CC could learn a lesson from Jerry York

Congrats to Boston College for advancing to the hockey national championship for the second year in a row! The Eagles defeated the U of North Dakota 6-4 last night in a whirlwind game that featured 3 lead changes, 3 ties, and 6 goals in the last 8 minutes of play. Now only Michigan State stands between BC and their 3rd national championship!

If the Eagles do win it all, a bold late season move by coach Jerry York will be seen as the catalyst to the championship. With the team mired in a midseason rut and smarting from another loss to BU (sort of like Chelsea to me) in the Beanpot final, Coach York decided to move 1st line center and leading scorer Brian Boyle (6'7" 250lb) back to defense. While replacing his top center man with freshman Ben Smith was seen as risky, York's move was the impetus for the Eagles' 13 game winning streak and march to the championship. While not the best defender, Boyle has given the Eagles an absolutely lethal breakout, as he has brought the puck up ice like a fourth forward, and created mismatches that the rest of the NCAA has been unable to solve. The result has been a 24-8 postseason scoring margin on the way to tomorrow's game.

By making a bold tactical decision and commiting his team to aggressive, attacking hockey, York proved once again why he is amongst the coaching elite. Perhaps CC could learn from York. Rather than repeatedly sending out an XI designed to draw and maintain marginal Premiership status, why not dedicate the rest of the season to pushing the envelope, attacking the area with speed players like Dempsey and John, and ending the '06-'07 campaign on an exciting high? Come on Chris, be bold!!!!