Greg Wyshynski, ESPNMar 27, 2024, 08:45 AM ET
CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.
BOSTON — It’s a feud that dates back to 1918, one filled with as much mutual animosity as competitive spirit.
It’s Boston University vs. Boston College. An NCAA hockey tradition like no other.
“I mean, obviously there’s a lot of hatred there,” BC forward Will Smith said. “Off the ice, there’s a sort of a respect for one another. But once we get on the ice, we’re enemies.”
Smith was born in 2005, but he knows. They all know. Putting on those jerseys and looking across the ice at their city rivals creates some kind of hockey alchemy, wherein all the battles and brackets and Beanpot tournaments are downloaded into their hearts.
“It’s pretty special just being able to be a part of something that’s been going on for so long and the history of the guys who played in those games,” BU defenseman Lane Huston said.
The Terriers have won five national championships, their last one coming in 2009 with a team that featured Kevin Shattenkirk and Nick Bonino. The Eagles also have won five national titles, their last one coming in 2012 with a team that included Johnny Gaudreau, Chris Kreider and Kevin Hayes among others.
“It’s Alabama vs. Auburn or Michigan vs. Ohio State. It has that feel to it,” BC coach Greg Brown said. “Just two schools that have been very successful programs and they’re so close together, so the kids are usually very familiar with each other before they even get to the school. It just sets up for a great rivalry.”
Within the context of the rivalry, it’s clear all losses aren’t created equally. BC’s lone real blemish on the season was a crushing one — an opening-round loss to BU in the Beanpot, Boston’s hallowed college hockey tournament. For BU, falling short in this season’s Hockey East championship game was a disappointment. Getting smoked by BC, 6-2, was a whole different level of anguish for coach Jay Pandolfo.
“We’ve got to get past it,” he said. “It’s not the end…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/39814248/boston-college-boston-university-frozen-four-collision-course
Author : Greg Wyshynski
Publish date : 2024-03-27 13:48:30
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