During the course of a season, every team will go through some adversity. It might be because of injuries or a lack of chemistry or subpar play, but it's going to happen.
Boston College, now 5-4-5 (4-3-4 Hockey East), is hoping it already has had its share. The Eagles lost goaltender Cory Schneider, who elected to turn pro rather than come back for his senior year. Although freshman John Muse has filled in admirably, problems have cropped up elsewhere. Brock Bradford, the fourth-leading scorer as a sophomore last season who averaged better than a point per game, has been out since breaking the humerus in his left arm on opening night against Michigan at the Ice Breaker Tournament in St. Paul. He won't be back until mid- to late January.
In addition, coach Jerry York suspended junior Brett Motherwell and senior Brian O'Hanley, both defensemen, for the season for violating team rules. They played in just one game - against Michigan - and were benched for the Rensselaer game before the punishment was announced. Motherwell elected to leave school and turn pro.
York said that shook up the dressing room and affected how his team played. After going 3-1-2 in October, the Eagles practically went 0 for November, 0-3-3 in their first six games before a 6-2 win over Boston University last Friday. The Eagles also beat the Terriers, 4-3, last Saturday.
"We were looking at two real difference makers," said York of Bradford and Motherwell. "So, that was a tough start. But it strengthened us to the point that [freshmen forwards Brian] Gibbons and [Joe] Whitney had to come in and play more.
"Rules are rules and you're not going to make exceptions even if the guy is a real good player. I never try to decide [the punishment] based on whether it's a first- or fourth-line player."
So far, York likened his team's fortunes to the peloton in the Tour de France, where a group of riders are together.
"We were moving, but not making our way at all from the pack," said York. "We thought we might be getting better, but everyone else is creeping the same way. I thought we showed signs of making a good run here over the weekend. I think we are making strides, but there's still a lot to go."
BC's last game before the break is Wednesday at Harvard.
BU suspends 4 players
Boston University suspended four players - senior captain Brian McGuirk, seniors Bryan Ewing and Dan McGoff, and junior Brandon Yip - for violating team rules, The Daily Free Press, the school's newspaper, reported yesterday. The suspensions were confirmed by a school official, the newspaper reported. Ewing is the team's leading scorer (six goals, 17 points) . . . BU coach Jack Parker has a decision to make regarding his goaltending situation. Senior Karson Gillespie hasn't won yet (0-5-0, 3.84 goals-against average, .831 save percentage). Sophomore Brett Bennett, who was the heir apparent to John Curry, has been marginally better (4-4-2, 3.42, .863). Goaltending has been a key reason BU has won just two of its last eight games (2-5-1). Don't be surprised to see freshman Adam Kraus between the pipes when the visiting Terriers face UMass-Lowell tomorrow night. Another option is to give Kraus an audition in Saturday's exhibition game against the US Under-18 team. When asked about giving Kraus a shot, Parker said: "We'll give some thought to that pretty soon, I think. It's not like we're not going to play him and save him until next year. We won't do that." . . . Suffolk is making a splash in the ECAC Northeast. The Rams, headed by coach Chris Glionna, won just seven games last season, but have reached that total in just 10 games this season. With one game prior to the break, hosting Southern Maine Saturday, Suffolk is 5-0 in the conference. Senior forwards Dan Pencinger and Tim Dancey lead the Rams with 18 points each. Dancey had two assists in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Salve Regina and Pencinger had a goal, giving him a team-high 10 . . . The New Hampshire and Harvard women's teams head into this weekend with 9-0 records in Hockey East and the ECAC, respectively. The top-ranked Wildcats (15-2 overall) are on the road for two against Mercyhurst this weekend, and the No. 2 Crimson (9-0 overall) host Connecticut tomorrow night and travel to Providence Saturday. If the teams continue their torrid paces, it'll mean that much more when they square off in Durham, N.H., Dec. 14.Nancy Marrapese-Burrell can be reached at marrapese@globe.com.
