EagleAction.com - The Preview: BC/Vermont

October 15, 2009

Kevin Edelson
EagleAction.com Staff Writer

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Boston College does not have an easy opening two games to their regular season visiting the No. 11 Catamounts this Sunday before a trip to South Bend to battle Notre Dame the following weekend.

Vermont has a slight advantage coming into their game with BC simply because they've already played two meaningful games. Vermont split with No. 1 Denver in Colorado last weekend, playing well in both contests.

Meanwhile, the Eagles' last game was a 6-3 victory over the U.S. Under-18 team on Friday. If BC is a little rusty on the first couple shifts, don't be surprised. That being said, let's break down the two teams and see how they matchup.

Forwards

With a 10-goal weekend in Denver, Vermont showed they could still put goals on the board despite losing their top two scorers from last season in Viktor Stalberg and Peter Lenes. Senior Brayden Irwin had two goals and two assists while junior Jack Downing came out of nowhere with a three point weekend. Before the season, head coach Kevin Sneddon said that Vermont would be productive with "scoring by committee," and so far that has been working to perfection.

While BC's offense has yet to play when it counts, the Eagles should be putting the conference on notice. They notched ten goals over the two exhibitions with several scorers contributed, including senior Matt Lombardi and sophomore Cam Atkinson.

Head coach Jerry York needs a better season from Joe Whitney, Ben Smith and Brian Gibbons (Sure, Gibbons was second on the team in scoring but only tied for 27th in Hockey East with 28 points). Along with the returnees, fans should be excited for freshman Chris Kreider, first round pick of the New York Rangers in this year's entry draft.

Edge: BC

Vermont showed they can score against the best last weekend, but BC has too much talent up front to be overlooked.

Defense

Vermont's strong suit this year will be along the blue-line, with all six top defenders from last year's National Semifinal team returning. Patrick Cullity is the only senior, but all eyes will be on juniors Dan Lawson and Josh Burrows. Both combined for a +34 and 33 points last season, and Burrows already has a goal and a +1 rating. The scoring won't come from the back end, but the Catamounts will look to their defense for stability and the ability to keep games close.

For the Eagles, the defense will be a work in progress. Gone from last year are Nick Petrecki, Tim Kunes, Tim Filangieri and Anthony Aiello. Carl Sneep is the lone returning senior and will need to anchor a very young group. Sophomore Tommy Cross has played well in the preseason and the Boston Bruins product will be a key component for York throughout the year.

Among the freshmen recruits is former NHLer Ulf Samuelsson's son Phillip Samuelsson, a draft choice of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Other freshman draftees on defense are Brian Dumoulin (Carolina) and Patrick Wey (Washington).

Edge: Vermont

The Eagles may have more raw talent, but the Catmounts have all the experience, which will count for a little more early in the season.

Goaltending

Vermont returns two potential starters in sophomore Rob Madore and senior Mike Spillane. Madore got the two starts in Denver, going 1-1 with a 4.55 GAA. Last season Madore took over for Spillane last season and went 15-10-4 with a 2.35 GAA and .912 save percentage. Spillane was no slouch either, though, notching a 2.88 GAA. Both should see time this season, though Madore will likely start against BC.

BC returns junior John Muse, who hit a sophomore slump after he won a national championship as a rookie. However, thanks to hip surgery in the offseason, Muse may be splitting time for the first time in two years.

Sophomore Chris Venti and freshman Parker Milner will likely see time, though expect to see Muse between the pipes against the Catamounts. If Muse remains healthy, he'll remain the starter, though York will try to keep his number one goalie as fresh as possible throughout the year.

Edge: Vermont

Madore is totally healthy and despite a slow start will want to have a good game in front of the home fans at Gutterson Field House.

Outlook:

Vermont has the more experienced team, and while BC has plenty of talent, the Catamounts should take care of business and win a close game. The outcome will depend heavily on how the young Eagles defense adapts to the pace of play and how Muse's body holds up. Prediction: Vermont, 3-2.

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