Boston University

Terriers’ problems are both serious and overblown.

When I first wrote a column about Boston University’s hockey team and its trouble with the law, it was about two isolated rape incidents. I cautioned that people shouldn’t slam the university over the actions of two players.

Well, this past week the Boston Globe obtained a report which lays out in detail a culture of “sexual entitlement” and a wide variety of academic allegations.

My opinion of the school has changed … but not as much as you might think.

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Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems

Every team in hockey has problems, but the weird thing is that two of the most successful organizations are the ones with the most glaring issues.

The Chicago Blackhawks, Stanley Cup champs just two years ago, are struggling, plain and simple. At one point earlier this season, the Blackhawks had the best record in the Western Conference, the Madhouse at Madison was rocking, and they were the trendy pick to be a Stanley Cup participant.

Now, Chicago has stumbled frequently and would be the sixth seed in the playoffs if the season ended today. The Blackhawks also have a below-.500 record on the road (the only top-eight team to have one) and have only a plus-6 goal differential.

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On college hockey’s best rivalry, and the NHL’s best team.

Beanpot Tournament

As a major college hockey fan, I’ve seen some pretty impressive rivalries – North Dakota-Minnesota and Denver-Colorado College – up close. The one rivalry people can’t stop talking about is the Beanpot rivalry in Boston.

For those who are unfamiliar, the Beanpot is a unique tournament held on consecutive Monday nights every February between the four college teams in Boston: Boston University, Boston College, Harvard, and Northeastern.

The winning team not only gets bragging rights over its rivals, it hoists the coveted Beanpot trophy in front of a sold-out crowd. BU and BC typically dominate, having won 46 of the 60 tournaments (BU, 29; BC, 17). Harvard has won the Beanpot 10 times, most recently in 1993, while perennial underdog Northeastern has won four – none since 1988.

Continue reading “On college hockey’s best rivalry, and the NHL’s best team.”