Thursday evening at the FleeceCenter in semifinal two of the NC$$'s, the
Boston College Eagles defeated the Buckeyes of Ohio State 5-2.  This
contest featured some rough play at times, but was generally a more
exciting event.  BC used their team speed advantage to go around and
through a surging OSU squad and thus make the final.
 
The action started with Boston College looking and passing and creating some
good early pressure.  The Eagles were using their swiftness and going for it.
The Buckeyes would periodically spring an attack, but looked like a team
without a plan.  BC got on the scoreboard first when fresher Brian Gionta
(Marty Reasoner) put on a magical burst, broke in all alone, faked the goalie
out of position and tucked the puck into the back of the net.
 
In the second, the Eagles Jeff Farkas (Mike Mottau, Blake Bellefeuille) made
it 2-0 when he cycled in the OSU zone during a 4 on 4 situation, and stuffed
his try.  The Buckeyes were in the middle of a five minute major when BC
picked up minor penalty to level the sides.  However Boston College managed to
maintain their power play and create the nice score.  At that point, it looked
like this game was going to follow the first semifinal and be a blowout for
BC.  Instead, after Ohio killed off the major, they picked up their play and
made things very interesting.  Boston College had always been the first to the
puck, but all of sudden OSU started motoring and making turnovers.  Dan
Cousineau (Tyler McMillan, Ryan Root) followed up a Buckeye break and blasted
the rebounded high glove side.  The tempo of the game picked up.  BC's Farkas
went close on an excellent break, but Ohio Stated stopped the try and released
Cousineau (Todd Compeau, Root) on a long break.  Cousineau tied the match at
two when he drilled his shot through the Eagle goalie.  In the dying seconds
of the period, OSU rung one off the post and were looking like a lethal unit.
 
As the final frame started, the Buckeyes were playing confident hockey, but
Boston College got the key score.  The Eagles had just missed a 2 on 0 break
but came back to take the lead when Gionta laid on the perfect cross-ice back
door feed to captain Reasoner (Gionta, Andy Powers).  Lovely goal!  Late in
the contest, Powers (Gionta, Rod Scuderi) restored BC's two goal advantage
when he took a great lead pass and dusted the Ohio defenders and slipped one
past the netminder.  Reasoner finished the Eagle scoring when he went top far
shelf from a face-off.
 
Ohio State was very good at forcing turnovers, but then seemed somewhat lost
on what to do next.  Perhaps it was the nerves of being at the big waltz?
When the Buckeyes did motor they looked deadly.  Cousineau was a sniper and
took his goals well.  The line of Eric Meloche, Hugo Boisvert and Jean-
Francois Dufour strung together some super passes.  First-year Andre
Signoretti stood out on the blue line with his clever coverage and refined
passes.  What a treat to watch!  The Ohio State man of the match was fresher
goaltender Jeff Maund.  He is a quick stand-up goalie who follows the puck
extremely well.  Maund held OSU in the game for long spells with his
sensational performance.  Love to have him on my team.  Overall, the Buckeyes
were very skillful and added immeasurably to the final four.
 
BC moved the puck exceptionally well.  They used their speed to take control
of the game, and while they relaxed a little and almost gave it away, the
Eagles were able to come back, hit the jets and put this one away.  I was very
impressed with the skilled play of fresher defender Bobby Allen.  He's a
steady, smart blue liner that provides the background for his team to shine.
Another first-year, Marty Hughes also provided fine coverage and did some
great turn and goes.  Farkas was a force on the penalty kill.  He played great
hockey at both ends of the ice and is clearly a cunning finisher.  The line of
Reasoner, Gionta and Powers was electrifying.  They can really turn it on.
Reasoner gets open so well.  Powers balances the line with his touch.  The man
of the match was fresher Gionta.  Wow, what a speedster.  He was all over the
ice and ever the opportunist.  Clearly, you're only as good as your freshers!
Overall, if BC uses its speed, we could have a super final.
 
 
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 good shooting
 hungerf
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