by Sam Nestler/CHN Reporter
Boston College is the most skilled team in the country.
The Eagles pack a heaping serving of NHL Draft picks, including six from 2023 alone. They have many of the nation’s leading scorers, and their special teams have been excellent because of it.
During the regular season, BC had the second-best power play in the country, going 30 percent. Leading the way were their top players, with Cutter Gauthier and Ryan Leonard tied for second in the NCAA with 13 power-play goals each, Gabe Perreault tallying nine, and of course, Will Smith leading the entire country with 46 assists.
“Talented players are really good off the rush and really good on the power play,” Michigan coach Brandon Naurato said of BC’s skill. “Team success comes from play in the offensive zone. If you want to score goals, you have to have players who can score. You want to score goals year in and year out? I think it’s style of play. We lost eight first-rounders two years ago, and we scored more goals each consecutive year. It’s not just talent, it’s being on the same page, style of play, and being predictable to each other.”
That skill, style of play, and the power-play success because of it have been at the forefront during their run to the 2024 Frozen Four. BC went 2-for-5 in its first win against Michigan Tech, and again in a 5-4 overtime victory against Quinnipiac in the quarterfinals. That 40 percent success rate ranks first.
But behind the obvious big names, there is another player that has helped the power play, and the Eagles’ overall game all season. Senior defenseman Eamon Powell is the ‘fifth man’ on the Boston College power play. And it is obvious why. But that doesn’t mean he has not had a massive impact.
“There’s a lot of talent on this team for sure. I could tell you in practice, guarding some of those guys is not fun,” Powell said.
In 38 regular-season games, the 2020 fourth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning recorded five goals and 35 assists. A point-per-game player.
In the first round, Powell tallied three assists, two on the power play. And against Quinnipiac, another two in a game which BC did not lead until the overtime goal.
“They are a really strong team,” Powell said about Quinnipiac. “They play their…
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