Teams: Boston College (29-7-1) and Merrimack (25-8-4) face each other in the Hockey East Championship Game.
Date/Time: Saturday, March 20, 2011, 7pm
Broadcast: Tom Caron and Craig Janney have the call for NESN. Because of the Boston Bruins-Toronto Maple Leafs game, the Hockey East Championship game will be moved to NESNplus for live coverage, then shown tape-delayed on NESN after Bruins coverage. If you are watching NESN on a National carrier, you will see the Hockey East game and not the Bruins game because of NHL broadcast restrictions. NESNplus stations can be found here.
Merrimack radio will have the call on 1400 AM in the Merrimack Valley and online on B2 Networks. BC radio will have Mike O’Brien and Ken Hodge on the call on www.bceagles.com.
Location: TD Garden
Series History: Merrimack took the three game season series on Boston College this season, 2-1. The Eagles won their first matchup on October 29th, 3-2 off of the stick of junior right winger Cam Atkinson, who tallied a goal and assist. The Warriors took the next two matchups, a October 30th 4-2 win off a big game from Joe Cucci and Carter Madsen, and November 16th 5-3 off a goal and two assists from sophomore center Stephane Da Costa.
Merrimack junior left winger Ryan Flanigan has a goal in all three games against BC this season. BC’s Atkinson has tallied at least a goal a game against Merrimack this season, including a two goal game in their November matchup.
BC senior goaltender John Muse started two of the three games this season against Merrimack, making 30 saves on October 29th and 27 on November 26th. Merrimack senior Joe Cannata started all three game between the pipes for the Warriors, making a season high 39 saves against the Eagles on October 29th.
Merrimack and BC last met in the Hockey East tournament at the Garden in 1998, in a semifinal game that BC won 7-2.
BC In The Hockey East Championship Game: This is BC’s 15th appearance in the championship game in the league’s 27 year history. This is also the Eagles sixth appearance in seven years. Goalie Muse is has an amazing 12-1 career record in Hockey East tournament games. BC has won seven straight games played in the TD Garden.
Merrimack in the Hockey East Championship Game: Saturday evening will be Merrimack’s first ever appearance in the Hockey East championship game.