Boston College takes home NCAA title
Four goals in third lead Eagles over Wisconsin
Saturday, 04.10.2010 / 11:10 PM
/ News
By Michael Caples
- Detroit Red Wings Staff Writer
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DETROIT – In their national semifinal game, Boston College dominated the third period, scoring four goals en route to a 7-1 victory over the Miami Redhawks.
Why would they change anything in the national championship?
An indoor hockey attendance record of 37,592 fans watched the Eagles capture their fourth NCAA championship at Ford Field in Detroit, as the Eagles scored another four goals in the third period to defeat Wisconsin 5-0.
“I’m unbelievably excited,” Boston College coach Jerry York said. “It’s an amazing feeling.”
This is the second national championship in three years for Boston College. The Eagles beat Notre Dame 4-1 in Denver for the school’s third title in 2008.
“I thought our players, to two win national championships for juniors and seniors has never been done in Boston College history, and we have a long and very storied history in all the sports…for these guys to bring two trophies back to Boston College, what a career they’ve had.”
Sophomore forward Cam Atkinson scored twice in the final period, both times beating Wisconsin goaltender five-hole with backhand shots. Chris Kreider and Matt Price also recorded third-period goals.
Ben Smith, who was named Most Outstanding Player of the Frozen Four, had the lone goal in the first two periods, firing in a shot from between the face-off circles at the 12:57 mark of the first.
The game served as revenge for Boston College, who lost to Wisconsin 2-1 in the 2006 NCAA title game.
Goaltender John Muse improved his NCAA Tournament record to 8-0 after making 20 saves. Muse, who underwent hip surgery and missed nine months while rehabbing last season, stopped 37 of 38 shots he saw at Ford Field.
“Johnny’s been a rock all year for us, especially this whole playoff run,” Price said. “He’s played unbelievable.”
The Eagles shutting out the Badgers was even more impressive considering the offensive ability Wisconsin has displayed this season. The Badgers ranked second in the nation in total scoring, and they beat RIT 8-1 in the Frozen Four opener in Thursday.
“My congratulations to Boston College,” Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves said. “They played a very good game today, and they deserved to win. The first period I thought we didn’t do the things we wanted to do with the puck, both at our blue line and their blue line. The second period I thought we picked it up, got some momentum coming, and in the third period, we never got that next goal which could have possibly changed the game. They got the next four, and the game was pretty much over.”
The title game capped off arguably the most lopsided Frozen Four ever. It was the first time in NCAA history that all three games in the Frozen Four featured a victory margin of five goals or more.
York holds the record for most NCAA postseason wins with 33, and tonight was his 850th career win. His four national titles put him at third place all-time.
Why would they change anything in the national championship?
An indoor hockey attendance record of 37,592 fans watched the Eagles capture their fourth NCAA championship at Ford Field in Detroit, as the Eagles scored another four goals in the third period to defeat Wisconsin 5-0.
“I’m unbelievably excited,” Boston College coach Jerry York said. “It’s an amazing feeling.”
This is the second national championship in three years for Boston College. The Eagles beat Notre Dame 4-1 in Denver for the school’s third title in 2008.
“I thought our players, to two win national championships for juniors and seniors has never been done in Boston College history, and we have a long and very storied history in all the sports…for these guys to bring two trophies back to Boston College, what a career they’ve had.”
Sophomore forward Cam Atkinson scored twice in the final period, both times beating Wisconsin goaltender five-hole with backhand shots. Chris Kreider and Matt Price also recorded third-period goals.
Ben Smith, who was named Most Outstanding Player of the Frozen Four, had the lone goal in the first two periods, firing in a shot from between the face-off circles at the 12:57 mark of the first.
The game served as revenge for Boston College, who lost to Wisconsin 2-1 in the 2006 NCAA title game.
Goaltender John Muse improved his NCAA Tournament record to 8-0 after making 20 saves. Muse, who underwent hip surgery and missed nine months while rehabbing last season, stopped 37 of 38 shots he saw at Ford Field.
“Johnny’s been a rock all year for us, especially this whole playoff run,” Price said. “He’s played unbelievable.”
The Eagles shutting out the Badgers was even more impressive considering the offensive ability Wisconsin has displayed this season. The Badgers ranked second in the nation in total scoring, and they beat RIT 8-1 in the Frozen Four opener in Thursday.
“My congratulations to Boston College,” Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves said. “They played a very good game today, and they deserved to win. The first period I thought we didn’t do the things we wanted to do with the puck, both at our blue line and their blue line. The second period I thought we picked it up, got some momentum coming, and in the third period, we never got that next goal which could have possibly changed the game. They got the next four, and the game was pretty much over.”
The title game capped off arguably the most lopsided Frozen Four ever. It was the first time in NCAA history that all three games in the Frozen Four featured a victory margin of five goals or more.
York holds the record for most NCAA postseason wins with 33, and tonight was his 850th career win. His four national titles put him at third place all-time.
