DETROIT — To become the national champion. It is every team’s goal at the beginning of the season.
But this year, the Boston College Eagles are the only ones who can say they are the best team in college hockey after taking down Wisconsin, 5-0, Saturday night in Ford Field.
Cam Atkinson scored two goals, Joe Whitney added three assists, and goaltender John Muse saved 20 shots to propel BC to its second national title win in three years.
Entering the game, Wisconsin held an advantage over BC in every category, from goals scored per game to goals allowed per game, from power-play efficiency to goals-against average. Yet, it was the Eagle squad’s speed that countered the Badgers’ size, pulling away with blazing acceleration and scrappy defense.
BC blew an even game open in the third period. Only a minute and a half into the final frame, Atkinson took a feed from Joe Whitney at half-ice and simply beat the Badgers down the rink. The two forwards switched as they sped down the ice, with Atkinson opting for the left boards. Once he gained a step on the defenseman, Atkinson swept in toward Badger goaltender Scott Gudmandson’s right and whipped a backhand five-hole to push BC’s lead to 2-0.
Just two minutes later, the Eagles made it a 3-0 game. Brilliant passing down the ice, started by Philip Samuelsson, created a three-on-two BC advantage. Jimmy Hayes cradled the puck on the right boards with a Badger defenseman close by, and just as he was about to run out of real estate, he zipped it across the ice in front of the crease. A streaking Chris Kreider poked a stick out and got enough of it to tap it past Gudmandson.
Atkinson struck again, this time on the power play, with 13 minutes to go. Linemate Brian Gibbons slid Atkinson the puck at the edge of the BC zone and let the sophomore leading-scorer go to work. Once again, Atkinson turned on the jets to beat his defender, and another swift backhand fooled Gudmandson for a 4-0 lead.
Matt Price added an empty-net goal when Wisconsin pulled the goalie with just under five minutes to go to make the game 5-0 Eagles.
The game would not have been the same without the stellar play of Muse, who turned multiple spectacular saves, including on a handful of breakaways, throughout the night. Despite four 50-point scorers and two Hobey Baker finalists, the Badgers failed to generate any offense against a young but immovable set of Eagle defensemen. The Eagles blocked a fantastic 13 shots, keeping the puck away from the net and making it a little easier on Muse.
Ben Smith began the scoring with seven minutes to go in the first period. Steven Whitney gave a beautiful pass from the blue line to Smith, who was sitting in between two defenders in the middle of the Wisconsin zone. He ripped a quick wrister that beat the goalie five-hold to provide an early 1-0 cushion.
Only one team can be National Champion. Because every piece – speedy forwards, relentless defensemen, and a shutdown goaltender – fit together perfectly, BC is that one team in 2010.