CHESTNUT HILL, MA – In the midst of the most ambitious schedule in program’s history, the Simon Fraser University Red Leafs look to the top of the USCHO rankings to face the #1 ranked Boston College Eagles.

Coming off a 1-1 tie in Boston against the Terriers last night, the Red Leafs head 3 miles west to Chestnut Hill to face the Boston College Eagles.

The Eagles ranked #1 in the last USCHO poll before the break after a 4-1-0 stretch in their last 5 games and a 6-1-1 record in the month of November. After ranking #6 in the pre-season poll, BC has ranked in the top 5 consistently since, and in the #1 spot on 4 different occasions. The team has a 6-2-1 record in-conference, good for 2nd place in the Hockey East Association standings, and a 13-3-1 overall record.

On the ice, the Eagles are loaded with high-end talent with seven players named to the U.S. national team for the 2024 World Junior Hockey Championships in Sweden, including goaltender Jacob Fowler (MTL, 2023 3rd round), defenceman Drew Fortescue (NYR, 2023 3rd round), and forwards Cutter Gauthier (PHI, 2022 1st round), Ryan Leonard (WSH, 2023 1st round), Gabe Perreault (NYR, 2023 1st round), and Will Smith (SJS, 2023 1st round).

“I’m happy for [the World Juniors players], it’s a great event for them to be at,“ said Head Coach Mark Coletta, “but [BC’s] going to have guys now chomping at the bit to play that might not get as much ice time as when those guys are there.”

“It’s about trying to make a name for yourself when opportunity arises, and we’re in no different situation,” continued Coletta, “some of our younger guys are going to have to prove that they can play at this level…you have to take advantage and kick the door down when you have the opportunity.”

“We’re going to have to meet that emotion right away on back-to-back nights against two of the maybe arguably best college and university NCAA D1 programs in the country.”

Boston College is another program with a history of graduating top end NHL talent, including Bill Guerin, Brian Leetch, Chris Kreider, Johnny Gaudreau, Cory Schneider, and Thatcher Demko.

Puck drop is scheduled for 4:00pm PST; a radio feed will be available via WZBC Sports on YouTube. For live updates, follow us on Twitter / X.

Back home, the BCIHL team will continue Tom Harris Showcase play today in Nanaimo against the Korea University Tigers, who defeated Vancouver Island University 4-1 last night.

BOSTON COLLEGE LAST 5

12.09.23 | 5-4 W vs. #9 Providence

12.02.23 | 3-1 W at Northeastern

12.01.23 | 3-5 L vs. Northeastern

11.26.23 | 4-1 W at Harvard

11.24.23 | 6-1 W at #18 Notre Dame

SFU Red Leafs Non-Conference Squad vs. Boston College Eagles (NCAA D1)

WHERE | Conte Forum; 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA

WHEN | 4:00pm PST / 7:00pm EST

LISTEN | WZBC Sports on YouTube

LIVE UPDATES | @SFUHockey on Twitter / X

SFU Red Leafs BCIHL Squad vs. Korea University Tigers (KUSF)

WHERE | Nanaimo Ice Centre; 750 Third St., Nanaimo, BC

WHEN | 4:15pm PST

WATCH | YouTube