CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — For a team like Boston College that hasn’t experienced much success out-of-conference over the past few years, Friday’s season-opening, 5-3 win over Wisconsin was extra sweet.
“It’s nice to win a non-conference game,” BC head coach Jerry York remarked with a smile.
It wasn’t just any old, run of the mill season opener. Friday’s tilt pitted two of college hockey’s perennial powers. Wisconsin and Boston College combined for 21 NHL draft picks, including six first rounders, and another player who is expected to be a first round selection in 2020.
Each team had three first rounders and five of the six had played with each other at USA Hockey’s NTDP. Five of the six were playing in their first collegiate game.
BC freshman Matt Boldy, the 12th overall pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 draft, admitted that it was a little weird, but also extra special to go up against and defeat his former teammates and friends.
“It feels good. Some of these guys are my best friends. I spent every day with them for the last two years. Knowing them and playing against them is a little different. Getting a win regardless is good, but against them was even sweeter,” said Boldy, a Millis, Mass., native who played prep hockey at Dexter.
Improved Eagles
Boston College outscored Wisconsin, 5-0, at even strength. Special teams is an area that York and company surely would like to clean up, as the Badgers struck twice on the power play and once on the penalty kill.
That being said, Boston College looked quicker and came at Wisconsin in waves. The forecheck was executed well and kept UW on its heels all night.
“We played a solid game in all three zones tonight. We’re better than we were last year. We’re quicker,” said York.
Over the years, BC has had plenty of stars come through the program, but role players are a key ingredient to winning hockey games. BC has made a concerted effort on the recruiting trail over the last two years to get a little heavier in the bottom six. That showed with tonight’s stellar play from freshman Mike Hardman and sophomores Jack McBain and Marc McLaughlin.
“Our big line with McBain, McLaughin and Hardman, they’re strong and assertive. The other two lines are dynamic, but those guys can really cycle the puck. They’ll get better and more physical as the year goes along,” York commented.
Chiseled veterans
While much of the hype surrounding the game centered around the seven rookies with significant NHL upside, the seniors scored three of BC’s five goals. Julius Mattila scored BC’s first two goals of the game and David Cotton would score the fifth and final goal to give his team all the cushion it would need.
“They came out hard. They skated better than us tonight. If you look at the experience that team has, they played like a more experienced team. It’s s a very talented team, as well. They outplayed us tonight,” said Wisconsin head coach Tony Granato.
Mattila centered the top line with Cotton on the left wing and junior Logan Hutsko on the right wing. The trio were with each other for most of last season and have developed cohesion as a line.
“It makes it so much easier if you have guys like Julius and Logan to bail you out and make plays. Being with them for two years, you can see the chemistry we have. We just know where each other are,” said Cotton.
Cotton and Mattila are just two of the nine seniors that York and his coaching staff elected to dress on opening night.
“The maturity of the senior class,” York began. “We have four senior defensemen. We’re kind of fueled by that. Our seniors are going to be our go-to guys.”
“The senior class has done a really good job making us feel at home. They’ve been awesome to us. The atmosphere they’ve created is awesome. I think we have the best senior class in college hockey on and off the ice,” Boldy added.
For a program that has traditionally been on the younger side, it might not be everyday that an opposing coach can speak to the Eagles being more experienced. At least for Friday night, it was true. And, it helped the Eagles come out on the right side of the scoreboard.
Cotton adding another step
David Cotton, who was a Second Team East All-American in 2018-19, came back for his senior season to graduate with his classmates and get one more crack at making it to the NCAA Tournament.
Uncharacteristically, the Eagles haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since the 2015-16 season, which was the year before Cotton and his classmates arrived.
While Cotton had a good junior year and is closing in on the century mark in points for his BC career, the expectation is that Cotton can still crank his game up to an even higher level. If Friday night was any indication, the Parker, Texas, native is ready to do so.
Cotton has always been a big power forward, but he was outstanding against the Badgers. He used his size and length to protect pucks and he drove the net. He was explosive down low and got himself into positions to make an impact offensively.
“His confidence is so much better. He’s an outstanding hockey player. This year, he’s more assertive. If you watch tonight, he was a really effective hockey player, as he’s been. This is his best hockey he’s played,” said York.
While he’s still property of the Carolina Hurricanes, Cotton will have the option of waiting until August 15th and becoming a free agent. For that very reason, the former Cushing star will be one of the most watched players in college hockey this season.
Impact freshmen
Boldy had a goal in his collegiate debut, but he had more than a handful of shifts where his presence was felt. A big power forward, his hockey sense is what stands out immediately, as it has for a few years now.
Boldy’s vision allowed him to make two or three really nice passes. Boldy was on a line with center Alex Newhook, his roommate and a first round pick of the Colorado Avalanche. The duo connected a few times for golden opportunities, although Boldy was the only one to find the score sheet.
“Right now, it’s going to continue to get better and better. We’re roommates so I see a lot of him,” said Boldy, of his and Newhook’s chemistry on the ice.
“He’s an unbelievably skilled player. He’s strong on the puck and he does it with so much skill. His passes are incredible. I’m more than comfortable giving him the puck. The trust we have in each other is huge,” continued Boldy.
The transition from NTDP to college is eased by the fact Boldy and his teammates on the U-18 team played a handful of exhibition games against college teams last year. However, his advanced hockey sense and ability to play and think the game at a fast pace will serve him well.
“The way I play, I like to think and play the game fast. I want to know where I’m going with it before I get it. Hockey is hockey. You make the adjustments as you go and do what you can to keep producing,” said Boldy.
While there will be plenty of eyes, between fans, media, scouts and upper management, on him, Boldy maintains his only immediate goal is that of the team’s success.
“I don’t feel too much pressure. Growing up, I’ve always wanted to come here. It’s a dream come true to me. I’m more focused on that and doing what we can with the team to have a successful year.”
All three of Wisconsin’s goals were scored by Boldy’s NTDP teammates. Two power play goals came off the stick of Cole Caufield, a first round pick of the Montreal Canadiens. While undersized, Caufield always seems to be in a position to score and he gets it off quickly. The other tally was a shorthanded strike by Owen Lindmark, a fifth round selection of the Florida Panthers.
