SB Nation Boston: All Posts by Biz Jacobs

Beanpot 2013: Northeastern's Kevin Roy ready for the big stage

2013-02-06T21:16:52Z

If you didn't know who Kevin Roy was before, now would be a good time to pick up on this Northeastern freshman sensation.

The 19-year-old from Lac Beauport, Quebec has wowed people since his early years, and has continued that track in his newest venture of collegiate hockey.

And fortunately for the Northeastern Huskies, he skates for them.

Originally committed to Brown University, Roy and his brother Derick switched over to NU in the late summer of 2012, and started this fall as an undeclared freshman. After Brown coach Jerry Keefe--the original recruiter of the two Roy brothers-- moved from Brown over to the Huskies, they seemed to follow en suite.

While Roy noted that it's common to de-commit from a place if there is a coaching change, it seems like Boston might be more of a fit for him anyway where he can experience hockey and the world around him.

"I think it's awesome that we are right close to everything," Roy said when asked about going to Northeastern over another school not in Boston. "I think it's an awesome experience compared to another college where you're more secluded, and I'm having a great time."

Roy shared a little piece of that "great time"' on Monday, when he put up a hat trick at one of the most revered traditions in college hockey--the Beanpot-- to help advance his team past the BU Terriers, and into the Finals against #5 ranked Boston College.

Roy already had 12 goals on the season going into Monday night's game, and has accumulated 30 points in 24 games (15 g, 15 a) and has seven multi-point games this year.

Though the city of Boston and the Husky sweaters are new to Roy this season, he has had the benefit of knowing some familiar faces from the get-go. Freshman Colton Saucerman and sophomore Dax Lauwers were both teammates with Roy last year, playing for the Lincoln Stars in the USHL. While all three play quality minutes for the Huskies, Saucerman and Lauwers know just how skilled Roy really is.

Last year Roy broke records with his numbers through 60 games, with 54 goals and 104 total points in that span. Comparatively, before him the closest in Stars history was 47 goals and 83 total points.

With those stats behind him, Roy is excited about making new history playing in the Beanpot Final this coming Monday. With his trifecta of goals in the semifinal, Roy helped lead Northeastern to its first win over Boston University since 1988--coincidentally the last time the Huskies won the trophy. He also became the first NU player to score a hat trick in the tournament since 2002.

"He's a highly skilled player. He's opportunistic," said Northeastern coach Jim Madigan after Monday night's win. "I said to him before the third period started, 'You've got three in you. There's another one in there.' The bigger the stage for him, the bigger the event, he likes to rise to the occasion."

While his stage has grown a bit since his 13-year-old days, his wow-factor continues to impress and continues to provide Northeastern with some quality offense.

Roy has one of the six goals that the Huskies have scored against Boston College this year in the three games they have played against each other so far and the Eagles hold a 2-1 advantage in those contests.

The last time these two teams met in the Beanpot was back in 2011 when BC took a 7-6 overtime win against the Huskies. But Roy knew coming in that history doesn't have to dictate the future of the school or the team.

"I knew BU had more wins [coming into the Beanpot]," Roy said. "Every year, teams change and you can't look back at the history of what happened."

NU head coach Jim Madigan said the same thing, and, with knowing what it's like to win a Beanpot Championship, knows it's going to take the skill and hard work of his entire team to get them the win on Monday.

"I've been a part of this tournament for a long time and heard all of the facts and figures on how Northeastern hasn't beaten Boston University for 15 years," Madigan said. "The facts and figures don't win hockey games. It's hard work."

UNH bounces back with big win over BC to earn weekend split

2013-01-13T04:06:41Z

It's amazing what 24 hours can do to a team.

Just one day prior, the University of New Hampshire Wildcats left Conte Forum with a "bad taste in their mouth" after being scourged in a 5-2 loss to Boston College. But the beauty of a home-and-home series, is that the time off the ice is so short, that it leaves no time to dwell on the bad, but leaves enough time to recall just how bad it was.

"We were angry," said UNH senior John Henrion. "I think we left it out there tonight. We were extremely disappointed with our performance last night. And there was a sour taste before tonight's [game], but obviously tonight's win turns it around."

And it was quite the turnaround.

Similar to Friday night's game, the Wildcats struck first blood. It took almost 40 minutes of play in this game, but sophomore Matt Willows netted his first collegiate goal to give UNH the 1-0 lead with just 47 seconds left to in the second.

Willows' goal came after an evenly matched, tight first period and slightly more aggressive second period. Minutes before UNH took the lead, things grew a little heated as BC's Michael Matheson was called for hitting from behind which earned him two minutes in the penalty box. As soon as the Eagles killed off the minor, Matheson found UNH's Kevin Goumas and knocked him to the ice which resulted in a 5-minute contact-to-the-head major penalty and a 10 minute game misconduct.

Though that could have been the prime opportunity for UNH to capitalize in a convincing and authoritative way, they were left with little more than a couple of scoring opportunities.

"It's a lot of urgency," Henrion said. "We knew it was a big chance, could have been a huge turning point as it was in the game. So we were really confident."

After those five minutes however, with a two-minute 5-on-3 opportunity in the middle, and nothing to show for it, UNH had to find someway to come out of it with momentum, and Willows was the one that provided that spark.

"It feels great," Willows said. "It feels great to get the first one after two years and get the weight off my shoulders."

The Wildcats left the second period with a 1-0 lead and a 21-3 shot advantage in that period alone.

But BC didn't go quietly.

7:57 into the final frame, a bad turnover by UNH's Dan Correale right in front of goaltender Casey DeSmith allowed Eagles forward Dyroff Brooks to take a quick shot and tie the game rather easily at one a piece.

UNH was able to recover, and after another Boston College penalty called on Kevin Hayes for tripping, the Wildcats managed to add a power play goal, courtesy of Henrion who shoved it past Parker Milner with 4:48 left in the third period to give his team the 2-1 lead.

It took until the very last second for the Wildcats to secure the two points, when with less than two minutes to go in the game, a barrage of shots left bodies flailing in the UNH crease and a hidden puck. While referees were ready to call a penalty shot for the infraction, they eventually reversed the call.

"[I was] scared," Henrion said. "I was right by the net and I had the puck and I made sure I told the linesman that. I had the puck and it wasn't covered with his hand. It was obviously a pretty scary feeling, but I think were confident that there would be no penalty shot."

UNH improved to 14-4-2 overall and 9-3-1 in Hockey East whereas Boston College dropped to 13-4-2 overall and 10-3-1 in conference.

New Hampshire 4, Boston University 1: Wildcats continue early-season success, beat rival Terriers

2012-10-21T03:18:27Z

After last year’s disappointing end for the UNH Wildcats, after being ousted by the BU Terriers in the Hockey East Quarterfinals, UNH goaltender Casey DeSmith said tonight’s 4-1 win over them was a sweet taste of revenge.

But, more importantly, what was sweeter was how it happened--especially when comparing it to last year.

The Wildcats started off 0-4 in the dismal days at the beginning of the season last year, including their first loss to BU. UNH head coach Dick Umile said they have put extra emphasis on coming out with a bang, making an impression, and finishing it so there are no doubts.

“It feels great. We were determined to start the season off right and make a statement that our program likes to be competing in the top,” Umile said. “And we missed that last year so are determined to get back in it. We are going to take it one game at a time and worry about Hockey East right now.”

Though UNH has only competed in one conference game so far this season, they have showcased their talent across the board. They have scored 13 goals in their first three games, with eight different goal scorers spanning from freshman to senior, first line to fourth. UNH has three power play goals so far this season and have let up only one against them.

Both Umile and BU head coach Jack Parker said that they like what they see in the Wildcats this year, and a lot of it has to do with not only talent, but the balance on the team.

“I talked to [Umile] last night, and I told him I like his team. He said, ‘Yeah, I’m not sure where the goals are coming from,’ and what did they hit, five pipes tonight? They are going to score some goals.”

Not only did they score some goals, but they had a solid performance from sophomore goaltender Casey DeSmith who picked up his third win of the season, with a 24-save effort tonight.

After letting up a tough goal less than a minute into the game, he seemed to calm down and gave the Wildcats a way to win down the stretch. Coming into the season, DeSmith was put as the number one goalie for the first time in his collegiate career. After following former goaltender Matt DiGirolamo last year, he has stepped up into his role seemingly flawless.

“I welcome the challenge,” DeSmith said. “When it’s my net to lose, I know I have to play well and I build off that and feed off that. I work harder and am more focused. So when it’s my net to lose it’s a benefit for me and not as much pressure.”

UNH will play host to the Northeastern Huskies on Friday, October 26 at 7:30 p.m. The Huskies currently sit 2-1-0 overall.

Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara Faces Off Against Ovechkin Overseas in KHL Matchup

2012-10-09T16:51:21Z

Here we sit, with just two days to go before the 2012-2013 regular season was supposed to begin, and NHL fans are feeling, well, underwhelmed. However, despite the lack of the NHL, hockey fans can still tune into some games overseas, including today's matchup between the Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara and Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin.

Again, though it is underwhelming, for any hockey fan, watching these two suit up against each other is always a treat, especially after last season where the Bruins fell in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to the Capitals in seven games.

The game will be aired on ESPN2 at 1 p.m. where the KHL's Dynamo Moscow (Ovechkin) will square off with Lev Praha (Chara). Dynamo Moscow is currently in second place, while Lev Praha sits in fourth.

Lev Praha also features the injured Jakub Voracek from the Philadelphia Flyers and Calgary Flames center Jiri Hudler.

For more Boston Bruins coverage, visit our team page and Stanley Cup Of Chowder.

NHL Lockout 2012: Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara Latest Loss to Boston

2012-10-02T16:57:11Z

Remember when everyone was excited for the Bruins to go play in Prague a couple years ago? Well, this is kind of like that, except it's just Bruins captain Zdeno Chara heading over there, and he won't be playing in a spoked-B jersey-- he'll be playing for the KHL until the lockout is over.

Announced by his agent earlier this afternoon, one the Boston's favorites is following in the footsteps of his teammates, and is lacing up his skates closer to home.

"He has friends there, and it's within hours of his home in Slovakia and it's a great hockey city," agent Matt Keator said.

He will be playing with the Lev Praha (Prague Lions), and you can bet they'll be okay with the 6'9" defenseman joining their team.

Chara is now the sixth Bruins player to head overseas. This is all on the brink of the NHL announcing the cancellation of the first regular season games.

For more Boston Bruins coverage, visit our team page and Stanley Cup Of Chowder.

NHL Lockout 2012: Bruins' Rich Peverley Signs With Finnish Club JYP

2012-09-24T15:10:35Z

Another one bites the dust, and this time it's Rich Peverley who will travel abroad to play some hockey this season.

Peverley, who proved to have a big role on the team last year, and who signed a 3-year contract extension with the Bruins at the beginning of last season will play for JYP in the SM-liiga while the NHL continues to be in conversation with the NHLPA.

While Peverley is the newest Bruins player to take the plunge, another teammate, Nathan Horton will not play during the Lockout. After being injured for the last half of the season with a concussion, the Bruins forward has opted to stay off the ice during discussions.

Peverley is the fifth Bruin to jump ship (or perhaps just jump on a floating vessel) so far since the NHL locked out in mid-September. While labor negotiations don't seem to be going anywhere any time soon, the rest have stayed put for now.

For more Boston Bruins coverage, visit our team page and Stanley Cup Of Chowder.

Ference, Seidenberg Next to Head Out Across The Pond During NHL Lockout

2012-09-22T13:08:23Z

Tyler Seguin opted to head to Switzerland after the NHL Lockout knocked him out of his position, and now Andrew Ference and Dennis Seidenberg have also made some decisions, as both look across The Pond to lace their skates up.

Ference already noted earlier this week that he will be heading to HC Ceske Budejovice of the Czech Extraliga on Oct. 7 if the NHLPA and NHL don't get their acts together and come to terms.

Now, Seidenberg has come out to say that the will play for Adler Mannheim and could play with them as early as September 28. Seidenberg and fellow German colleague Marcel Goc (Florida Panthers) both made the leap, though travel arrangements have not yet been made by Seidenberg.

One of the benefits of Seidenberg heading back to play with Adler is that he will have the chance to play with his brother Yannic back in Germany, something that he's thought about recently.

For more Boston Bruins coverage, visit our team page and Stanley Cup Of Chowder.

Boston Bruins: Chiarelli Picks Up Bourque; Sends Hamill Away

2012-05-26T23:15:53Z

Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced earlier this evening that center Zach Hamill will no longer don the spoked B, and will head south to join the Washington Capitals this offseason. In return, Boston picked up 26-year-old forward Chris Bourque, son of Bruins Hall-of-Famer, Ray Bourque.

Hamill finished this last season with the Bruins with only two points in 16 games. After being drafted 8th overall by the Bruins in the 2007 NHL draft, Hamill had shown some signs of improvement, but it wasn't enough for Chiarelli to keep him around. Along with his two points this season, the 23-year-old had four penalty minutes. He also played 41 games with the Providence Bruins where he picked up 21 points.

Meanwhile Bourque had 27-66=93 point this season with the Hershey Bears, and accumulated 42 penalty minutes. Stacking up at 5'8 and 180-lbs, the Boston native has the opportunity to make himself a new name in Beantown and add even more history to the Bourque name here.

For more Boston Bruins coverage, visit our team page and blog, Stanley Cup of Chowder.