Light the Lamp #2 – Black Bear Down
By: Scott Geyman
If you have not already checked out the debut of Light the Lamp, read it here!
Five goals scored. Five 10-minute game misconducts. Two games played. One opponent. Zero goals against. If this doesn’t sum up #2 Boston College’s weekend sweep against the University of Maine Black Bears, I don’t know what will. This conference series featured a penalty shot, a goaltender in the penalty box, and the nation’s best goaltender (unfortunately, he did not spend time in the penalty box, but he made it onto SportsCenter).
In an effort to maintain consistency among future posts, Light the Lamp has released a brand new logo, designed by yours truly. Also, this week will feature some of your tweets in order to keep the readers engaged. As always, tweet us your thoughts on Boston College hockey at @WZBCSports. Let’s begin.
@WZBCSports is Thatcher Demko a human? Like from this planet?
— Casey Hague (@HaguerBombs) November 10, 2015
Thatcher the Puck Snatcher
Word on campus is that Thatcher Demko is an alien from Mars, but research has yet to prove that fact. For now, let’s say he is of the human race and was born near the beaches of San Diego, CA. His six shutouts in seven games tie the NCAA record. His league leading 0.67 goals against average is almost unheard of, especially in the competitive Hockey East conference. His finesse is in tip-top shape after recovering from hip surgery in the offseason. Demko finally looks comfortable in the crease, which is something fans did not see during his freshman year and parts of his sophomore year. Is this tremendous success sustainable? Probably not, but the consistency in his game, his return to 100% health, and winning two consecutive Hockey East Player of the Week awards surely have made an impact on the team.
https://twitter.com/anthonyiati/status/663830501434724353
Freshman Phenom
The sample size is small, but it would be demeaning to call Colin White’s performance less than phenomenal. One of two freshman recruited from the highly touted United States National Team Development Program, a program known for producing future NHL talent (Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel), the 2015 first-round draft pick of the Ottawa Senators has displayed that he is fully capable of playing on both the power play and the penalty kill. White knows how to control the game, riding a four-game point streak, including eight points in the last three games. Combined with his ability to be physical in the corners, this kid is a forward that every coach dreams of having in the lineup.
The Great Santini
Junior defenseman Steve Santini looks dominant as ever. After suffering a wrist injury four games into his sophomore campaign, Santini came back in January stronger and ready to complete unfinished business as the Eagles’ only defensive defenseman. Continuing that grit this season, Santini has stepped up in more ways than one. In addition to being named alternate captain, he proved he is able to contribute offensively with his snipe of a goal in the first bout with Maine. This offensive production is more than welcomed, as Boston College lost two of its most dynamic offensive defenseman in Michael Matheson (AHL – Portland Pirates) and Noah Hanifin (NHL – Carolina Hurricanes) to the pros in the offseason. Fifteen shots on goal through nine games is respectable, and the Eagles would love to see what Santini can provide in the future.
This is Sparta!
The Eagles welcome the Michigan State Spartans to Conte Forum tonight at 7pm. The Spartans, coached by Tom Anastos (father of Boston College women’s hockey junior forward Andie Anastos), skate into town with a 4-3-1 record, placing them second in the Big Ten Conference behind the cross-state rival Michigan Wolverines. Be sure to tune into the game on WZBC 90.3FM, or stream the broadcast online. Meanwhile, check out Anthony Iati’s preview of tonight’s matchup here.
That does it for week two of Light the Lamp. Stay tuned for week three next Friday!