Sunday, March 25, 2012

NCAA Regional Semis 2012 - St. Paul, MN

7-3 L. That doesn't reflect the way the game truly went. That doesn't reflect the way this team's postseason has been going. That doesn't reflect how the second half of the year played out. That doesn't even remotely reflect the amount of heart needed to get this far.

In mid December, you could've stuck a fork in this team. Most BU hockey fans I'm sure remember hearing the awful news in the middle of the night. We barely had time to think about that before we lost another. It was just another two months later when we would lose our third.

Coming out of that seems ridiculous. Nobody would've been surprised to see us fold. People didn't expect much. I'm not sure the team expected much. But look how far we've come. After not making the NCAA tournament two years in a row, the boys were back in it. They faced some tough competition and despite the score, they certainly looked like they belonged. Belonged all the way out in Minnesota. In a sea of gold. In the "region of doom" (thanks Peters).

Now that's what heart does. All of us hockey fans know that and can see that. We've been calling it the whole time. The whole second half of the season we saw a change. From the little things like Ben Rosen giving up his spot in the exhibition game to help Parker find another center to the big things like Alex Chiasson turning down the penalty minutes to an almost undistinguishable amount. We were able to witness a team coming together right before our eyes.

But here's something you don't hear talked about every day - Team Dog Pound.

Like I've said, I've only been at this school for two years, seen two seasons of hockey from 118. But this season things have been miles ahead of where they were.

It took just a simple BC game to rally us all. A game when a few of us decided to take a T trip out and root on the boys in enemy territory. It exploded after that. We've all been a part of that and we've all contributed to that, we've all made this student section a force to be reckoned with.

This season may be over, but that doesn't mean jack for what we've established. It's not the end of an incredible upturn in The Dog Pound.

So to the new class of 2016 - get ready for this. Some of you know BU hockey like the back of your hand having grown up around the city. Some of you probably don't even know what hockey is. But I promise you, you will have the time of your life if you get in with The Dog Pound now. Trust me, just one game and you'll be hooked. Soon you'll want to experience what's beyond Agganis, what's beyond the Beanpot. Hell, you might even be one of those crazy kids that takes a trip to Minnesota one fine March weekend. Also remember that you are as vital to this group as any. You've got creativity and you can use it, you better use it. Whether you make the choice to sit in 118 or 108, this is going to be your new home.

To the soon to be sophomores, juniors, and seniors - don't stop here. Either this is all you know or this is the best of what you know. That infectious energy is here, don't lose it. This is a whole new ball game now. We're revamped and revitalized but we sure as hell aren't done. Take what we've got and run with it. Now that we know bus trips are possible (speaking of which, BU Athletics, the Dean of Students, and the BU Hockey organization have done so much for us this year - can't even express how grateful I am for that), let's keep it going. Let's keep using the commuter rail, zip cars, and whatever stupid ideas we come up with (let's take an RV to Maine, go undercover if you will). This is a turning point and it's us that are going to keep it going.

To the two months until graduation seniors - thank you, thank you, thank you. Couldn't say it enough. You've had the 2009 experience. But you wouldn't stop at anything to make sure everyone around you had the same chances at that experience.  You've seen the absolute highs and the absolute lows and you've used that as fuel to make your last year here your best. If you were in the band and spent extra time in the band room this year to play Go BU for literally the 8 millionth time just to make sure it was good as it could be - thank you. If you were one of those people that attended everything and supported BU until your throat was shot and your hands red from clapping - thank you. If you were one of those people that hadn't even seen the inside of Agganis until this year but found a new life in it - thank you. And if you were one of those rare people that gave up your time, your car, your money, whatever it was to make sure the rest of us could get to the games with you - thank you beyond belief. Now get the hell out of our sections and go find new ones. We're not kicking you out for good, but trust us - you've left this place in good hands.


One last one - thank you BU Men's Ice Hockey 2011-2012. I won't lie, I've always been the Mike Eurzione, Chris Drury, old school BU hockey lover. More recently, I wished I was here for Kevin Shattenkirk in the Scarlet and White, for Matt Gilroy becoming a BU hero. I could be disappointed with what I've gotten, but that's not it at all. I bet you no one expected to get what they got out of this team. The new freshmen who have so much potential and who now deserve to wear this program's uniform. The somewhat idiotic sophomore defensemen who we all love so dearly even though they may see the inside of the sin bin more than the ice. The junior class who has come out of nowhere to be the glue of this program this year and the hope for next year. And finally, the seniors. Kevin Gilroy, Ross Gaudet, Ryan Ruikka, Grant Rollheiser, Kieran Millan, and Chris Connolly - thank you. I'm so thankful I've had the chance to watch you all. Forget the past standouts, the individuals that "defined" BU hockey - we got a full-fledged Scarlet and White monster. And a special thanks to Chris Connolly for reminding us all why we go to this school, why we go to these games. Why we spend ridiculous amounts on jerseys, tickets, and transportation. Nothing can match the heart you, as a two year Captain, brought in with you from Duluth, MN in 2008. The fact that you wear the uniform always makes it easy to be a BU fan.


The season may be over, but here's to counting down the days until October 2012.
Bleed Scarlet.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Boston University Women's Ice Hockey

We've all heard the stories about Miami. About the comeback. About the 2009 National Championship. Some of us were there, some of us at home, some of us completely oblivious to the fact that our future school was dominating in the Division I Men's Ice Hockey world. Yesterday at the 2012 Women's Hockey East Championships, I was with two people that were in DC that night. And with 7.3 seconds left in the third period, they exploded. One of those people even said "I didn't even react like that in 2009."

For those of you living underneath a rock, yesterday the Boston University Women's Ice Hockey team captured their second Hockey East title and their third straight bid into the NCAA tournament. That's cool. Even cooler when you consider the program's only been a division I sport since the '05-'06 season.

But better than '09? Better than the two goal epic comeback, the overtime win? Can a conference title, one goal epic comeback, double overtime win really top that?

I can't fairly debate on that, but here's what I can fairly tell you: yesterday was the most gut wrenching and gratifying winning of college hockey hardware I've ever witnessed personally.


I've said this a million times before, but this team is the most emotional team I've ever watched. When it comes to hockey, you generally have 20 some odd guys using their strength and their senses to win games. In college, those 20 some odd guys are generally anywhere from 18 to 23 years old (unless you're Merrimack, which I just double checked - not a single guy born after '91, get those dudes some walkers). And when it comes to women, well, yeah. You've got an emotional as all hell group of people.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you women's college ice hockey. The most captivating games you'll ever see.

I don't want to discredit our men's team here, because I do get into those games. But not all of them. And when they lose, not often does my stomach drop and I fall silent. Most of the time I'm pointing out mistakes, a lack of focus, or the other's team's overwhelming desire to want it more. Yet every women's game I've been to - not just the Beanpot, not just the Frozen Four, every last one - I've been devastated after a loss. Think NHL playoff hockey heartbreak. Because without a doubt I can say those girls put every last ounce of energy into that game and put their wills through a rough three plus periods.

The other day I was reading a book about the 1980 Olympic team and I found this awesome quote from Mark Johnson on women's hockey and why he decided not to switch to coaching the men's team at Wisconsin when he had the chance:

"There was another, underlying part of it, too. I've coached two of the last four [men's] world championship teams, and NHL players. When a guy is making six, seven, eight million dollars a year, you can coach him, but are you teaching him, influencing him? On the men's side, if you're dealing with football, basketball, hockey, in the back of those kids' minds, they want to play for money one day. And that changes the parameters of a lot of things that we deal with, especially with the money that's out there now. On the women's side, their dreams are playing on the national team, in the Olympics. They're here for the right reasons. It's like when we played. Their dreams are similar to what ours were."

That literally sums it up perfectly and will carry more credibility than what I could ever say. But let me just add that I'm grateful I get to watch a team - a true team - remain intact and develop over four years. For most, this is as high up as they're going. And they aren't going to waste it.

And when these girls aren't laying it all on the line on ice, they're being great human beings off of it.

Today I went to offer my congratulations to a few players. I just wanted to give them the thumbs up and then walk away. But after they said thank you, they then went on a five minute spiel about how they wouldn't have won if it wasn't for the fan support, for people like me showing up. They talked about how much they genuinely appreciate noise and energy and how much that transfers. And let's not forget that yesterday after they won, they took their championship pictures along the boards - with the band in the back. They stick salute, win or lose. They honest to god love every last scarlet and white clad student that shows up to a game. And that's why it's incredibly easy to be a fan of this team.


But here's the thing - when I came back to Boston and came back on campus this morning, it was fairly lack luster in the spirit department. No, I'm not calling for the duck boats and I know our basketball teams had a tough weekend, but some people did not know the women's ice hockey team won yesterday. People that SHOULD know.

Here's the deal, we're at a point in the season where it's genuinely hard to make it to games and I get that. The next game is in Ithaca and then (knock on wood) the next two would be in Duluth. I doubt any of the usual hockey fan students can make it out to those, and I understand that.

But god damn, show some support back home. This team thrives off of it and they deserve it. If you aren't comprehending how legitimately good this team is, get your head checked. This semester all anyone can talk about that's hockey related is the men's team's drama. Guess what, the women have their own shit and have overcome it with flying colors. Try losing an Olympian for months to injury, a senior for the year due to a concussion, and a captain for a month while she's competing in Canada. They did that, they got over it. They've owned BC (something we can all get behind) all season. They've got players who have set records, scored hat tricks, and been honored as the best of the best. They just spent their Sunday beating a goaltender who made a record number of saves throughout a Hockey East tournament. Last year they were the first ever Hockey East team to make it to the National Championship title game.

Seriously, a little bit of spirit and a "good luck" is all it takes. They take everything to heart and they play with that. Without that goal on Sunday with 7.3 seconds left in the third, the game wouldn't have gone into over time, they wouldn't have won. Without the will power and heart of the team, that goal with 7.3 seconds left wouldn't have been scored. Without fan support, that will power would've been less - a lot less.

So get your act together. I know this season is coming to a close, but next year is right around the corner. And so is every damn year after that. This team has come from being a club team to being the best of the best in division I in such a short time. You've got to be able to appreciate that. And if you want a good game, all it takes is coming to one of the women's.


I know someone's going to try and tell me I'm going all feminist on them with this blog post, to which I say go ahead. Don't be hatin' because my women's team keeps melting your face off day in and day out.