TAMPA, Fla. — Boston College is making winning NCAA hockey titles look easy.
Coach Jerry York and star goalie Parker Milner know how hard it really is.
“You can’t buy one of these championships,” York said Saturday night after the Eagles beat Ferris State 4-1 for their fifth NCAA championship and third in five seasons.
“You have to earn them. And this team definitely earned it.”
Milner, the Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player, made 27 of his 33 saves in the final two periods.
“It’s hard to put it into words because everyone did their part and we came together as a team,” Milner said. “You don’t do this without contributions from everyone and that’s what we got.”
Steven Whitney scored twice to help Boston College (33-10-1) finish with a 19-game winning streak. The Eagles outscored their opponents 77-21 during that span.
“We knew Ferris State was going to be outstanding,” York said. “They might not have the name recognition, but we knew how good they were. We stayed patient through the first two periods. Parker was extremely strong in net. You can’t be measured until you win that last trophy. Now this team can take its place among the other championship teams.”
Ferris State (26-12-5) was making its first Frozen Four appearance.
“You can’t say enough about what Boston College has accomplished,” Ferris State coach Bob Daniels said. “I think that’s a very special program. It’s going to be hard to duplicate.”
Paul Carey broke a tie with a power-play goal midway through the first period, redirecting Brian Dumoulin’s blast from left point to make it 2-1.
Johnny Gaudreau also scored for Boston College.
Garrett Thompson scored for Ferris State.
Whitney opened the scoring at 3:18 of the first period, stealing a pass and beating lunging goalie Taylor Nelson. Thompson tied it at 5:19, and Carey put the Eagles in front at 10:33.
Gaudreau weaved through the Ferris State defense to make it 3-1 with 3:02 left in the game. He carried over the blue line with two defenders between him and the net. The freshman star went around one defenseman, faked forehand on the other defender, then went to his backhand and flicked a shot from the edge of the right circle. It got past Nelson to the far post.
“That was a big-time goal by a big-time player,” York said.
Whitney added an empty-net goal with 1:03 to go.
Boston College also won national championships in 1949, 2001, 2008 and 2010. The Eagles are the first program to win three titles in five years since Denver accomplished the feat with wins in 1958, 1960 and 1961.
Daniels said he felt Ferris State represented itself well.
“I felt very comfortable coming out of the second period, but they just had too much,” Daniels said. “I have zero regrets about this. We did the best we could. I have zero regrets about how they played and how they performed.”
Congrats to Coach York & his BC Eagles!
and they owe it all to UMO, because after they were swept back in Jan., they didn’t lose again. It’s all about trophies at BC. Speaking of which, when was the last time UMO opened the trophy case anyway? :)
What is UMO?
Yes, that trip to Maine did BC wonders. It’s a long drive to get up there from Boston and a whole lot longer coming home after getting swept. BC is developing an almost legendary habit of turning the switch to ‘On’ somewhere after the midway point of the season.
Now, BC has to work on the odd-numbered years since their recent championships have come in even-numbered ones (2008-2010-2012).
From what I have read their program is designed to peak at the end of the season. The results are impressive.
Don’t forget that Tim Whitehead’s base salary will increase by another $5000 soon if not already. As the UME System refuses any base salary increases to any faculty and regular staff save for those recently disclosed cases of more pay for more responsibilities–and then none of those were for faculty or classified staff–Tim enjoys his 9th or 10th pay boost because of alleged “inflation.” He has the last laugh.
No tears ought to be shed for miniscule pay raises in ‘Academe.’ The things these people do NOT have to pay for more than compensates. But that’s the ‘Man Behind the Curtain’ you’re not supposed to talk about or call attention to. The ‘Poor Us’ whining from Academe is tiresome.
to GRBSPR: Thanks for showing your ignorance of what people in “Academe” don’t have to pay for. I guess you mean rental fees for the state-owned bldgs. and labs and electricity and heat. How kind of you. But then we pay for these in our Maine taxes. Should we destroy all academic bldgs. and retain only the athletic facilities? That is in fact the dream of certain UME athletic supporters. Ironically, it’s Coach Whitehead who more than once has had the nerve to complain about allegedly inadequate facilities in his ice palace, all of which complains have presumably been attended to in recent years while so many campus bldgs. like the oft-pictured Stevens Hall with the cupola deteriorate, including plaster falling during classes. But then “that’s the life life SHOULD be” for many, not least former Gov. Baldacci.
Stevens Hall is the History building, it’s suppose to be old…. Never thought I’d say it but congrats to BC, nice to see a Hockey East team crowned champs.
Congrats to Boston College – an excellent hardworking program and worthy of the title.
Congrats to Spencer Abbott for a great season, Hobey Baker Hat Trick, First Team All-American and completing your 4 years at Maine.
Hard Work,Preperations game in and game out….and NEVER a Excuse.
Congrats to BC and Hockey East. It’s great to to be able watch the best in college hockey every night! Also congrats to Brian Dumoulin, a hockey player Maine can be proud of despite the color of his sweater.