Boston College may have won the Hockey East regular season title by winning both games of a home-and-home weekend against the University of New Hampshire, but it was not without a major setback.
Sophomore left wing Chris Kreider broke his jaw during Friday night's 4-0 at Conte Forum when teammate Brian Gibbons struck him with a clearing pass during the second period. Though Kreider wears a visor (a visor or cage is a requirement in college hockey), the puck found its way in. Kreider fell to the ice, bleeding from the jaw. He was able to get off the ice under his own power.
College Hockey News reports that Kreider was immediately brought to Tufts University Medical Center for X-rays and treatment. . Saturday night, according to SB Nation's BC Interruption, Eagles head coach Jerry York announced that Kreider broke his jaw in two places and would most likely be facing surgery this week. Kreider faces a possible 4-6 weeks away from the ice.
Kreider isn't the first BC player to suffer a broken jaw this season. Defenseman Patch Alber missed five games due to a broken jaw suffered in late December. His original time table for return was six to eight weeks, but returned after only three.
Kreider, a New York Rangers prospect, plays up for big games, as seen as his World Junior Championship performances (10 goals in his two years on the team) and his recent Beanpot MVP title, so BC wouldn't want to be without him come playoff time. But BC Interruption points out one possible bright side to the Kreider injury:
"If Kreider can't go the rest of the season, his presence will definitely be missed on BC's second line. The injury may also make his decision to jump to the pros in the off-season a bit easier."