Three Rivers Classic Preview

By Quinn Kelly

In just under an hour, Boston College will open up play in the Three Rivers Classic, squaring off against the team that ended their National Title bid last year, Quinnipiac.  Neither of these teams are the same teams that we saw last year in the Frozen Four.  BC obviously suffered one of its worst attrition rates from the program in history and Quinnipiac lost three of its top five scorers, including superstar Sam Anas.  That certainly won’t mean that there will be any love lost between these two teams, nor any less desire for some of the carry-over Eagles to at least partially redeem the loss to the Bobcats last year.

The Eagles will be particularly short-handed for the tournament, playing without Ryan Fitzgerald (who is still recovering from his ankle injury), and the host of players away on World Juniors duties, including the Mattila twins and Colin White, Casey Fitzgerald, and Joe Woll, who are currently in action versus Russia.  It’s always a tough time of year for the team, and the absence of Ryan Fitzgerald only makes it worse.  This team will be pressed to find scorers and will likely only roll five defenders, so the defensive and fatigue issues highlighted in the first half recap blog will be ever present tonight.

The key for the Eagles here is to find a way to walk out of the tournament with at least two points.  If they can’t scrounge a win against Quinnipiac, they’ll have to try their luck tomorrow night with either Ferris State or Robert Morris; two tough opponents in their own rights.

Look to Twitter for updates and news on the Eagles game tonight.  Let’s hope that the Eagles can overcome their absences and pick up a win or two to get the ball rolling here at the beginning of the second half.