Frozen Four 2012: Boston College Shows Why They’re Favorites In 6-1 Win Over Minnesota

The Boston College Eagles are an absolute monster. We all saw first-hand why they’re the favorite in this 2012 Frozen Four on Thursday night as they decimated the Minnesota Golden Gophers 6-1 to advance to the national final against Ferris State on Saturday. It’s their 18th straight win.

Milner was up to the task. He made several saves in quick succession to preserve the shutout in the first period and was huge in the second period as Minnesota hit the gas. After one particularly large save about 17 minutes into the period, the Eagles were able to capitalize in transition and open the score to 3-0 thanks to a turnover by the Gophers at the blue line.

This is what the Boston College hockey team does. It looked as though Minnesota was ready to make a charge in the second period. Despite the Golden Gophers allowing a power play goal at the 6:35 mark, giving the Eagles a 2-0 lead, Minnesota yet again seemed to control much of the play for at least the first 15 minutes of action.

Just two minutes later, Paul Carey scored on a broken transition play to give the Eagles a 4-0 lead. Make a mistake and BC will capitalize. The Gophers made too many mistakes in the second period, and... well, it looks like their season could be over as a result.

Boston College is really, really good at this hockey thing. The second-best offensive club in the nation made the Minnesota Golden Gophers defense look silly about seven and a half minutes into the first period of their 2012 Frozen Four matchup, dancing around what appeared to be maroon-colored pylons and scoring the first goal of the game.

The Eagles escaped the first period with the lead, but if they’re not able to turn the tide, Milner won’t be able to hold off the Gophers on his own much longer.

The Boston College Eagles hockey team may be the favorites at the 2012 Frozen Four, but that doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed victory. The Minnesota Golden Gophers, a worthy foe, will try to keep down the potent BC attack in their attempt to seal the upset and advance to Saturday’s national championship game.

No. 2 Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. No. 1 Boston College Eagles

Thursday, April 5, 8 p.m. ET | TV: ESPN 2

Tampa Bay Times Forum, St. Petersburg, Fla.

It’s rare that a team can be labeled the best in its sport from start to finish in a season, and also be labeled that sport’s champion.

Playoffs add drama, but let’s face the facts. Tournaments -- especially those where eliminations come in one-and-done scenarios -- are not designed to figure out what team is the best. They’re designed to create drama and excitement and provide a great environment for competitors.

Between a dozen goals and two shutouts, something has to give.

After two shutout wins against Air Force and Minnesota Duluth in the Regional Round of the 2012 NCAA men’s ice hockey championship, the Boston College Eagles put their 17-game unbeaten streak on the line against the University of Minnesota in the second of two Frozen Four semifinal matchups Thursday.