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.
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