We’re more than four months from the start of the 2012-13 season, but here at Inside College Hockey we can’t resist casting our gaze toward the future. A lot can change between now and the drop of the puck in October, but that won’t keep us from rolling out our 10 For ’13 feature.

Over the next couple weeks, we’ll introduce you to the 10 players we’ve pegged as the top contenders for the 2013 Hobey Baker Award and take a closer look at 10 issues that will impact the upcoming season. First on the agenda, however, are our picks for the top 10 teams headed into coming season.

No.	Team	Of Note
1.	Minnesota	2011-12 record: 28-14-1, 20-8-0 WCHA Key returnees: Erik Haula, F, Jr. (20-29–49); Kyle Rau, F, So. (18-25–43); Nick Bjugstad, F, Jr. (25-17–42); Kyle Schmidt, D, Jr. (3-38–41) Key losses: Jake Hansen, F (16-22–38); Taylor Matson, F (8-15–23); Kent Patterson, G (28-14-1, 2.32, .907)
Assuming Bjugstad returns for his junior season instead of turning pro, the Gophers’ lineup will boast seven players who scored 20 or more points last season. Good thing they’ll score a ton, because Minnesota must break in a pair of untested goaltenders—junior Mike Shibrowski (20 career minutes played) and rookie Adam Wilcox, a South St. Paul, Minn., native who spent the last two seasons in the USHL with Green Bay and Tri-City.
2.	Michigan	2011-12 record: 24-13-4, 15-9-4-1 CCHA Key returnees: Alex Guptill, F, So. (16-17–33); A.J. Treais, F, Sr. (15-17–32); Phil Di Guiseppe, F, So. (11-15–26); Jon Merrill, D, Jr. (2-9–11) Key losses: David Wohlberg, F (16-17–33); Luke Glendening, F (10-11–21); Shawn Hunwick, G (24-12-3, 2.32, 2.00)
The returning cast is talented and deep, but it’s the newcomers who’ll draw the most attention from Wolverines fans early. U.S. NDTP defenseman Jacob Trouba is a sure-fire first-round pick in next month’s NHL Draft and could be among the first 10 players selected. Forward Cristoval “Boo” Nieves is a talented forward from the New England prep ranks likely to be chosen in the draft’s first two rounds. Then there’s U.S. NTDP goalie Jared Rutledge, the heir apparent to Shawn Hunwick.
3.	North Dakota	2011-12 record: 26-13-3, 16-11-1 WCHA Key returnees: Danny Kristo, F, Sr. (19-26–45); Corban Knight, F, Sr. (16-24–40); Carter Rowney, F, Sr. (18-15–33); Nick Mattson, D, So. (6-13–19) Key losses: Brock Nelson, F (28-19–47); Ben Blood, D (3-18–21); Mario Lamoureux, F (4-7–11)
As long as everyone doesn’t get hurt, it should be an exciting winter in Grand Forks. Kristo, Knight, and Rowney lead an attack that will benefit from the return of a healthy Rocco Grimaldi, and heralded freshman Jordan Schmaltz will round out an exceptional defensive corps. Goalie Aaron Dell was leaning toward turning pro this spring, but hasn’t signed. Even if he doesn’t return, NoDak’s goaltending should be in good hands with freshman Zane Gothberg and Alabama-Huntsville transfer Clarke Saunders.
4.	Union	2011-12 record: 26-8-7, 14-4-4 ECAC Hockey Key returnees: Troy Grosenick, G, Jr. (22-6-3, 1.65, .936); Daniel Carr, F, Jr. (20-20–40); Wayne Simpson, F, Sr. (18-13–31); Shayne Gostisbehere, D, So. (5-17–22) Key losses: Jeremy Welsh, F (27-17–44); Kelly Zajac, F (8-34–42); Nolan Julseth-White, D (0-4–4)
Within the ECAC Hockey ranks, last year’s performance by Union didn’t come as much of a surprise, but it certainly marked a bump in Union’s national profile. There are some key departures to address, most notably Welsh and his goal-scoring and defensemen Julseth-White and his leadership. However, there’s enough talent returning for the Dutchmen to make another run toward the Frozen Four and remain among the top-ranked teams in the country all season long. Hobey Baker finalist Grosenick returns in net and will have 10 forwards and five defensemen of the team’s regular lineup last year back in front of him.
5.	Western Michigan	2011-12 record: 21-14-6, 14-10-4-4 CCHA Key returnees: Chase Balisy, F, Jr. (13-24–37); Shane Berschbach, F, Jr. (10-22–32); Dan DeKeyser, D, Jr. (5-12–17); Frank Slubowski, G, So. (17-11-4, 2.03, .911) Key losses: Matt Tennyson, D (11-13–24); Greg Squires, F (8-11–19); Ian Slater, F (7-8–15)
First-year head coach Andy Murray kept the Western on the path Jeff Blashill forged, leading the Broncos to a second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth and the school’s first CCHA tournament title since 1986. This season looks just as promising. The team’s three leading scorers—forwards Balisy, Berschbach, and Dane Walters—are back. So, too, are five regulars from one of the country’s best collection of defensemen, led by Dan DeKyser and Luke Witkowski. Then there’s goalie Frank Slubowski, arguably the Broncos’ most valuable player from a year ago when, as a freshman, he posted a 2.03 goals against average and a .911 save percentage.
6.	Boston College	2011-12 record: 33-10-1, 19-7-1 Hockey East Key returnees: John Gaudreau, F, So. (21-23–44); Steven Whitney, F, Sr. (16-23–39); Bill Arnold, F, So. (17-19–36); Parker Milner, G, Sr. (29-5-0, 1.66, .937) Key losses: Chris Kreider, F (23-22–45); Brian Dumoulin, D (7-21–28); Barry Almeida, F (22-18–40)
The defending national champions are one of the elite programs in the nation and always have to deal with quality players leaving the program due to graduation or professional hockey opportunities. This year might have hurt more than most, but the Eagles are certainly still among the top teams in the country. We’re a little concerned about where some of the scoring might come from with Chris Kreider already joining the New York Rangers and the graduation of Barry Almeida and Paul Carey who combined to score 40 goals last year. Milner proved he’s one of the nation’s best goalies and might have to carry this team as it finds its way in the first half, but as usual, BC will be there in the end.
7.	Cornell	2011-12 record: 19-9-7, 12-4-6 ECAC Hockey Key returnees: Andy Iles, G, Jr. (19-9-7, 2.12, .919); Greg Miller, F, Sr. (14-17–31); Dustin Mowrey, F, Jr. (8-15–23); Nick D’Agostino, D, Sr. (8-12–20) Key losses: Sean Collins, F (13-13–26); Sean Whitney, D (2-9–11); Locke Jillson, F (7-3–10)
If the Big Red had been able to score on a crucial power play in the NCAA Midwest Regional final, it would have been Cornell instead of Ferris State in the Frozen Four. That near miss may serve as motivation, as it was a Big Red team that was still a year or two away from being its best. Standout goalie Iles will back a lineup that lost just four regulars among its 18 skaters, including eight of its nine leading scorers from the 2011-12 campaign. If last year’s stellar freshman class that included Brian Ferlin, Joakim Ryan, John McCarron, Joel Lowry and Cole Bardreau can take steps forward, this team will be a legitimate threat to Union’s reign atop ECAC Hockey and a player in the national picture.
8.	Wisconsin	2011-12 record: 17-18-2, 11-15-2 WCHA Key returnees: Mark Zengerle, F, Jr. (13-37–50); Michael Mersch, F, Jr. (14-16–30); Tyler Barnes, F, Jr. (11-15–26); Joel Rumpel, G, So. (12-12-2, 2.48, .919) Key losses: Eric Springer, D (1-4–5)
Here’s a change: it should be a quiet summer in Madison other than the expected departure of defenseman Justin Schultz, who’s likely to end up signing as a free agent with someone other than Anaheim, the team that drafted him in 2008. Zengerle very quietly turned in a 50-point season, and with classmates Mersch and Barnes lead a group of young forwards. Even without Schultz, the Badgers will be solid on the blue line; senior John Ramage won’t fill up the score sheet, but he’s a tough defensive defenseman. Rumpel seized the no. 1 goaltending job midway through the season, proving he deserved the nod by posting a 2.02 GAA and a .931 save percentage after Jan. 1.
9.	UMass Lowell	2011-12 record: 24-13-1, 17-9-1 Hockey East Key returnees: Riley Wetmore, F, Sr. (14-25–39); Scott Wilson, F, So. (16-22–38); Derek Arnold, F, Jr. (17-17–34); Doug Carr, G, Jr. (22-10-1, 2.13, .928) Key losses: Matt Ferreira, F (14-18–32); David Vallorani, F (10-19–29); Michael Budd, F (6-5–11)
One of the nation’s most pleasant surprises a year ago seems to have some staying power with a number of key players back to build on those successes. Most importantly, Carr and his four shutouts, 2.13 goals-against average and .928 save percentage, will be manning the nets in his junior season. Up front, Wilson was in the discussion among the best freshmen in the country after turning in a 16-goal, 38-point first year on campus. The River Hawks have their top three scorers back, and their top six defensemen in terms of games played.
10.	Notre Dame	2011-12 record: 19-18-3, 12-13-3-0 CCHA Key returnees: T.J. Tynan, F, Jr. (13-28–41); Anders Lee, F, Jr. (17-17–34); Austin Wuthrich, F, So. (7-10–17); Stephen Johns, D, Jr. (4-6–10) Key losses: Billy Maday, F (12-15–27); Riley Sheahan, F (9-16–25); Sean Lorenz, D (3-10–13)
Yeah, it was a dumpster fire of a season in South Bend last year and their goaltending is suspect, but the Fighting Irish are too talented to fail. You know what you’re gonna get from Tynan and Lee, Wuthrich showed promise as a freshman, and Jeff Costello, if healthy, gives Notre Dame a rugged, front-of-the-net presence. Throw in four incoming freshmen who might be the best collection of rookie forwards in the nation and a group of talented defensemen who struggled with consistency last season, and the pieces are there for the Irish to bounce back.

The NHL’s Central Scouting Service has released its final ranking of the top players eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The rankings list North American and European players separately, as well as separating goalies from skaters (forwards and defensemen).

The top-ranked player with college ties is U.S. National Team Development Program defenseman and Michigan recruit Jacob Trouba, who is ranked ninth. Others listed among the top 30 include Vermont recruit Zemgus Girgensons, a forward who currently plays for Dubuque of the United States Hockey League (18th); U.S. NTDP defenseman Brady Skjei, a Minnesota recruit (19th); Michigan forward Phil Di Giuseppi (22nd); Kent (Conn.) School forward Cristoval Nieves, a Michigan recruit (27th); U.S. NTDP forward and Wisconsin recruit Nick Kerdiles (29th); and Dubuque defenseman Mike Matheson (30th), who will head to Boston College in the fall.

The North American lists rank 210 skaters and 30 goalies, all of whom play in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to college players, the list features draft-eligible major junior players as well as a number of college-bound high school, prep, and junior players. The NHL Entry Draft takes place June 22-23 in Pittsburgh.

TAMPA, Fla. – Count me among the skeptics.

The trip to Tampa this year’s Frozen Four was a necessary evil. At least that’s what I had decided as the date approached. It’ll be hot and humid, and I’ll be sweaty and miserable. Outside of a few snowbirds and transplants from college hockey hotbeds, no one around here will care about the Frozen, especially with the Rays opening the baseball season with a series against the Yankees on the other side of the bay. And then Ferris State and Union qualify for the first time ever which, while great for the respective schools and college hockey as a whole, won’t generate heat in a non-traditional college hockey market.

Permanent venue? We think it works.

As has been the case more often than not this month (just look back at my NCAA picks), I was wrong.

Sure, there were empty seats for both Thursday’s semifinals and Saturday’s championship game, but the crowds have been enthusiastic. The Frozen Fest in the plaza just outside the Tampa Bay Times Forum was wall-to-wall-to-wall people prior to Saturday’s game. The weather has been great and fans to soak up the sun and enjoy the mild nights while taking in the sights in the area. The local media, especially the two daily newspapers here, have been terrific. There are signs trumpeting the Frozen Four all over the city—not just the Channelside area around the rink, but Ybor City, the airport, and other locales. Most surprising, the locals have embraced the event; sit down at a restaurant, belly up to a bar, go into a store, climb into a cab, or bump into regular folks at a night spot, and you’re likely to be asked if you’re here for the hockey tournament.

Clearly, this area knows how to host big events—Tampa is a frequent landing spot for the Super Bowl and hosts the Outback Bowl; the NCAA Final Four was in St. Petersburg in 1999 and basketball regionals have been held in both Tampa and St. Pete; and both the Stanley Cup and World Series have been here in the past decade.

So why not make Tampa the permanent Frozen Four host?

Scoff if you must, but it wouldn’t be unprecedented. Omaha is the permanent host of the College World Series and Oklahoma City is always the site of the softball’s championship. Turn the Frozen Four into college hockey’s version of a bowl game.

Think about it. Hotel rooms are plentiful and reasonably priced. Most airports across the country offer affordable flights to either Tampa or Orlando, which is a little more than an hour’s drive from here. There’s plenty to do around here—museums, theme parks, the beach. And by all accounts, the teams and fans who made the trip down here this week had a blast. Before long, planning a week-long trip to Tampa in early April becomes a must for college hockey fans.

When I floated this idea Saturday afternoon via Twitter, I was surprised by the blowback (which I assume came from people who aren’t here.)  Some suggested Tampa shouldn’t host if the championship game wasn’t a sellout. With more than 18,000 announced as the Saturday attendance, it wasn’t, but I don’t see that as the host city’s problem. And, hey, a few empty seats didn’t affect the quality of Saturday’s game. Unlike a major league baseball game, the Frozen Four isn’t something you go out and do on a whim. And you’ve known for how long this event was coming to Tampa? Stop complaining and get here!

The odds of something like this coming to fruition are unlikely. College hockey fans like to hang onto traditional sites like Boston (expensive city, iffy spring weather, mediocre rink) and St. Paul (affordable city, iffy spring weather, best rink in America). We assume the Tampa Bay Lightning won’t like the idea of wrapping up the regular season with road games every year, but why not give it a shot? We heartily endorse the idea.

TAMPA, Fla. – Five national championships, three in the past five years, 900-plus wins, 27 regular-season and playoff conference titles, numerous All-Americans and professional players, and an enduring impact on hundreds of hockey lives. Those are the quick and easy talking points about Boston College head coach Jerry York.

In the early days of INCH, we published a ranking of some of the all-time greatest coaches. In our minds, it’s undeniable nine seasons later that Jerry York has moved to the top of the list. Fittingly, York mentioned Bob Johnson as a huge influence in his coaching career after the national championship game, and some advice that York received from Johnson after coaching Bowling Green to the 1984 championship.

“It’s just like Bob Johnson said to me, if you get a blueprint … we’ve always tried to have excellent defensemen, we’ve had that through all these title teams. Our forwards have been explosive and very creative, whether it’s Brian Gionta or Barry Almeida, right through the list,” York said. “They all do share great team bonding, they’re all tight as groups and there are probably more similarities than differences in them based on my observation. All good goaltenders too, we’ve had a string of great goaltenders.”

POSITIVE ATTITUDE

George Roll, former head coach at Clarkson and a four-year player under York at Bowling Green in the early 1980s said that his coaching style emphasizes positivity.

“He’s extremely easy to play for. As long as you compete at a high level he doesn’t get upset about mistakes. He’s just a joy to be around, he’s upbeat and positive. I can barely remember any times in my four years where he was negative with any of the players and that’s his disposition, he’s able to handle things well and that translates to his teams,” Roll said.

Sure, there are great players, and that positive attitude gives them confidence to make things happen on the ice. It’s impossible to see what confidence looks like, but every time you see BC on the ice, you can see that it’s a team that has the proper mindset to make aggressive, creative plays. They have that trait, they have that confidence. Almost 30 years later, his current players echo what Roll experienced back then.

“It’s his positive energy,” BC senior defenseman Edwin Shea said, who wrapped a four-year career that included 139 games played for the Eagles under Jerry York. “Every day he comes to the rink and he’s the happiest guy, the most upbeat guy. He’s more upbeat than any player at the rink every single day. That’s contagious and it just brings a great environment to play in and everyone loves him.”

PEAKING AT THE RIGHT TIME

Confidence and togetherness are one thing, and the team also seems to play its best hockey at the end of the year.

“They obviously get a lot of great players to come to Boston College but what Jerry does so well is get them all aiming in the right direction at the right time of year. They went through some struggles, and I think in the end that kind of builds your team, builds your character, builds your foundation,” Vermont coach Kevin Sneddon said. “Once they all get going in one direction and all the pieces are syncing, they play their best hockey at the best time. To do that consistently every year is really special.”

Former Boston College star Ryan Shannon, currently a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, saw his alma mater win a national championship in his current workplace. He recalled something he sees on an annual basis from York. The reason for Boston College’s success is that it doesn’t rest on what it has already achieved.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s the culture that he demands,” Shannon said. “He’s built this up for a very long time and it’s always about the next year. He’s going to enjoy this championship for probably a couple weeks, and it’s always been about the next season. I’m really proud to have been an Eagle, and even more proud since I’ve left.”

IMPACT ON COLLEGE HOCKEY

With 40 years in the Division I coaching ranks, including head-coaching positions at Clarkson, Bowling Green and Boston College, York has been a success across different eras and different circumstances. He’s regarded as one of the giants of the game by other current coaches when it comes to dealing with issues in the game at the national coaches convention.

“Quietly, he’s a leader among the coaches. He picks and chooses topics that he wants to get involved in, but when he speaks definitely the room becomes very quiet,” Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold said. “He’s an impressive man and he’s got a presence about him and gets a lot of respect, as he should, and as he deserves to have.”

All of the victories and all of the accolades are hard-earned and well-deserved, but York’s impact reaches far greater than his campus community or conference membership.

“When you look at guys like Jerry York, or Jack Parker, they’re the legends of our game. Ron Mason, they’re what you think about when you talk about college hockey coaches. It’s a source of inspiration for younger coaches, and they’re great ambassadors for the game,” Sneddon said. “They care about the game, not just Boston College, they care about college hockey and all that’s good about college hockey. He’s a legend.”

All season long, the mantra has been the same. With laser-like focus, the attention never shifts from their ultimate, clearly stated goal. During Friday’s press conference before the national title game, head coach Jerry York made no fewer than five references to it.

“We want to win trophies.”

That simple, five-word statement tells you all that you need to know, not only about this year’s Boston College team, but about the culture surrounding the entire program itself.

“We’re looking at that shiny trophy.”

Barry Almeida

With Saturday night’s hard-fought 4-1 victory over Ferris State, the Eagles have accomplished their ultimate goal for the season, the coveted national championship, Boston College’s second in the last three years and third since 2008. This year’s juniors and seniors join the classes of 2010 and 2011 as the only Boston College teams to win a pair of national championships during their careers.

“We stress it so much, winning trophies is so important to this program,” said senior forward Barry Almeida. “Graduating players and winning trophies, that’s Coach York’s mantra. Something about this team, when trophies are on the line, everyone buys in.”

This year’s edition of the Eagles completed the program’s ultimate quest, winning all four of the program’s targets: the Beanpot, the Hockey East regular-season and tournament trophies, and the biggest of them all, the national championship.

“Winning championships is hard. It’s the hardest thing to do, especially this one,” Almeida said. “You’re playing teams that you’ve got to take their sticks away, end their season. These guys know how to do it. They’ll carry this legacy on and be successful for years to come.”

“We sometimes take it for granted getting here,” senior forward Paul Carey said. “This season started out with the right mindset, and we were jealous of a couple of our old teammates who had two [national championships]. We’re on their level now.”

“Four trophies is an incredible season,” Carey added. “We have the microscope, that next game, but at the same time, we never lose sight of that telescope, and know that we’re playing for the Beanpot, or Hockey East. Once a trophy is on the line, a whole other team comes out of us.”

Edwin Shea

This year’s group of seniors bows out with an impressive resume, including three straight Hockey East tournament championships and a pair of national titles. But as freshmen, they suffered the worst of fates that a Boston College team can: coming up empty.

“We had a tough freshman year, only winning 18 games after the guys before us won the title in 2008,” Shea said. “That season was pretty much a failure for us, we didn’t win anything.”

When pressed about how winning 18 games, a figure that many programs would call an unequivocal success, Shea simply shrugged his shoulders and smiled. “That’s just the culture of the program here, we try to win championships. Coach always says we chase trophies. If we don’t do that, the season’s not considered a success.”

As this year’s group of seniors departs, they leave in their wake an indelible legacy, and a feeling of satisfaction in showing the younger players on this team what the expectations are for the Boston College program.

“These guys know what it takes to win, and how to win,” Shea said. “They’ll be fun to watch for the next few years. As long as the coaching staff keeps preaching the same stuff, the program will be in good hands for years.”

BOSTON COLLEGE 4, FERRIS STATE 1 | Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. – For all of the game’s complicated defensive systems and forechecking patterns and line combinations, very often, hockey boils down to a pretty simple fact: Stop more pucks than the other team, and you’re likely to win.

Such was the case Saturday as Boston College claimed its third NCAA crown since 2008, holding off a hard-working and determined Ferris State team to win 4-1.

Again and again, the Bulldogs controlled the play and worked the puck to the front of the Eagles’ net. And as he’d done time and again throughout BC’s dominating run through the NCAA playoffs, Parker Milner spoiled the opponents’ fun.

Boston College's Steven Whitney tries to poke the puck past Ferris State goalie Taylor Nelson in the second period of Saturday's NCAA championship game. The play was whistled dead shortly thereafter.

In earning the Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player award, Milner stopped 27 Bulldog shots; in two games in Tampa and two in the NCAA Northeast Regional in Worcester, Mass., two weeks ago, he allowed just two goals. He was near perfect and needed to be, as Ferris State never looked awed by their surroundings.

BC scored first, as it had done so often during its 19-game unbeaten streak, when Steven Whitney cashed in on a bad turnover in front of the Bulldogs’ net. But barely two minutes later, Ferris State responded when Garrett Thompson poked a loose puck past Milner, who had stopped the first two shots on the play.

From there, it became a battle of special teams—some effective and some not so. The Eagles got a power-play goal later in the first to lead 2-1 when a long-range shot by defenseman Brian Dumoulin got past Ferris State goaltender Taylor Nelson after it careened off the glove of BC forward Paul Carey. But Ferris was undaunted and took control of the play for long stretches in the first and second periods.

And that’s when, again, it became the Milner show. The junior from Pittsburgh had an answer for everything that came his way, which included a Kyle Bonis breakaway and a point-blank shot by Thompson on the doorstep, which the goalie sprawled to smother.

The Bulldogs had three consecutive power plays later in the third but got nothing to show for them as BC’s penalty kill was perfect. The Eagles hung around and looked content to claim the title with a one-goal win until freshman forward Johnny Gaudreau provided the dagger with 3:02 left in the third period, beating Ferris State goalie Taylor Nelson up high with a wicked backhand to start the countdown to BC’s fifth title in earnest.

Whitney added an empty-net goal from beyond the blue line with just over one minute to play to seal the game. Nelson finished with 33 saves for the Bulldogs, who finish 26-12-5 while earning the second CCHA regular-season championship in school history.

The Eagles conclude with a 33-10-1 mark. Coach Jerry York won his fifth national title—four with Boston College (2001, 2008, 2010 and 2012) and one with Bowling Green (1984).

From the moment the Frozen Four field was set with the bracket matching up Union and Ferris State in one semifinal, the conventional wisdom among many casual fans was that Thursday’s second semifinal, the one pitting Boston College against Minnesota, would be the de facto national title game.

Don’t tell the Boston College players that, though. The Eagles are well aware of the threat that the Bulldogs pose to their title chances.

Tommy Cross and his Boston College teammates aren't taking Saturday's challenge from Ferris State lightly.

“Ferris State is a team that has played some great hockey over the course of the season, obviously, but especially where they beat some really solid teams in the NCAA Tournament in Union, Cornell and Denver,” said senior captain Tommy Cross. “They’re red hot. We said last night that if we want to get a trophy, it will probably have to be our best game of the season on Saturday night.”

For certain, the challenge facing Boston College is a drastically different one than the Eagles faced Thursday against Minnesota. While Minnesota attempted—and failed—to skate with Boston College, Ferris State is just as likely to pick their spots to counter the Eagles and have shown the ability throughout this postseason to capitalize on its opponents’ mistakes.

“We have a great deal of respect for Ferris State,” said head coach Jerry York. “Any team that can win the CCHA, you know, Michigan’s in there, Michigan State’s in there, Miami’s in there … some really powerful, powerful teams, and you have Ferris that won the [regular-season] championship.”

In this instance, Boston College’s players would do well to heed the words of their head coach. In 2007, York’s team was on the losing end of a 3-1 contest against Michigan State, a team that few people gave any chance to capture the championship. Even back then, the many of the same comparisons of David versus Goliath were being made, a notion that York was quick to dispel.

“Everybody’s got something to lose at this point, unless you don’t want to win a trophy,” he said. “There’s nobody here that has nothing to lose.”

FERRIS STATE DEFENSEMEN ONE-UPMANSHIP
By James V. Dowd

• While team chemistry is paramount in the playoffs, a bit of a healthy rivalry in the locker room can be productive for a team as well. That has been the case for Ferris State blueliners Brett Wysopal and Scott Czarnowczan, who are first and second on the team in blocked shots. Czarnowczan came into the weekend leading the team with 74 blocked shots, one ahead of Wysopal. A six-block performance against Union in Thursday’s Frozen Four semifinal gave Wysopal the lead and bragging rights for at least 48 hours.

On the other hand, Bulldogs’ forwards Jordie Johnston and Kyle Bonis, first and second on the team with 20 and 19 goals, respectively, have found that mutual encouragement works for them. Heading into the weekend, Johnston was encouraging his roommate, saying that he foresaw a goal or two in Bonis’ future. That vision became reality when Bonis broke out with the game-winning goal and an assist against the Dutchmen. Of course, Johnston was quick to take credit for the goal thanks to his confidence-boosting pep talk.

Ferris State captain Chad Billins says he's a "light" sleeper.

• Speaking of roommates, two anchors of Ferris State’s success have a unique method of making sure they’re not sluggish the morning of a game. Goaltender Taylor Nelson and defenseman Chad Billins have lived together since they were freshmen and know each other’s habits cold. One commonality they share is sleeping with the window shades open the night before a game. Perhaps superstition as much as anything, the pair joked that the sunlight gives them positive energy and have found that early-morning light pouring in through an unblocked window helps prevent sluggishness on game day.

• Back to Bonis, Ferris State coach Bob Daniels noted during Thursday’s postgame press conference—much as he did during Bonis’s hot start to the season back in October—that he and his staff always knew the former walk-on could score goals but worried about his skating. The senior forward said it was a flaw in his game he ignored despite coaches’ criticism when he was younger, but as a college player, he matured and embraced the opportunity to improve. Summer workouts focusing on improving his stride paid off handsomely with a junior season that surpassed the offensive output of his first two seasons combined.

•  While Johnston is thrilled to be playing for a national title and happy his prophecy of a Bonis goal was fulfilled, the senior forward admitted the victory over Union was personally frustrating. Johnston registered three shots on goal against the Dutchmen, but felt as if he squeezed his stick a little on a few solid opportunities. The team’s leading scorer is looking forward to the opportunity to redeem himself and create scoring chances against a tough Boston College defense Saturday.

Inside some of the key storylines from a 6-1 Boston College victory over Minnesota.

VETERAN DEFENSE SOLID AGAIN FOR BOSTON COLLEGE
By Kevin Zeise

Thursday’s matchup had been billed as a showcase of two nearly identical teams, both possessing high-powered offenses capable of lighting up the scoreboard. While Boston College’s attack held its end of the bargain, the Eagles’ defensive unit put the clamps down on Minnesota, holding a team that had tallied 12 goals in the two games at the NCAA West Regional to just a single goal in the Eagles’ 6-1 victory Thursday night in Tampa.

Brian Dumoulin and the Boston College defense played a key role in shutting down the high-scoring Minnesota offense.

Working as a collective unit, the six defensemen and goaltender Parker Milner kept the Gophers at bay throughout the contest. Employing a bend-but-don’t-break strategy, the Eagles allowed Minnesota to shoot from distance, and worked tirelessly to clear away pucks from in front of the net. Milner’s presence in goal provided a huge security blanket for the Boston College defense.

There were a couple of grade-A opportunities, but Milner was there to erase those.

“He bails us out a lot,” said junior Brian Dumoulin of his classmate, Milner. “It helps us to know we don’t have to be mistake-free, knowing we’ve got a rock behind us.”

“I think everyone still strives for perfection, even though it’s not always possible,” said junior Patrick Wey. “It’s a relief knowing that we have such a great goalie back there. I just get surprised sometimes, it’s like, ‘Man, here comes another two-on-one,’ and he makes another huge save, and it’s a huge relief.”

Time and again on the evening, the defensemen and goaltender were in perfect sync, with Milner there to make key stops when the Gophers got through the defense. In turn, whenever Milner gave up a rebound in front of his crease, his blueliners were there to sweep pucks away into the corners and away from danger.

“I think it works with the whole unit,” Milner said of the play of his defensive group in front. “I try to limit the rebounds, but I definitely left plenty out there tonight. Those guys are incredible, they just swept everything right out. I think that’s something they work endlessly on.”

The Eagles were able to prepare for Minnesota’s high-powered attack in practice over the past week and a half by simply working against their own forwards.

“We’ve got fast forwards, and so does Minnesota,” said senior Edwin Shea. “Practice is sometimes harder than the games we play with how quick our forwards are. It was good for our defense to get used to that type of speed in practice for teams just like Minnesota.”

“Lots of guys come to Boston College to play defense because they know they’re going to play against some of the best forwards in the country each day in practice,” Wey said. “Those practices, and some of the games we’ve had throughout the playoffs, they’ve been really good preparation for us for a team like this that was so skilled offensively.”

While Saturday night’s championship matchup will pit the Eagles against a different type of team than Minnesota was, Boston College’s entire defensive unit is certainly aware of the danger that Ferris State can pose.

“We’re enjoying this win right now, but tomorrow night it’s back to business,” Wey said. “That’s a good team in Ferris State that we have to play, and we’re certainly not going to take them lightly.”

YOUNG GOPHER DEFENSE OVERWHELMED BY BC
By Jess Myers

At the start of the college hockey season, many predicted that the Gophers’ youth on defense would undo all the good they’d be able to do offensively, and picked Minnesota for a middle-of-the-pack finish in the WCHA. It didn’t happen.

Justin Holl and the Gophers' green defensive corps couldn't handle Paul Carey and the Boston College attack.

After a hot start, paced by Kent Patterson’s repeated shutouts, the Gophers cooled a bit by early December, it was predicted that defensive flaws would lead to Minnesota’s fall from atop the WCHA standings. It didn’t happen, and the Gophers went on to win the WCHA title.

As the playoff started, the only question remaining about Minnesota was if that defensive inexperience would spell trouble against fast, opportunistic teams. On Thursday at the Frozen Four, it happened.

“It was just one of those nights for a couple guys who had played so well all year long,” said Gophers coach Don Lucia, clearly not naming names. “Tonight we had a couple guys who didn’t play the way they have most of the season, and that’s going to happen.”

Against a talented an opportunistic offense like that of BC, mistakes were magnified, and little turnovers they may have been masked early in the season all seemed to end up with the puck behind Gophers goalie Kent Patterson.

“They had a number of odd-man rushes, but that was just because we were trying to make chances and trying to score,” said Patterson, who had 19 saves. “We had all the guys on the net, and they just capitalized on their opportunities on their rushes. You’ve got to give them credit.”

Nate Schmidt admitted that he had perhaps his worst game of the season on the blue line, and when Jake Parenteau fumbled a puck that led to a 2-on-1 scoring rush by the Eagles, the harsh light of the national spotlight seemed much brighter on a pair of sophomores that had been otherwise solid all season.

“They feed off turnovers and they really exploited our turnovers tonight,” Schmidt said. “Jake and I didn’t have the games we wanted tonight … for me that was probably one of the worst games I played. No excuses on a big stage like this.”

BOSTON COLLEGE 6, MINNESOTA 1 | Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. – Boston College scored three second-period goals and never looked back, routing Minnesota 6-1 in the second NCAA Frozen Four semifinal game at the Tampa Bay Times Forum Thursday.

The second-period markers from Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, and Paul Carey extended the Eagles’ lead to 4-0, with the Kreider and Carey tallies coming in the final 2:15 prior to intermission. Minnesota showed a faint pulse when Jake Hansen scored just 1:26 into the third period to cut the margin to 4-1, a goal that ended Boston College goaltender Parker Milner’s NCAA Tournament shutout streak at 161:26, but Carey answered with his second goal of the game 22 seconds later, demoralizing the Golden Gophers and propelling the Eagles, the Tournament’s top overall seed, to a championship game match with Ferris State Saturday.

Minnesota's Tom Serratore attempts a shot; Boston College's Quinn Smith tries to thwart the effort. Boston College beat Minnesota in Thursday's second Frozen Four semifinal, 6-1.

Junior defenseman Brian Dumoulin closed out Boston College’s scoring with the Eagles’ second power-play goal at the 5:51 mark of the final period. Foward Steven Whitney scored the only goal of the first period at the 6:03 mark, redirecting a centering pass from linemate Barry Almeida past Minnesota goalie Kent Patterson.

Six goals might put the spotlight on the Eagles’ prolific offense, a group that has averaged four goals a game during its current 18-game winning streak, but Milner was terrific, making 30 saves, including a few on grade-A chances early in the game that might have shifted the momentum before the game spiraled out of Minnesota’s reach. Milner, a junior from Pittsburgh, has stopped 83 of the 84 shots he’s faced in the NCAA Tournament and a total of 21 goals during the team’s winning streak.

With the win, the Eagles advanced to the national championship game for the seventh time since Jerry York became head coach in 1994 and they will be playing for their fourth national championship in that stretch and the program’s fifth overall.

3. Parker Milner, Boston College: Coach Jerry York said Milner made “timely saves” when Minnesota had a chance to generate some momentum, allowing the Eagles to take over late in the second period. He made 30 saves; the Eagles were outshot by a 31-25 margin.

2. , Brian Dumoulin, Boston College: The standout defenseman earned special mention from his coach for persevering in loose-puck battles in front and making strong plays to limit Gopher scoring chances.

1. Paul Carey, Boston College: Two goals for the senior forward and they epitomized BC’s night — opportunistic and lethal. His goal in the final minute of the second period made it 4-0, and when Minnesota scored early in the third, Carey answered 22 seconds later. Game over.

A shutout streak of more than 160 minutes is impressive. For a goalie to put together said streak in the NCAA Tournament is amazing, but that’s exactly what Boston College’s Parker Milner did. After blanking both Air Force and Minnesota Duluth in the NCAA Northeast Regional in Worcester two weeks ago, the junior from Pittsburgh kept Minnesota off the scoreboard for two periods before Minnesota’s Jake Hansen scored 86 seconds into the third period of Thursday’s semifinal. The final tally: 161:26 without a goal in NCAA Tournament play. Add in the scoreless time he accrued in the Eagles’ Hockey East title game win against Maine, and that number grows to 193:49.

Paging Nick Bjugstad … paging Zach Budish … paging Kyle Rau. The Gophers’ top line was invisible in the loss to Boston College, combining for a plus-minus rating of minus-8 and four shots on goal. That’s two fewer than Boston College third-line wing Paul Carey. Certainly they’re not alone in their inconspicuousness for the Gophers, but your best players to be difference makers in big games. That obviously wasn’t the case Thursday night in Tampa.

“It just got out of control.”

Minnesota senior forward and assistant captain Jake Hansen needed only six words to effectively sum up what went wrong for the Golden Gophers in the loss to Boston College. Sometimes the simplest summation is also the most appropriate.

Patterson didn’t get a lot of help from his Minnesota teammates against of Boston College Thursday. Even the official Twitter account for the Golden Gophers left him out to dry.