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When discussing the top teams in Hockey East, the conversation generally includes the likes of Boston College and Boston University. The two programs consistently have rosters riddled with future NHL players, and consistently are two of the top teams in the nation.
But this year, things have gone a bit differently. While the Eagles have maintained their status among the elites, consistently ranking among the top 10 teams in the country, the Terriers have had an off year, with injuries and a thin roster undoing BU. Add in the departure of 40-year tenured head coach Jack Parker, and it's been a rough stretch of hockey the the Terriers.
On Friday night, the two teams will match up in the 264th iteration of their rivalry in a Hockey East tilt at Conte Forum. Boston College has yet to lose this calendar year, and has run off seven games undefeated (six wins, one tie), led by the play of its new top line. At the other end of the ice, BU's struggles have continued into 2014, as the Terriers have yet to win since New Year's, and have gone six straight without a victory (five losses, one tie). While the Terriers have some games in hand on teams ahead of them, BU currently finds itself in an unfamiliar 10th place in the Hockey East standings, while Boston College is comfortably in first place.
The two teams are in decidedly different places, but they always seem to play physical, close games. Boston University is looking to get out of its slide, and also earn some key league points, while they'll be without the services of Matt Grzelcyk. While the defenseman is more known for his offensive game, first-year head coach David Quinn will still need to figure out a way to slow down the Eagles' top guns, and do so with his team getting the last change.
