Preview: RPI at Boston College
The Engineers take on #3 BC for the first time since the 2015-16 season
For the first time in 8 years, RPI will take on one of the sport’s true blue bloods when they travel to Chestnut Hill to take on BC. For me, this is a special game because I grew up in the Boston area watching BC and BU in the Beanpot every year, and even as kids and teenagers, you know how good those programs are. Ever since I started at RPI, I’ve wanted RPI to play both those teams, and I’m glad they’re finally facing off against one of them.
Boston College Team Outlook
BC is an extremely talented team with a potent offense and stingy defense. It’s a small sample size of 2 games, but so far, they have scored 3 goals per game and allowed only 1.5 goals against per game. Their close corsi % in these games is 64.6% showing their play-driving dominance as well.
In terms of scoring chances, they haven’t been quite as dominant, but they are still very good. They are averaging a 3.2-2.5 margin in xG and a 20-12 margin in scoring chances.
Overall, they look like a fairly complete team.
Biggest Threats
Where do I even begin?
For those keeping track at home, that’s 8 out of their top 9 forwards drafted (not sure why Jack Malone is listed as undrafted) and 5 out of their top 7 defensemen.
Starting up front, BC has 4 first round picks, 2 of which were picked in the top 5 of the NHL draft in back to back years (Cutter Gauthier, Will Smith), and 3 of which were drafted in the top 10 ( add Ryan Leonard). They supplement those players with Andre Gausseau (29 points last year), Oskar Jellvik (17 points), and Colby Ambrosio (21 points). Will Vote may not be drafted, but he still played on the NTDP last year. To top it all off, Jack Malone transferred in for his 5th year from Cornell after 17 points last season. The top 9 is loaded with high-end talent and depth. The 4th line is more of a gritty, checking line that should complement their scoring talent well throughout the year.
The blue line is just as good. All 5 draft picks can really skate and move the puck well in all zones, which has been a large part of their early success this season. The 2 undrafted defensemen are actually among their better defensemen too. Bengtsson received a lot of pro interest while at Lake State with 50 points over the last 2 seasons but decided to transfer instead of signing. Lukas Gustafsson was excellent in the USHL and had 19 points last year as a freshman.
Last but not least, Jacob Fowler is the #1 in net as a freshman. He was drafted in the 3rd round by Montreal after he was 2nd in the USHL in SV% (0.921) and led Youngstown to a Clark Cup. He’s been up to the task in the 2 games this season with a 0.929 SV%.
Summary
BC is loaded; there’s no doubt about that. They’re similar to Maine in that they have high-end talent and depth to create a pretty potent lineup. Their high-end talent is even better than Maine’s with their top tier NHL prospects, and the depth might be better too with the other NHL prospects playing key roles and succeeding.
However, I suspect that RPI actually matches up better with BC than Maine for a few reasons. Maine plays an extremely structured game that really limited time and space for RPI last weekend. They have a great mix of experience, skill and grit that makes them a very well-rounded team. Then, when they add in a huge commitment to playing that aforementioned structured game, they become not only well-rounded but also extremely difficult to beat.
BC has a lot more inexperience in the lineup. At forward, 7 out of BC’s top 9 are freshmen and sophomores. 4 out of the 7 defensemen are freshmen and sophomores. These younger players will be more prone to mistakes, which will lead to more opportunities for the Engineers. BC also does not play with that same kind of structure as Maine because of their elite talent. The lack of structure will also be a benefit for RPI because their transition game should be much more successful with more time and space to survey options and find seams to attack.
Lastly, BC’s status should actually help RPI a lot. There are zero expectations on the road against a team ranked #3 in the country. #2 Denver at #3 BC on Saturday is getting all the attention right now and is being billed nationally as a top game of the weekend. I have seen numerous BC fan tweets about it and some national media coverage of it so far, and in all of those, I have seen literally zero mentions of the fact that BC plays RPI the night before. The game is being overlooked, and while the team and players certainly are preparing for the Engineers and won’t prepare for Denver until Saturday, I think it’s impossible to not let the outside noise slide into your head about the huge matchup with Denver. With RPI’s play last year and last weekend against Maine, it makes sense that they are viewed as an easy win. But if BC lets that get into their heads and comes out flat expecting an easy tune-up win before Denver, RPI has to take advantage.
Only can get better.. very impressive lineup at BC tons of USA & New York players in their lineup! Whats the status of Jakob Lee? Who would you start in net? Lets Go RED!!!