BU and BC are set to meet for the third time this year, on their third different ice surface. First Agganis, then Fenway and now Conte Forum. The teams are tied at one, and barring a Beanpot Final matchup or Hockey East Playoff game, this will be the rubber match for the Rivalry 2009-10.
From BCEagles.com
Nobody has skated opposite the Terriers as much as the Eagles have, a ridonculous 248 times. The Terriers lead the all-time series 124-107, with 17 ties thrown in.
The Two Teams Last Met At Fenway Park
Unless it's a home and home, it's kind of odd to meet the same team again so soon. BU is just two games removed from Frozen Fenway, as is BC.
In the two match-ups since the outdoor games, the Eagles have bounced back in a big way, beating Maine and Providence in consecutive games.
The Tuesday after Frozen Fenway Jerry York shuffled his lines to put his three most talented players together, and it worked wonders for the Eagles, who won over Providence 4-1. Joe Whitney had a goal and two assists, while new linemates Cam Atkinson and Brian Gibbons each put up a goal and a helper.
On January 15, BC beat up on the Black Bears at Conte Forum 6-1. Cam Atkinson led the way with two goals and an assist, making Jerry York look like a genius again. Coming into the game, Maine had not lost in nine consecutive efforts. BC put the brakes on their hot streak, dominating them cover to cover.
BC's Leading Points Scorer Brian Gibbons is No Stranger to BU-BC
In the past two games, York's new top line has scored 6 goals and 8 assists for a total of 14 points and a ridiculous cumulative rating of +18. Needless to say, the Whitney-Gibbons-Atknison line will be priority number one for an inconsistent BU defense. The line is an offensive dynamo, and it's no mystery as to why.
The three forwards have played in every single game this season for the Terriers, and are the top three scorers on the team. Gibbons leads with 24 points (9g, 15a), Atkinson is next with 22 points (13g, 9a), followed by Whitney with 17 points (7g, 10a). Can the Terriers contend with this Super Line that Jerry York has concocted?
It's very, very unlikely. Even when the three weren't playing on the same line, the Terriers couldn't slow them down. At Fenway, Brian Gibbons had a goal and an assist while Cam Atkinson added a goal. In the other match-up back in December, they also had their way with the Terriers. Whitney had a goal and an assist, Gibbons had a goal, and Atkinson had an assist.
Before York created a monster, they were still causing havoc for the Terriers on their own separate lines. Seven points in two games for the trio, and now they're playing together. This is downright scary.
The last two games have been ridiculous for BC goaltenders as well. Parker Milner and John Muse each gave up just one goal in their games against PC and UME respectively. Muse is having a great year, but the only thing that could possibly displace him is his backup. Milner is 5-1 on the year with a 2.34 GAA. Muse should watch his step, because one slip up and it could be enough to knock Muse and his 7-5-2 record and 2.70 GAA out of the starting job.
Milner is Making Noise in Net as a Freshman
After all, Milner's lack of experience should be a selling point to the Eagles. The last two national champion goaltenders were both freshman, including John Muse himself. No matter who BU sees between the pipes tonight, they will have a tall order ahead.
A sideplot in BU BC games is the coaching matchup. Jerry York and Jack Parker are two of the best of all time, and their battle of wits is as intriguing as the physical match-up on the ice.
(RECORDS AS OF PRE-2009-10 SEASON)
| Rank | Coach | W | L | T | Pct. |
| 1 | Mason, Ron | 924 | 380 | 83 | .696 |
| 2 | YORK, JERRY | 821 | 529 | 89 | .601 |
| 3 | PARKER, JACK | 816 | 412 | 101 | .652 |
| 4 | COMLEY, RICK | 749 | 583 | 100 | .558 |
| 5 | Peters, Bob | 744 | 313 | 51 | .694 |
York has the edge in wins, but Parker has the superior winning percentage.
One more player of note to watch out for from the Eagles is defenseman Carl Sneep. Sneep, who sniped an important goal in the game in December, has 16 points from the Eagles' Blue Line. Expect him to jump up into the offense and make a difference on both ends of the ice.
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