BC thatreally made the difference. Did you notice
as you kind of hit on thatthe the one hundred foot game? You
know, hockey is a two hundredfoot game, but when you turn the
puck over at centa ice it youknow, it becomes a shorter game.
And I felt like BC the abilityto capitalize, but you don't see it
(02:13):
that often. You don't realize howquick B seek and counterattack. And maybe
it wasn't a hundred foot pass,maybe it was one hundred and fifty foot
foot that they had to go fromone end to the other, But they
were really jumping on every mistake,and especially that freshman line that their passing
ability at the ability, the abilityto make a team pay it shoot out.
(02:37):
I think the perfect example is BU. I think they had about a
four on two breakout with a chanceto tie. Jacob Fowler, who was
an absolute star, makes a hugekick save. He kicks it so hard
it goes through the blue line rightinto Will Smith's grasp. He's often running
two on one with Yaka Bankston.They play give and go and he rips
one home from the circle and atthat point it's essentially over. Does prove
(03:00):
to be the game winning goal,but you're just going from all right,
Bill, my tie it to thisgame is over in the blink of an
eye. And that's exactly the kindof speed and skill that BC brings,
and you can match it almost everyline. But I think maybe you saw
BC show just a little bit ofseparation on the high high end and how
much depth they tend to have inthat top six. It was pretty impressive.
(03:22):
I want to ask you more becauseyou see this league night in night
out. We were talking before weget on the broadcast of a mean obviously
a very impressive team that. Youknow, we might not have seen enough
of it at this point, thosethat watched the league, those that watched
nationally, even you haven't seen aton of the main Black Bears. But
(03:45):
they are really a team. They'redifferent than maybe three four years ago.
They're certainly different than even a yearago. What do you like about this
main team? It was funny wewere talking to UMAs coach Greg Carhole this
week and he's of course admired whathis former pro Ben Barr has done taken
over his first head coach job.Carvel's quote was, Yeah, Ben Barr's
doing what we did in Amherst.He got a first round pick and he's
(04:06):
making the most of it. SoCraig Carvell of course for U Mass and
then the Nan Dooz, Bradley andJosh for Maine. It's a matter of
the structure and culture that Ben Barrhas been able to implement there so quickly,
and then you get that high endskill. How many times when we
did a main game do we say, man, that Linden Breen guy is
(04:27):
really really good, but he's carryingsuch a heavy load. If you lock
him down, is there an opportunityto beat Maine? Even in that tough
bar and and a lot of timesyeah that was the case. But now
Linden Breen's on the line with thesetwo Nadoo brothers who seem to know where
everybody where their counterparts are. Itkind of feels a little bit like that
BC line where you have the teamUSA kids who just know where each other
are going to be because they've playedeach other for so long. So you
(04:49):
have a mistake free, deep talentedteam that does have that high end scoring
in Maine. And because they've gotthree games in hand on BC, four
games in hand on BU, andthey haven't lost a home game all year,
they might be the sleeping giant rightnow in Hockey East, sitting right
in that third spot everyone looking atBU and BC. Maine doesn't have to
play those two teams anymore. It'snever easy in Hockey East, but they
(05:10):
have I don't want to call ita favorable schedule, but there's an opportunity
for Maine to really keep creeping upon those two Boston teams. I guess
that's where I wanted to go withthe next question. Do you feel like
it is now a three horse race? Is it only Maine, BC and
BU at this point only because Ihave so much respect for Providence. I
want to keep them in that conversationand U Mass as well. I mean,
when U Mass is clicking, they'vegot a record number of NHL draft
(05:33):
picks. If Michael Robbell is athis best, I think he's as tough
as any goaltender in Hockey East,even just as a freshman. We remember
Providence. It was they were theteam that knocked BC out of the number
one spot just a few weeks ago. It was a home win for Providence,
but they were trailing BC in thethird period. That's usually a done
deal this year, even for thetop teams in the country. They come
(05:55):
back to win that game over theEagles, and I think that's something they
can hang their head on for awhile. We've I've seen Alaska do this
the last couple of years a lotof Hockey East teams. You beat Alaska
on the first night, then youthink, okay, we're good to go,
and then Anchorage just comes back andgives you a tough second night.
So that wasn't a good moment forProvidence. But I think that's just a
speedbump, So don't count out Providencethere I mean they're time right now with
(06:16):
U Mass entering the weekend anyway atnumber ten in the pairwise, So I'm
still very much excited about those twoteams. But sure, if you say
there's a top three and it's BCBUand Maine, I got no problem with
that either. And the Hockey Eaststandings are pretty deceiving if you first look
at them without looking at how manygames teams have played. You have both
you Mass and New Hampshire still withinstriking distance of home ice because they've got
(06:44):
four games in hand each. Whatabout those teams not so much on the
national picture, but You Mass inNew Hampshire playing into getting into the top
part of Hockey East down the stretch. Yeah, I mean in Northeastern after
upsetting Bus, they're not that faraway from getting into that same conversation after
a nightmare start. But Yukon,if had they pulled off an upset in
(07:05):
Connecticut ice over Quinnipiac, they're backin the pairwise conversation. They wind up
losing four to three. But UNHhas been so fascinating this year because,
as you guys know, you canride an early season upset in the pairwise
for a while they got two ofthem, be You and Quinnipiac back in
October, and even though they're playingabout five hundred hockey the last couple of
(07:27):
weeks, UNH is still right onthat bubble. The issue is they've been
dominating in shots lately, but ithasn't translated into wins. That UNH ran
into really hot goal attending against Yukonand Vermont where they doubled up Vermont in
shots but lost and they outshot Yukonby twenty and lost, And yeah,
you probably outplayed the opposition, butyou're coming away with two wins and two
losses and the pairwise just does notcare about how well you shot that day.
(07:50):
So keeping an eye on you UNH. Obviously they can right all those
wrongs if they can upset be Youagain, But could be a tough spot,
of course, with the Terriers hungryto snap a three game losing streak
all of a sudden. When BUentered that streak with only four losses all
year. Now let's talk a littlebit about BU. Are they licking their
wounds a little bit? And youknow, first you lose to BC,
(08:11):
you expect those are going to betough. But then overtime loss last night
to Northeastern. Uh, they're goingto face BC again in the first round
of the bean Pot on Monday.I expect to see a BU team that
comes up pretty hungry. What doyou look forward to in that matchup in
the garden? I mean any matchupyou put together in the garden that I'm
looking forward to. It ed,But just to have BU and BC the
(08:33):
primetime game on bean Pop Monday.It should be a civic holiday. But
that's okay, we'll work on that. I think it's a matter of can
you kind of get it out ofyour head that, man, we played
okay, but BC still got usthe three posts and even later in the
third period on Friday, a coupleof missed opportunities that could have tied a
two to one game that winds upbeing a four to one loss with a
(08:54):
couple of empty net goals, andyou just kind of shake it off that
BC has had our number so farthis year. And I think they can
a lot of ice time, ashas been well documented for Lane Hudson,
can they maybe with this pretty heavybusy schedule lately, can they manage that
at all? On Friday against youand h do they care to manage that
against you? Ooh, because he'sone of the best two way blue liners
(09:16):
in the country. I'm not sure, but it was good to see Macklin
Celabrini get back in the goal columnon the power play on Tuesday against Northeastern.
That was a big goal as theycame back from two goals down.
He really didn't have many opportunities beingwatched by cutter Gochier all weekend, who
really broke out in a defensive wayfor Boston College. So let's see if
Celabrini can build some momentum because theyneed him. I mean, he's seventeen
(09:39):
years old. He's the youngest playerin college hockey. You don't want to
have to rely on a kid essentially, but look, I mean he's the
reason people have b who still asone of the very best teams in the
country. So a one point weekendagainst BC disappointing for him. Look for
him to bounce back, I thinkin a big way in a really big
stage at ted Garden, and youcan't look back teams. BC has a
(10:01):
kind of a down year for Lowell, but they have Lowell coming up on
Friday and can't look past the Riverhood. That's the truth. That's the definition
of what Hockey East has always been. But especially this year, if you
overlook a team, they're going tomake you pay. And UMass Lowell is
the ultimate team that you cannot overlook. Is it's one big win could really
turn things around for you. Maybethat's what Norm Bezen has in mind for
(10:24):
his team this weekend. More withnesson broadcaster Tyler Murray in a Moment.
This podcast is sponsored by the NCAAMen's Division one Frozen four April eleventh and
thirteenth, twenty twenty four at XLEnergy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
(10:45):
Where are my hockey fans at?Welcome to fandom one oh one. It's
in CAA Ice Hockey Championship time whenthe hottest teams in the country face off
under one group. Be there tosee your squad hoist the ultimate trophy.
Overhead Men's Frozen Pool, April eleventhand thirteen in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Attendance is encouraged, Passion is mandatory. Viruses Today at NCAA dot Com slash
(11:11):
Improzen Pool Class dismissed back with TylerMurray, the crowds home and home this
past weekend were absolutely spectacular. I'myou were right immersed in the environment just
watching it. We could see it, and it seems like attendance nationally is
(11:33):
up and interest in the college hockeygame is up. We've seen the impact
of the World Juniors and mentioning allthe college players there. This is going
to be a softball because I'm teeingit up for you. But aren't we
in kind of a golden age ofcollege hockey right now? I can't.
I can't disagree. It's been phenomenaland for Boston College, our guy Eric
(11:56):
Alante just is a great job callingtheir games at Connie Forum. He keeps
reminding us that the last time BCwas number one with Spencer Night and Alex
Newhook, no fans were allowed inthe building. So you could say there's
a build up, a carryover fromhow exciting that team was to how maybe
even more exciting this team is andhaving fans who lined up what was it,
(12:18):
Jimmy one o'clock. The students werelining up outside Connie Forum, but
to get in for a seven o'clockgame. I have not seen anything like
that in a long time for collegehockey. So really impressed by BC's fans,
and then again it's gets sold outthe very next day. And it
was a tough one for those fansto get into because BC went up to
nothing in the first half of thefirst period, but once it got close
(12:39):
down the strutch, they were goingnuts. And not even to mention a
couple weeks, we're going to getthe border battle un H against Maine,
which some people think might be thecraziest crowds you could possibly have in Hockey
East. So yes, it makesour job very easy. It makes it
a lot of fun because you letthe game do the talking, you let
the fans do the talking, andthey're doing a whole lot of it this
year. And that u n Hmain series has been sold out for weeks.
(13:03):
I think they were talking about beingsold out when Maine was in the
Ledgard Bank Classic at the end ofDecember. One more question I got to
ask you, Hockey East single eliminationthroughout Is that a good thing? Is
that a bad thing? What arethe arguments on that one? Well,
the arguments from people in our positionis well, you get paid per game,
(13:26):
so three game quarter final series isin the worst of it was so
much better right. I absolutely lovethat every team gets in and that it's
single elimination. And I know thatyou could argue it delegitimizes the regular season
of every team's getting in, butno, everyone is fighting I think more
than anything for a buy out ofthat first round. So you only have
(13:48):
to play one game and it's athome for the top four teams to get
to the garden when anything can happenand remembered. Hockey East is the only
college hockey conference in the country thathosts a semi final in championship on an
NHL sheet and an NHL rink.It's really really special in Hockey East and
it's it's a good example this year. I mean a slow start for Northeastern
(14:09):
last year, slow start for youand h those two teams are on the
doorstep, but get into the gardenbecause they had the carrot at the end
of the year. Hey, ifwe get out at the right time,
right in it and it keeps ateam like bu who starts red hot,
keeps them honest. You don't wantto fall too far behind because no one's
just going to let you run awaywith this regular season. So I think
it's phenomenal It's eleven teams loaded withtalent, and I think they all deserve
(14:31):
to have a cracket playing on anNHL rink at the end of the year.
I'm gonna put you a little biton the spot spot here all question.
We know BC, b U,and Maine all probably make the tournament.
So we now have Providence, wenow have View Mass and we have
you and H as teams that havebeen around that pair of wise bubble all
(14:54):
season long. I'm not going tosay that one has to miss it,
but if one had to miss it, do you have one team that you
think might be heading in that direction? Obviously you and H is on the
wrong side of the of the pairwiseledger right now, But is that your
team? Do you feel like thiswhen you're looking at other schedules there's one
(15:16):
team that has the tougher schedule thatmight might get compromised. Yeah, you
hit on it. It probably isyou and H. If nothing else,
just because of that schedule. Bu'scoming up, then they have Boston College
three times. Guys, and Idon't care if you're the Anaheim Ducks this
year. BC is going to bea tough, tough team to be Okay,
they're really good. They got Mainein two games. They're at home.
(15:39):
Of course, those sellouts we talkedabout, so you don't hate that.
But the home and home with UMass and then the end of season
with the home and home against Lowell, who, as we keep saying,
gives everybody a tough game. ButI mean, yeah, they have to
play Boston College three more times downthe stretch, so if you're going on
schedule alone, it's an uphill battlefor you and H. No question but
that they have earned the right tobe in the conversation because of what a
great year this has been for thewildcat Their fans should be stoked, and
(16:02):
I know they are because they're packingthe place every night. I will give
you one more tough dark Corse question. A team that might not get a
first round by and it could beyou and H at this point. It
could be a lot of teams atthis point, but a team that might
not get a first round by thatstill might make the garden. Ooh,
that's a very good one. I'mreally impressed with what Steve Wheedler has done
in a quick transition to lead theVermont Catamounts. They're always a tough out.
(16:26):
But right now, if Northeastern staysas one of those teams who has
to play in the first round,I mean, looked at how many other
teams have BU and BC this year, Jimmy, that's they might be the
only one. So Jerry Keith,he always seems to find a way.
I mean, he was a partof that Gym Matigan coaching staff where I
mean they got off to one ofthe worst starts ever, they finished with
one of their best finishes ever.They know how to flip the switch.
(16:48):
Everyone was kind of waiting for Northeasternto finally get healthy. No one thinks
that Devin Levi can just be copypasted into a Cameron whitehead. But some
of the plays made last night,Cameron White had starting to prove that he
very much belongs in kind of thatlong resume of great goaltending they've had at
Matthew's arena. So yeah, Imean, if Northeastern has two wins all
(17:11):
year but they're against BU and BC, yeah, sure, they're a dark
horse for me. Yes, here, you are predictable. I could have
predicted that was good. That's good. That's good. I mean we're on
the same page. Tyler Murray Weappreciate every time you come on. We
always have a good conversation about HockeyEast. But thank you. Enjoy the
rest of the season. There's alot of great hockey left to be played
(17:33):
in Hockey's I can't wait to seeit at rink very soon. Jim,
have a great call on Friday,and thanks a lot for the time,
guys. That's Tyler Murray from NessenJim. What an exciting race. It's
going to be down to the finishin Hockey East a deceiving one. As
I mentioned, with some teams withfour games in hand, BCBU, Northeastern
(17:56):
get a couple of weeks where they'vegot the bean pot. But this really
looks like about half the teams inthe league can still vie for the top
spot. I think that's actually truein terms of math. I think in
terms of who will fight for it, I think the conversation we had about
BCBU and Maine, those are probablythe three teams that are really in the
(18:17):
race. I do think the raceis, you know, that race to
get to top four and get thebuy Well top five, to get the
buy top four to get home icein the second round, and then that
race to get you know, somewherenot in the bottom three spots, so
you get that home ice spot inthe first round. That those you know,
(18:37):
six, seven, eight will bereally critical spots, and I think
you know that's where you really youhave to think about those games as very
meaningful because if you get through thosegames at home, say that you're the
number six seed, you get throughit at home, then you go to
play in the number three seed,and there's not a lot of difference between
the number three and the number six. So if you get to, you
(18:59):
know, win a game at homeas the number six seed and then advance,
that's you probably feel good about yourself. You probably feel like you played
a playoff game. You're a littlebit more weathered. I guess it's the
word, and that you've gotten intothat environment a little bit more that I
think one of the hardest things issustaining that buy and then coming out energized
(19:21):
in the first game, the firstperiod of the first game. So I
think that's one of the most difficultthings ever. In these tournaments where you
have some buys, especially when yougo down to single elimination, people who
market college hockey have got to behappy to see Boston College in Boston University
back near the top. Right now, if the top four made the Frozen
(19:42):
fourd BBC, North Dakota, BUand Wisconsin, with Maine, Denver and
Michigan State on the outside looking inbut very close behind, it feels like
the good old days have come backin a way oh so much. And
I'm not saying that I love it. I really enjoyed the day is when
we didn't see the traditional teams inthe Frozen Four, and it was okay,
(20:04):
you know, seeing a team likeWinnipeac, seeing Union there, seeing
Yale there and seeing them all winnational championships was very special. But there
is something to be said about havingyou know, Michigan, Michigan State,
maybe b U, b C,Maine, Wisconsin, North Dakota, all
(20:25):
those teams that are brand names,they're they're the part of college hockey.
Everyone knows those are the teams wewant to see. And I left out
Minnesota. How did I leave outMinnesota or all of that, All of
those teams, you know, thoseeight all should be It feels like they
should always be in a Frozen four. But you know, that's why we
(20:45):
why we play the game. Theparody in this game is a lot of
fun. We're now just returning tomaybe the days of old a little bit.
This podcast is sponsored by the NCAAMen's Division One. Frozen four April
eleventh and thirteenth at Excel Energy Centerin Saint Paul, Minnesota. Visit NCAA
dot com slash m Frozen four toget your seats. For Jim Conley,
(21:08):
I'm Ed Trevsker and this has beenus h O Spotlight
Usccho dot com. Welcome to UscchoSpotlight for Wednesday, January thirty first,
twenty twenty four. This podcast issponsored by the NCAA Men's Division one Frozen
(00:24):
four April eleventh and thirteenth at XcelEnergy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Visit NCAA dot com slash m Frozenfour to get your tickets today. Big
matchups over the weekend between BC andBU Home and Home and the Beanpot coming
up. Have a lot of eyesturned toward Hockey East and joining us on
(00:45):
us Echo Spotlight. A good friendof mine, a partner of mine in
many ways on the hockeys Games ofthe Week on NSSEN, Tyler Murray one
of the lead voices on that network. Tyler, you got to call arguably
the biggest series that's been played inby four years. Number one Boston University,
(01:06):
number two Boston College at the time. They've now switched spots a little
bit, but how great was itto be on that broadcast for two nights.
It was phenomenal And Jimmy and Nathanks so much for having me on.
You know, one of those gamesyou feelucky to be in the building,
let alone being able to broadcast itwith my main man, Jim Connolly.
But man, did BC just jumpoff the page in so many different
(01:30):
ways. I don't think BU playedterribly. J Pandolfo kind of say we
were okay, could have been better. But it's the theme of the week
leading up to it was both coachessaid, we can't give the other guys
any kind of opportunities. They'll makeus pay. It was BC who kept
cashing in on the clutch opportunities,whether it was freshman or I guess you
(01:51):
can call them a veteran cut negotiatejust in year two, a lot of
their high end skill for BC thatreally made the difference. Did you notice
as you kind of hit on thatthe the one hundred foot game? You
know, hockey is a two hundredfoot game, but when you turn the
puck over at centa ice it youknow, it becomes a shorter game.
And I felt like BC the abilityto capitalize, but you don't see it
(02:13):
that often. You don't realize howquick B seek and counterattack. And maybe
it wasn't a hundred foot pass,maybe it was one hundred and fifty foot
foot that they had to go fromone end to the other, But they
were really jumping on every mistake,and especially that freshman line that their passing
ability at the ability, the abilityto make a team pay it shoot out.
(02:37):
I think the perfect example is BU. I think they had about a
four on two breakout with a chanceto tie. Jacob Fowler, who was
an absolute star, makes a hugekick save. He kicks it so hard
it goes through the blue line rightinto Will Smith's grasp. He's often running
two on one with Yaka Bankston.They play give and go and he rips
one home from the circle and atthat point it's essentially over. Does prove
(03:00):
to be the game winning goal,but you're just going from all right,
Bill, my tie it to thisgame is over in the blink of an
eye. And that's exactly the kindof speed and skill that BC brings,
and you can match it almost everyline. But I think maybe you saw
BC show just a little bit ofseparation on the high high end and how
much depth they tend to have inthat top six. It was pretty impressive.
(03:22):
I want to ask you more becauseyou see this league night in night
out. We were talking before weget on the broadcast of a mean obviously
a very impressive team that. Youknow, we might not have seen enough
of it at this point, thosethat watched the league, those that watched
nationally, even you haven't seen aton of the main Black Bears. But
(03:45):
they are really a team. They'redifferent than maybe three four years ago.
They're certainly different than even a yearago. What do you like about this
main team? It was funny wewere talking to UMAs coach Greg Carhole this
week and he's of course admired whathis former pro Ben Barr has done taken
over his first head coach job.Carvel's quote was, Yeah, Ben Barr's
doing what we did in Amherst.He got a first round pick and he's
(04:06):
making the most of it. SoCraig Carvell of course for U Mass and
then the Nan Dooz, Bradley andJosh for Maine. It's a matter of
the structure and culture that Ben Barrhas been able to implement there so quickly,
and then you get that high endskill. How many times when we
did a main game do we say, man, that Linden Breen guy is
(04:27):
really really good, but he's carryingsuch a heavy load. If you lock
him down, is there an opportunityto beat Maine? Even in that tough
bar and and a lot of timesyeah that was the case. But now
Linden Breen's on the line with thesetwo Nadoo brothers who seem to know where
everybody where their counterparts are. Itkind of feels a little bit like that
BC line where you have the teamUSA kids who just know where each other
are going to be because they've playedeach other for so long. So you
(04:49):
have a mistake free, deep talentedteam that does have that high end scoring
in Maine. And because they've gotthree games in hand on BC, four
games in hand on BU, andthey haven't lost a home game all year,
they might be the sleeping giant rightnow in Hockey East, sitting right
in that third spot everyone looking atBU and BC. Maine doesn't have to
play those two teams anymore. It'snever easy in Hockey East, but they
(05:10):
have I don't want to call ita favorable schedule, but there's an opportunity
for Maine to really keep creeping upon those two Boston teams. I guess
that's where I wanted to go withthe next question. Do you feel like
it is now a three horse race? Is it only Maine, BC and
BU at this point only because Ihave so much respect for Providence. I
want to keep them in that conversationand U Mass as well. I mean,
when U Mass is clicking, they'vegot a record number of NHL draft
(05:33):
picks. If Michael Robbell is athis best, I think he's as tough
as any goaltender in Hockey East,even just as a freshman. We remember
Providence. It was they were theteam that knocked BC out of the number
one spot just a few weeks ago. It was a home win for Providence,
but they were trailing BC in thethird period. That's usually a done
deal this year, even for thetop teams in the country. They come
(05:55):
back to win that game over theEagles, and I think that's something they
can hang their head on for awhile. We've I've seen Alaska do this
the last couple of years a lotof Hockey East teams. You beat Alaska
on the first night, then youthink, okay, we're good to go,
and then Anchorage just comes back andgives you a tough second night.
So that wasn't a good moment forProvidence. But I think that's just a
speedbump, So don't count out Providencethere I mean they're time right now with
(06:16):
U Mass entering the weekend anyway atnumber ten in the pairwise, So I'm
still very much excited about those twoteams. But sure, if you say
there's a top three and it's BCBUand Maine, I got no problem with
that either. And the Hockey Eaststandings are pretty deceiving if you first look
at them without looking at how manygames teams have played. You have both
you Mass and New Hampshire still withinstriking distance of home ice because they've got
(06:44):
four games in hand each. Whatabout those teams not so much on the
national picture, but You Mass inNew Hampshire playing into getting into the top
part of Hockey East down the stretch. Yeah, I mean in Northeastern after
upsetting Bus, they're not that faraway from getting into that same conversation after
a nightmare start. But Yukon,if had they pulled off an upset in
(07:05):
Connecticut ice over Quinnipiac, they're backin the pairwise conversation. They wind up
losing four to three. But UNHhas been so fascinating this year because,
as you guys know, you canride an early season upset in the pairwise
for a while they got two ofthem, be You and Quinnipiac back in
October, and even though they're playingabout five hundred hockey the last couple of
(07:27):
weeks, UNH is still right onthat bubble. The issue is they've been
dominating in shots lately, but ithasn't translated into wins. That UNH ran
into really hot goal attending against Yukonand Vermont where they doubled up Vermont in
shots but lost and they outshot Yukonby twenty and lost, And yeah,
you probably outplayed the opposition, butyou're coming away with two wins and two
losses and the pairwise just does notcare about how well you shot that day.
(07:50):
So keeping an eye on you UNH. Obviously they can right all those
wrongs if they can upset be Youagain, But could be a tough spot,
of course, with the Terriers hungryto snap a three game losing streak
all of a sudden. When BUentered that streak with only four losses all
year. Now let's talk a littlebit about BU. Are they licking their
wounds a little bit? And youknow, first you lose to BC,
(08:11):
you expect those are going to betough. But then overtime loss last night
to Northeastern. Uh, they're goingto face BC again in the first round
of the bean Pot on Monday.I expect to see a BU team that
comes up pretty hungry. What doyou look forward to in that matchup in
the garden? I mean any matchupyou put together in the garden that I'm
looking forward to. It ed,But just to have BU and BC the
(08:33):
primetime game on bean Pop Monday.It should be a civic holiday. But
that's okay, we'll work on that. I think it's a matter of can
you kind of get it out ofyour head that, man, we played
okay, but BC still got usthe three posts and even later in the
third period on Friday, a coupleof missed opportunities that could have tied a
two to one game that winds upbeing a four to one loss with a
(08:54):
couple of empty net goals, andyou just kind of shake it off that
BC has had our number so farthis year. And I think they can
a lot of ice time, ashas been well documented for Lane Hudson,
can they maybe with this pretty heavybusy schedule lately, can they manage that
at all? On Friday against youand h do they care to manage that
against you? Ooh, because he'sone of the best two way blue liners
(09:16):
in the country. I'm not sure, but it was good to see Macklin
Celabrini get back in the goal columnon the power play on Tuesday against Northeastern.
That was a big goal as theycame back from two goals down.
He really didn't have many opportunities beingwatched by cutter Gochier all weekend, who
really broke out in a defensive wayfor Boston College. So let's see if
Celabrini can build some momentum because theyneed him. I mean, he's seventeen
(09:39):
years old. He's the youngest playerin college hockey. You don't want to
have to rely on a kid essentially, but look, I mean he's the
reason people have b who still asone of the very best teams in the
country. So a one point weekendagainst BC disappointing for him. Look for
him to bounce back, I thinkin a big way in a really big
stage at ted Garden, and youcan't look back teams. BC has a
(10:01):
kind of a down year for Lowell, but they have Lowell coming up on
Friday and can't look past the Riverhood. That's the truth. That's the definition
of what Hockey East has always been. But especially this year, if you
overlook a team, they're going tomake you pay. And UMass Lowell is
the ultimate team that you cannot overlook. Is it's one big win could really
turn things around for you. Maybethat's what Norm Bezen has in mind for
(10:24):
his team this weekend. More withnesson broadcaster Tyler Murray in a Moment.
This podcast is sponsored by the NCAAMen's Division one Frozen four April eleventh and
thirteenth, twenty twenty four at XLEnergy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
(10:45):
Where are my hockey fans at?Welcome to fandom one oh one. It's
in CAA Ice Hockey Championship time whenthe hottest teams in the country face off
under one group. Be there tosee your squad hoist the ultimate trophy.
Overhead Men's Frozen Pool, April eleventhand thirteen in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Attendance is encouraged, Passion is mandatory. Viruses Today at NCAA dot Com slash
(11:11):
Improzen Pool Class dismissed back with TylerMurray, the crowds home and home this
past weekend were absolutely spectacular. I'myou were right immersed in the environment just
watching it. We could see it, and it seems like attendance nationally is
(11:33):
up and interest in the college hockeygame is up. We've seen the impact
of the World Juniors and mentioning allthe college players there. This is going
to be a softball because I'm teeingit up for you. But aren't we
in kind of a golden age ofcollege hockey right now? I can't.
I can't disagree. It's been phenomenaland for Boston College, our guy Eric
(11:56):
Alante just is a great job callingtheir games at Connie Forum. He keeps
reminding us that the last time BCwas number one with Spencer Night and Alex
Newhook, no fans were allowed inthe building. So you could say there's
a build up, a carryover fromhow exciting that team was to how maybe
even more exciting this team is andhaving fans who lined up what was it,
(12:18):
Jimmy one o'clock. The students werelining up outside Connie Forum, but
to get in for a seven o'clockgame. I have not seen anything like
that in a long time for collegehockey. So really impressed by BC's fans,
and then again it's gets sold outthe very next day. And it
was a tough one for those fansto get into because BC went up to
nothing in the first half of thefirst period, but once it got close
(12:39):
down the strutch, they were goingnuts. And not even to mention a
couple weeks, we're going to getthe border battle un H against Maine,
which some people think might be thecraziest crowds you could possibly have in Hockey
East. So yes, it makesour job very easy. It makes it
a lot of fun because you letthe game do the talking, you let
the fans do the talking, andthey're doing a whole lot of it this
year. And that u n Hmain series has been sold out for weeks.
(13:03):
I think they were talking about beingsold out when Maine was in the
Ledgard Bank Classic at the end ofDecember. One more question I got to
ask you, Hockey East single eliminationthroughout Is that a good thing? Is
that a bad thing? What arethe arguments on that one? Well,
the arguments from people in our positionis well, you get paid per game,
(13:26):
so three game quarter final series isin the worst of it was so
much better right. I absolutely lovethat every team gets in and that it's
single elimination. And I know thatyou could argue it delegitimizes the regular season
of every team's getting in, butno, everyone is fighting I think more
than anything for a buy out ofthat first round. So you only have
(13:48):
to play one game and it's athome for the top four teams to get
to the garden when anything can happenand remembered. Hockey East is the only
college hockey conference in the country thathosts a semi final in championship on an
NHL sheet and an NHL rink.It's really really special in Hockey East and
it's it's a good example this year. I mean a slow start for Northeastern
(14:09):
last year, slow start for youand h those two teams are on the
doorstep, but get into the gardenbecause they had the carrot at the end
of the year. Hey, ifwe get out at the right time,
right in it and it keeps ateam like bu who starts red hot,
keeps them honest. You don't wantto fall too far behind because no one's
just going to let you run awaywith this regular season. So I think
it's phenomenal It's eleven teams loaded withtalent, and I think they all deserve
(14:31):
to have a cracket playing on anNHL rink at the end of the year.
I'm gonna put you a little biton the spot spot here all question.
We know BC, b U,and Maine all probably make the tournament.
So we now have Providence, wenow have View Mass and we have
you and H as teams that havebeen around that pair of wise bubble all
(14:54):
season long. I'm not going tosay that one has to miss it,
but if one had to miss it, do you have one team that you
think might be heading in that direction? Obviously you and H is on the
wrong side of the of the pairwiseledger right now, But is that your
team? Do you feel like thiswhen you're looking at other schedules there's one
(15:16):
team that has the tougher schedule thatmight might get compromised. Yeah, you
hit on it. It probably isyou and H. If nothing else,
just because of that schedule. Bu'scoming up, then they have Boston College
three times. Guys, and Idon't care if you're the Anaheim Ducks this
year. BC is going to bea tough, tough team to be Okay,
they're really good. They got Mainein two games. They're at home.
(15:39):
Of course, those sellouts we talkedabout, so you don't hate that.
But the home and home with UMass and then the end of season
with the home and home against Lowell, who, as we keep saying,
gives everybody a tough game. ButI mean, yeah, they have to
play Boston College three more times downthe stretch, so if you're going on
schedule alone, it's an uphill battlefor you and H. No question but
that they have earned the right tobe in the conversation because of what a
great year this has been for thewildcat Their fans should be stoked, and
(16:02):
I know they are because they're packingthe place every night. I will give
you one more tough dark Corse question. A team that might not get a
first round by and it could beyou and H at this point. It
could be a lot of teams atthis point, but a team that might
not get a first round by thatstill might make the garden. Ooh,
that's a very good one. I'mreally impressed with what Steve Wheedler has done
in a quick transition to lead theVermont Catamounts. They're always a tough out.
(16:26):
But right now, if Northeastern staysas one of those teams who has
to play in the first round,I mean, looked at how many other
teams have BU and BC this year, Jimmy, that's they might be the
only one. So Jerry Keith,he always seems to find a way.
I mean, he was a partof that Gym Matigan coaching staff where I
mean they got off to one ofthe worst starts ever, they finished with
one of their best finishes ever.They know how to flip the switch.
(16:48):
Everyone was kind of waiting for Northeasternto finally get healthy. No one thinks
that Devin Levi can just be copypasted into a Cameron whitehead. But some
of the plays made last night,Cameron White had starting to prove that he
very much belongs in kind of thatlong resume of great goaltending they've had at
Matthew's arena. So yeah, Imean, if Northeastern has two wins all
(17:11):
year but they're against BU and BC, yeah, sure, they're a dark
horse for me. Yes, here, you are predictable. I could have
predicted that was good. That's good. That's good. I mean we're on
the same page. Tyler Murray Weappreciate every time you come on. We
always have a good conversation about HockeyEast. But thank you. Enjoy the
rest of the season. There's alot of great hockey left to be played
(17:33):
in Hockey's I can't wait to seeit at rink very soon. Jim,
have a great call on Friday,and thanks a lot for the time,
guys. That's Tyler Murray from NessenJim. What an exciting race. It's
going to be down to the finishin Hockey East a deceiving one. As
I mentioned, with some teams withfour games in hand, BCBU, Northeastern
(17:56):
get a couple of weeks where they'vegot the bean pot. But this really
looks like about half the teams inthe league can still vie for the top
spot. I think that's actually truein terms of math. I think in
terms of who will fight for it, I think the conversation we had about
BCBU and Maine, those are probablythe three teams that are really in the
(18:17):
race. I do think the raceis, you know, that race to
get to top four and get thebuy Well top five, to get the
buy top four to get home icein the second round, and then that
race to get you know, somewherenot in the bottom three spots, so
you get that home ice spot inthe first round. That those you know,
(18:37):
six, seven, eight will bereally critical spots, and I think
you know that's where you really youhave to think about those games as very
meaningful because if you get through thosegames at home, say that you're the
number six seed, you get throughit at home, then you go to
play in the number three seed,and there's not a lot of difference between
the number three and the number six. So if you get to, you
(18:59):
know, win a game at homeas the number six seed and then advance,
that's you probably feel good about yourself. You probably feel like you played
a playoff game. You're a littlebit more weathered. I guess it's the
word, and that you've gotten intothat environment a little bit more that I
think one of the hardest things issustaining that buy and then coming out energized
(19:21):
in the first game, the firstperiod of the first game. So I
think that's one of the most difficultthings ever. In these tournaments where you
have some buys, especially when yougo down to single elimination, people who
market college hockey have got to behappy to see Boston College in Boston University
back near the top. Right now, if the top four made the Frozen
(19:42):
fourd BBC, North Dakota, BUand Wisconsin, with Maine, Denver and
Michigan State on the outside looking inbut very close behind, it feels like
the good old days have come backin a way oh so much. And
I'm not saying that I love it. I really enjoyed the day is when
we didn't see the traditional teams inthe Frozen Four, and it was okay,
(20:04):
you know, seeing a team likeWinnipeac, seeing Union there, seeing
Yale there and seeing them all winnational championships was very special. But there
is something to be said about havingyou know, Michigan, Michigan State,
maybe b U, b C,Maine, Wisconsin, North Dakota, all
(20:25):
those teams that are brand names,they're they're the part of college hockey.
Everyone knows those are the teams wewant to see. And I left out
Minnesota. How did I leave outMinnesota or all of that, All of
those teams, you know, thoseeight all should be It feels like they
should always be in a Frozen four. But you know, that's why we
(20:45):
why we play the game. Theparody in this game is a lot of
fun. We're now just returning tomaybe the days of old a little bit.
This podcast is sponsored by the NCAAMen's Division One. Frozen four April
eleventh and thirteenth at Excel Energy Centerin Saint Paul, Minnesota. Visit NCAA
dot com slash m Frozen four toget your seats. For Jim Conley,
(21:08):
I'm Ed Trevsker and this has beenus h O Spotlight
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