Northeast Regional Semifinal Preview and Picks
By: Casey Hague
Tonight in Worcester, Boston College and Beanpot foe Harvard will play to advance to the Northeast Regional Finals against Minnesota Duluth, who defeated the defending National Champion Providence Friars in double overtime. Boston College is coming off of a difficult 5-4 loss in the Hockey East Semifinals to Northeastern, whose Frozen Four dreams disappeared today after a thrashing by the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota, 6-2. Harvard has a lot to build off after a 4-1 loss in the ECAC Championship game against Quinnipiac, the number 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament.
The major key for BC tonight will be to avoid the penalty box. Penalties killed BC in their loss to Northeastern and as talented as BC’s offense is, it is difficult to score when they find themselves in the sin-bin and on the penalty kill. 14 BC players have appeared in a tournament game before, so look for the veteran leadership of Boston College to propel them forward.
For the team from the other side of the Charles River, the Crimson will need to find twine early to get Thatcher Demko out of his rhythm. Look for forwards Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Donato to factor into tonight’s game if Harvard wants to come out on top. BC won the only meeting between these teams this season in a 3-2 come-from-behind win in the Beanpot opener, so Harvard is looking for some revenge tonight.
Be sure to catch the game on WZBC Newton 90.3 FM or stream on wzbc.org beginning at 7:30 tonight. Quinn Kelley and Casey Hague will be at the DCU Center for puckdrop at 9:12. Conor Hawley will provide pregame, intermission and postgame analysis from the McElroy Station in Newton. The game will also be broadcast on ESPNU, in which case we suggest you turn down your TV volume and CRANK UP your radio.
Game Picks are provided by WZBC Sports Staff Members:
| Broadcaster | Winner | Score | Comments |
| Conor Hawley Junior, 1-0 |  | 3-1 | I’m going against the grain tonight. |
| Casey Hague Junior, 4-1 |  | 2-1 | It’s been four years since the last Boston College Men’s Hockey National Championship. After a difficult Football season, a tough Basketball season, and the Women’s Hockey team’s loss in their own National Championship game, there is a lot of pressure on this teams shoulder’s to succeed. They will begin their quest to the Frozen Four tonight with a fiery triumph over Harvard to show that they are no longer playing around. |
| Anthony Iati Junior, 4-2 | | 4-3 | |
| Andrew Kelley Junior, 5-1 | | 4-2 | I have a perfect bracket thus far and that will continue with BC. |
| Quinn Kelly Soph., 5-1 | | 4-3 | |
| Steve McAlee Soph., 5-1 | | 2-1 |