9:33 p.m.– All-Tournament Team: forwards Gerbe & Ferriero from BC along with Butler from UNH; defenseman Sneep and Brennan from BC; and goaltender Muse from BC. MVP is Gerbe. Thanks for reading everyone, and tune in again next week from the regionals. Good night from Boston.

9:28 p.m.– And that’s a final, with Gerbe tacking on the empty netter. Vermont had a great run, but BC was sure impressive in the tournament. It’s BC’s eighth title and second straight. BC will go on to the NCAA tournament as one of only two representatives from Hockey East (UNH). This writer’s vote for MVP was Muse, we’ll see if he gets it.

9:12 p.m. — Still 3-0 Eagles, now 6:15 left. If John Muse finishes with the goose egg, it’ll be an incredible 131:20 of shutout time back to UNH’s fourth goal last night. Quite a run here in the league tournament for the rookie goalie, whom many people think was overlooked as the goaltender on the All-Rookie Team. He’s certainly proving himself this weekend.

9:02 p.m. — The Catamounts weren’t able to take advantage on that power play, but they get another crack at it as Gerbe is sent off for checking from behind on an open ice hit with 13:01 left. It’s getting to be close to midnight for Cinderella, however.

8:53 p.m. — Third period underway, and just over two minutes in, BC’s Tim Filangieri is sent off for holding. If Vermont is going to come back in this one, they pretty much need one here.

8:35 p.m. — Another late goal by BC, and this one may have broken the backs of the Catamounts. Orpik does a nice job of drawing a sliding defender to him down low at Fallon’s right, and he slides the puck across the top of the crease to rookie Brian Gibbons (13th) for the easy tap-in at 19:40.8. It’s BC’s fifth PPG in 17 tries in the tournament. 3-0 Eagles after two. Shots in the second: unofficially, 11-4 BC, 22-17 for the game.

8:25 p.m. — Well, both teams have had a chance with the man advantage now, but no additional scoring. The Eagles are still firmly in control of this one, although as we saw last night, Vermont can strike quickly and in bunches at any time. 3:52 left in period number 2. Unofficial shots now favor BC, 20-16.

8:07 p.m. — What a time to score your first of the year. Junior defenseman Tim Kunes picked off a clearing pass high in the slot and quickly wristed it low past Fallon to the stick side to give BC a 2-0 lead 5:01 into the second period. It’s just Kunes’ third goal in 94 career games. BC has carried play this period.

7:54 p.m. — Two minutes till the start of the second. They’ve been running a trivia contest between periods here at the Garden this weekend, and tonight’s contestants were several young ladies decked out in Vermont gear, face paint, the whole shebang. The girls went 1-for-2, guessing correctly that “Friday Night Ice” is on NESN, but incorrectly that BU has had the most All-Academic Team members (Merrimack). They won t-shirts. Did I mention that I hate calling this place the Garden? To me and many people, the real Garden was torn down 13 years ago, God rest its soul (and it sure had soul).

7:41 p.m. — End of the first with BC on top, 1-0. The Eagles scored at 18:32 when Fallon couldn’t control Carl Sneep’s shot from the top of the right circle. The puck rolled behind him after going five-hole, and Ben Smith poked it over the red line for his 21st of the year. Shots were 13-11 Vermont in an evenly played stanza.

7:33 p.m. — 3:34 left, still no score. Last night after losing to Vermont, BU coach Jack Parker talked about how his team could not establish possession of the puck in the offensive zone, that Vermont did a good job of taking it away. Well, the Catamounts seem to be doing that again so far tonight. BC hasn’t had any sustained pressure yet. We’ll see if that continues. Vermont leads in shots, 12-9.

7:27 p.m. — 7:30 left in the first, still scoreless but Vermont just had the best chances of the period with Downing and Vock on a 2-on-1. Muse made two very good saves on the rush. Also of note, Kyle Medvec has really been throwing his weight around for Vermont. He just hit 6-3, 215-pound Andrew Orpik into the boards pretty hard.

7:13 p.m. — 15:36 left in the first and our first TV timeout. Both teams still feeling each other out.

7:04 p.m. — Starting lineups being announced. Loud crowds on both sides, although the rink only seems a little more than half full. Fallon in net for Vermont and Muse for BC.

6:52 p.m. — Tonight’s officials: Tim Benedetto (R), Chris Aughe (AR), Bob Bernard (AR). Game will get underway at 7:05 p.m.

6:40 p.m. — Warmups are just about done, and the 24th Hockey East Championship Game will get underway in about 24 minutes between Boston College and Vermont. Vermont is playing for a bid to the NCAA Tournament — win and they’re in with Hockey East’s automatic bid (and their first ever HEA title), lose and they are done. BC is in, but comes off the triple-OT thriller over UNH last night. The Catamounts, in their first HEA title game, will wear white as the higher seed and have the last change. More to come, so stay tuned.

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008 - 6:43 pm | Hockey East Live Blogging