This year's Senior Night for the Eagles is a little preemptive, as this senior class is far from bidding its final farewell. In last weekend's sweep of UMass-Lowell, Jerry York's squad captured home ice for the Hockey East Playoffs. As the Boston College seniors take the ice against New Hampshire for their final regular season game this Saturday, they will be honored for their accomplishments thus far - but their focus will be squarely on the future.
"It's exciting. It's exciting for the parents, the families. At the same time, we just locked up home ice, so it's technically not our last game. I think that last game of the playoffs [at Conte] will be a little bit more special and emotional," said senior assistant captain Joe Rooney.
Right now though, the UNH Wildcats are the task at hand, and no one on BC's roster will be overlooking them.
"The bottom line is that we have to play our best hockey," said Eagle's captain Brian Boyle. "They're a really solid team, and if we're not disciplined - and by that I mean finishing checks and playing physical in all three zones - then we're going to get exposed."
Boyle and Rooney may be the most noticeable members of the senior class, but there are two other members whose contributions are quite significant. Defensemen Justin Greene and back-up netminder Joe Pearce, also seniors, have helped the team with their hard work and dedication in practice. Although people outside of the Eagles' locker room don't see these contributions, their teammates are certainly aware.
"Pearcey is a top-end goaltender who could be starting at a lot of different schools. It's got to be a tough situation for him, but he's never complained, never been down on himself or anything like that," commented Boyle. "Same thing for Justin, he came in here and just worked hard and he's been a great contributor in practice, playing physical and making it a game-like atmosphere. You're not off-the-hook if you're going against Justin or Joe in practice. If you don't bring it, they're going to make you look silly."
Spring Break
