Northeastern Preview

Just two games this weekend for the Eagles, both against cross-town rival Northestern University. NU will host BC on Friday at 7pm, followed by a rematch Sunday at 3 in Conte Forum. The Huskies have faced the Eagles once this year, a 5-1 BC win at Conte Forum on November 7th. The Huskies have been hot lately, winning five of their last six including a sweep last weekend of a ranked UMass team. They have also played a tight 2-1 loss to BU in the Beanpot semis, so needless to say, this is not a series BC can take lightly. (Nor can they ignore Merrimack on Tuesday night, but that is for another column.) BC has been consistent in their last few games, also winning five of their last six.

Players to watch:

NU's junior firepower - Husky juniors Wade McLeod and Tyler McNeely are the top two scorers on the team with 25 and 23 points respectively. McNeely had a great Beanpot with two goals in the consolation game against Harvard.

Chris Kreider - This kid continues to burn red hot! Kreider's game winner with 13 seconds left on Sunday meant two big points for BC and kept them in the hunt for the regular season title. Another big weekend will be needed from him as NU will key in on BC's top line.

Chris Rawlings - The freshman goaltender has been solid in NU's recent run of wins, and it could be said that he is the reason they have stayed above water all season. Rawligs is a big kid who covers alot of net. BC is going to need to get the young goalie rattled and force him to make mistakes. This is not the rookie they saw back in November, however, so they will need to get timely goals and capitalize on mistakes made by the NU defense.

Parker Milner - York has been pretty consistent in giving his freshman goalie at least one night in net every weekend. Milner has not disappointed, posting a 2-1 win last time out against Lowell. I would expect the same this weekend, with Muse going in front of the Pound Friday night and Milner playing the more comfortable game at home Sunday afternoon.

Predictions:
Friday - BC 3 NU 2
Saturday - BC 5 NU 2

NOTES:
- Sunday's game (@3pm) will be broadcast on ESPNU for anyone who can't make it out to Conte. If you can make it, get down there to see the Eagles!
- This is game two of a four game homestand for BC. They will play Merrimack on Tuesday night and then UMass Friday night.
- Tickets are probably available for all of the games left on the schedule, but Friday vs. UMass is a must see as the BC students will be starting Spring Break and will more than likely not be there. This goes for the HUGE series with UNH on March 5-6 as well.

Go BC!!!