(Box from my notes, online sources)
Friday, March 7, 2003 at Kelley Rink (Conte Forum), Chestnut Hill, MA
BC 4, MC 1 HOCKEY EAST QUARTERFINALS GAME 1
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MERRIMACK COLLEGE (HE) 0 0 1 - 1 (12-17-6 overall, 7-13-4 HE)
BOSTON COLLEGE (HE) 2 0 2 - 4 (22-9-4 overall, 16-6-2 HE)
Shots on Goal Pen - Min Power Play
MC 8- 3- 2 -- 13 23 - 87 0 - 2
BC 16-11- 8 -- 35 17 - 67 2 - 7
MC - Joe Exter 14-11- 4 - 29 saves/2 goals (53:43)
Casey Guenther x- x- 2 - 2 saves/2 goals ( 6:17)
BC - Matti Kaltiainen 8- 3- 1 - 12 saves/1 goal (60:00)
Referee - Jeff Bunyon
Assistants - John Jones, Tim Low
Attendance - 2477
1st Period
BC1 Ryan Shannon 13 (David Spina, Peter Harrold) PPG 16:28
BC2 Ben Eaves 18 (Pat Eaves, J.D. Forrest) 18:58
2nd Period
No scoring
3rd Period
MC1 Brent Gough 11 (Rob Lalonde) 4x4 14:58
BC3 Ryan Shannon 14 (Andrew Alberts, David Spina) 4x4 15:16
BC4 Andrew Alberts 6 (David Spina, Ryan Shannon)PPG 4x3 18:13
3 Stars - None selected
COMMENTS
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This is a hard game to report on, with the serious injury to Merrimack
goaltender Joe Exter suffered late in the third period on a hard full-speed
collision with BC's Patrick Eaves. At this time (Saturday afternoon)
Exter is reported to be in stabilized but serious condition in a Boston
hospital with a fractured skull; the last I heard he had still not
regained consciousness. I'll try to report what I saw and leave the
flaming and anger to the idiots in other online forums.
Boston College won the game 4-1, dominating throughout and carrying a 2-0
lead late into the game. After Exter's injury and subsequent mayhem on the
ice, Merrimack had an opportunity with power play time to have a shot at
winning the game. However, their anger and emotion was focused on
retaliation and aggressiveness at that time, and they took subsequent
penalties to remove any chance at recovery. It was a quiet game for most
of its length, with just a few minor penalties in the first 53 minutes.
This despite concerns that Merrimack would want to extract revenge for
a season-ending injury suffered by Marco Rosa in a hard hit by BC's
Andrew Alberts in their last matchup. The Warriors clearly understood that
giving BC power play opportunities would work against them, and they played
hard but legal for most of the game, as did BC. There were signs of
tension in some of the chippiness and extra shots after the whistle, etc.,
but referee Jeff Bunyon let most things go and it didn't seem out of line
for any college hockey game.
BC opened the first period with Ryan Shannon getting a point-blank shot off
a bad Merrimack clearing attempt, but Exter made the save. Dave Spina took
a slashing penalty early on but neither Merrimack or BC (on a Tony Voce
steal) could capitalize. BC carried a lot of the play and had forecheck
pressure for many minutes after that but got few shots and Exter was able
to block or glove all that came his way. Tim Reidy had a glorious chance
on a slot setup but fanned on it and things remained scoreless. BC got
a power play when Brendon Clark got called for a retaliation penalty and
had the puck behind Exter on a open forward's nice move in front, but it
slid through the crease and out (possibly off the post?) A couple of
minutes later MC's Matt Johnson lost his helmet in a collision and did not
go immediately to the bench, but rather stayed on the ice to run
interference
for his teammates. That was called for delay of game and the Eagles were
able to capitalize late in the power play. Peter Harrold sent a shot toward
the net from the blue line, and the rebound came to a wide-open Spina at
the left post. Somehow Exter got across to prevent that shot from going
in, but the puck slid to Shannon alone in front and he had a easy tap-in
with the net open for the 1-0 lead. Merrimack was pushing hard right after
that trying to get the equalizer and got caught deep in the BC zone as
BC got a 4-on-1 breakout. Ben Eaves took a pass on the left and glided
deep into the circle before unleashing a sharp wrister that scored low to
the far side for a 2-0 BC margin.
The second period was even more dominated by BC overall, but Merrimack had
a couple of setups at the far post that were just wide of the driving free
forward's reach or were tipped wide. Merrimack was able to limit the BC
shots as well, as they skated hard, but they could not penetrate the BC
defense for much of the time. Both teams handed out some hard checks
midway through the period, and Cam DeYoung was finally called for a
cross-checking penalty on the boards. However, Exter was a stone wall and
his defense did enough to prevent BC from reaching rebounds and the period
ended with no scoring.
Early in the third period BC's Steve Gionta went off the ice with a leg
injury, having fallen hard into the boards while forechecking. BC carried
most of the play and the Warriors were forced to play defense rather than
generating any comeback opportunities. Ben Eaves had a one-timer deflected
in front by the defense, and Chris Collins' wraparound shot was covered by
Exter. Midway through the period things started to heat up a bit when
Pat Eaves and Cam DeYoung went off for matching roughings after colliding
in the Merrimack zone. Bryan Schmidt for MC and Alberts for BC both had
big slapshots during the 4-on-4, but the goalies kicked them clear.
Another wrister from Alberts ticked off Exter's glove and drifted just wide
of the post, then Exter saved a Shannon attempt on a break-in setup. Spina
took a hooking penalty at 11:33 but Merrimack generated little offense on
the power play, with BC playing effectively on the PK. It was when that
penalty ended that things took a sad turn.
BC lifted the puck out of the zone on a high clearing dump pass as Spina
left the penalty box and went to the BC bench, to be replaced by Pat Eaves.
Merrimack and BC alike probably thought the pass would go for an icing or
be played by Exter easily, but the puck slowed down and Eaves skated hard
after it. Exter decided he had to come out and get to the puck first, so
it was a race for the puck between the two players. Eaves was heading
from his bench across the ice to the puck at the right side. Exter was
angling out from his crease toward his own bench, so the two players were
not going head-on toward each other, but converging on the puck. Each
thought he could get there first, and as the game was only 2-0 and still
in doubt, both wanted to get the puck. Eaves for the breakaway attempt
(and possible empty net as Exter came out), Exter for the clear so his
team would still have a chance. Neither slowed down as they got near
the puck just at the top of the right faceoff circle. Exter dove forward
to poke with his stick at the puck, leaving his momentum head-first toward
the puck, and unfortunately right at Eaves' legs. Eaves got there just
after the puck was poked away but could no longer avoid a collision. By
most accounts, he was trying to lift his leg over Exter but was unable to
do so, and Exter's head met Eaves' knee full-force. Apparently Exter's
head snapped back, losing his helmet, and hit the ice hard. Eaves took a
tumble into the corner against the boards.
As Exter was rolling in difficulty on the ice, several Merrimack players
went after Eaves in anger. At that point things got confusing, as all the
players on the ice converged to the corner, coaches and medical staff and
referees converged on Exter, players left the Merrimack bench to go toward
the BC players, and in large part the crowd didn't notice the severity of
the injury to Exter. Cam DeYoung was absolutely trying to pound on Pat
Eaves, and at least 3 Merrimack players were in the clinch with Eaves,
with linesmen and BC teammates trying to pull them apart. Eaves fought
back, as is usual in those circumstances in hockey. More scrums were
breaking out as BC players tried to tie up their Merrimack counterparts,
and those Warrior players either tried to get loose to go after Eaves or
turned their anger and frustration on the other BC players and started
new scrums. The linesmen went back and forth trying to calm things down,
and after a minute or two it seemed to calm somewhat. Coach Serino had
been forced to yell at his players to get them back to the bench, after
he realized that several of them were trying to get into the action.
Some of the Merrimack players in the stands near the runway, who were not
dressed for the game, jumped down and wanted to get on the ice to go after
people or attend to Exter, but they were both blocked by security and
admonished by Serino to go back. As medical personnel were attending to
Exter, it became more clear that he had a serious injury and things got
a bit quieter (the crowd was incensed at this point, both ways.)
It might have ended there as players started to go toward the penalty box,
but DeYoung came up to Pat Eaves from behind and slugged him, and it
started anew. They were fighting, and then every other set of players
got into it again, with pairings all over the ice near the penalty boxes
and the BC bench. After some time, it finally was settled down and players
sent to the penalty box or the locker room. 4 players each on both teams
were assessed double minors for roughing and hitting after the whistle.
Cam DeYoung was given a fighting major and game DQ. However, when they
announced the penalties to Pat Eaves, the crowd was very unhappy, as he
was given 2 majors and 2 game DQ's, one for fighting (most agreed this was
necessary) and one for intent to injure (which almost no one agreed with.)
Initially, it appeared that no penalty was being assessed for Merrimack
having 9 players on the ice in the fighting and action, and that also did
not sit well with the crowd. They did then announce a 2-minute bench
minor for Merrimack, either for too many men or unsportsmanlike conduct.
(It wasn't clear what it was called for.)
To be sure, tempers were extremely high at that point, but it took a long
time before the game started again. Doctors were attending to Exter for
a long time, the surgeon was called, his parents were on the ice with him.
At one point you could see them holding his body down as it was flailing
back and forth (later revealed as a seizure) and they had to work hard
at saving his life at that point. Eventually they were able to immobilize
him and stabilize him enough to get him on the stretcher and off to the
hospital.
The game finally started again with Casey Guenther in net for Merrimack,
and a 4-on-4 situation. Merrimack would be getting a 3-minute power play
after the extra 2-minute penalty ended, so they had a chance. Things got
rough in a hurry, as Merrimack was putting pressure on and had a player
go down when Chris Collins had his stick between his legs. No call was
made, then Collins was cross-checked to the ice in retaliation, and no
call was made. Brent Gough got the Warriors within one on a strong move
down the slot, fighting off a stick check and wristing one off the goalie's
body and into the net. It looked like it might be a tough finish for BC,
but they came right back on the next shift and scored themselves. Andrew
Alberts was fed the puck at the right side of the crease as he pinched in
but couldn't get it on net. However, he was able to collect it on the
back boards and pass to Shannon all alone right in front of Guenther, and
he slid a low shot into the goal. At that point, it was apparent that
BC would probably hold on for the win, and tempers boiled over again.
Just 15 seconds later a Merrimack player clipped down Spina coming into
the MC zone, and they confronted the BC players as if they wanted to fight
but were separated. No score took place on the shortened power play or
the subsequent 4-on-4 play (Eaves' major was still in effect), but Spina
had a shot on a long break pass and was blocked. However, Schmidt took
exception to Spina and went looking for trouble, and the referee tossed him
with a 10-minute misconduct; Schmidt went to the locker room yelling at
the ref. Six seconds later Rob Lalonde was called for high-sticking a
BC player behind the net, and after the whistle, Brent Gough reached up
and face-tackled Ty Hennes to the ice. Both received penalties, leading
to 6 Merrimack bodies in the penalty box at that point. On the subsequent
4-on-3, BC scored when Alberts ripped a slap shot from the high slot through
Guenther. As Gough left the box after the goal he mouthed off to the
referee and received a 10-minute misconduct and a trip to the locker room.
Things were testy in the tunnel leading to the locker room as players left
the ice, security was everywhere, and the crowd was yelling at the players
and the Merrimack team. In the last minute of the game there was a normal
check/collision at the BC blue line as Merrimack tried to carry the puck
into the zone, and Lucas Smith obviously was looking for trouble, as he
confronted Bill Cass. When Cass wouldn't respond, Smith slashed Cass and
went after him, both players ended up rolling on the ice throwing punches,
etc. Both received fighting majors and game DQ's, and Smith got an
additional major for slashing. (I don't know if this extra penalty ever
went up on the board or was served by anyone.) Smith was yelling back at
the crowd as he left the ice and security had to move him and others out
of the tunnel area. Finally it all came to an end, and Merrimack went
immediately to the locker room as BC celebrated on the ice. (This was
a good thing, as there would have been more fights if the players tried
to shake hands as is normal following Hockey East contests.)
I wish I could say I am an objective observer with no allegiance to either
team, but I am a BC fan and recognize that I am likely to view things in
a sympathetic light for BC. At the same time, I try to be as objective as
I can, and I know how hockey games are played, with emotion and passion.
That being said, it was unfortunate that Merrimack showed less concern for
their injured captain and friend and more interest in attempting to exact
blood in retaliation. There were several attempts late in the game to
injure BC players in retaliation, and none of them were called for any
intent to injure. The hit between Eaves and Exter was horrific in its
outcome, and no one could have foreseen the terrible results. I have
read a lot online in various places where people have flamed each other
back and forth about the incident and its aftermath, and heard some of
the callers on sports talk radio in Boston as I returned home last night.
I don't think anyone is handling this too rationally at the moment, due
to the severity of the injury. We all hope the Joe will recover fully,
but I think it will be a long road to recovery and it remains to be seen
what the final result will be.
Everyone else has stated an opinion, so I'll mention mine. I don't believe
that Eaves should have received a penalty for intent to injure and I don't
think he deserved a double DQ. This was NOT a case of a player "running
the goalie" and did not fall into the typical category of collision. Many
have taken Eaves to task for not trying to "avoid" the collision, and not
recognizing the special status of goalies. I don't think the circumstances
of this collision lend themselves to that interpretation. Yes, he could
have pulled up at the blue line and conceded possession of the puck to the
other team. Likewise, Exter could have realized he couldn't reach the
puck safely and gone back toward his net or just interfered with the
onrushing forward. Neither player made a smart play. Neither player
realized the consequences of his action until it was too late. For all
the seriousness of the impact, it could have just as easily been Exter
who upended Eaves and forced him into the boards for another type of
injury. We will not know, as that didn't happen. All hockey fans are
saddened when events of this type occur, and all of us hope and wish only
the best to come of it in the long run.
The question now is, what happens next? Both these teams are scheduled to
play game 2 in the series tonight at 8:00 pm (later start due to this
afternoon's basketball game in the same arena.) Each is missing several
players. BC is missing Gionta due to injury, and Cass and Pat Eaves due
to disqualifications. (Eaves is due to miss 5 games as these constitute
his 2nd and 3rd DQ's of the season.) Merrimack is without Cam DeYoung
and Lucas Smith due to their DQ's, and is already missing Rosa and
another player with injuries. And now, of course, they are missing their
captain, leader, probably best player, and goaltender Joe Exter. The
league intends to talk to the coaches and teams before the contest, and
the coaches also intend to talk to their teams about playing hockey and
not extending the problems. It isn't clear that any of that will work.
Merrimack is a heavy underdog with Exter out, and their season is about
to end while they are angry and frustrated. BC will probably try not to
initiate any rough stuff, but they do play with an edge, play a
forechecking and heavy stick check style, and are likely to defend
themselves if they feel they are accosted. I just don't know which way
this is likely to go. I know numerous people who left the game early
last night in disgust, and I expect more will not attend tonight for the
same reason. But others will come to see if there will be trouble. I
expect security to be tight and overly emotional actions to be stepped
on hard. We will see.
The one thing that all people should be able to agree on is the desire to
see Joe Exter recover from his injuries, and for the rest of the world to
act calmly and rationally. Let's hope for the best.
Rick McAdoo
"Volunteer reporter"
A concerned BC fan. GO EAGLES!
(For those who care, note I have another new email address)
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