Overrated!

There's nothing in hockey quite like the sound of 3000 fans chanting "OVERRATED!" This is exactly what happened tonight in Providence, RI as the #8 ranked Friars spanked the #1 Boston College Eagles in Hockey East action. The final score was 5-3. Being Parent's Weekend at PC, Scheider Arena was filled to the brim.

These two teams always face off for a lively Catholic school battle. The lowly Jesuits of BC have defeated the feisty Dominicans of Providence twice this season. With former Buccaneers on both teams, fans should easily recognize these guys. Hometown boy, Scott Clemmensen, from Urbandale, started in goal for BC for his 26th game of the season (19-5-1, 2.12gaa). He is the only former Buc on the Eagle's squad, but he is joined by many other players from the USHL. The Providence College Friars are proud to be the home of three former Bucs; Pete Fregoe (named to last years Hockey East All-Rookie team), Matt Libby, and Dominic Torretti.

Clemm, the former Buc superstar, must have forgotten his game up in Boston tonight. The 6-foot-plus senior made a small handful of difficult saves in the game. Faced with only 17 shots in the game, it is a unlike him to allow 4 goals on so few attempts. If he keeps up this level of play, New Jersey definitely won't be his next stop.

At the other end of the ice was Nolan Schaefer. Nolan, 2000 San Jose Sharks draft pick, was Co-Defensive Player of the Week last week in Hockey East. In 15 games this season, Schaefer has registered a 10-5-1 record with a 1.89 goals against average and a .936 save percentage. Schaefer got the honor due to his 24 save, 1-0 shutout of Nicky Parillo's team, Merrimack College. His goalie partner, Boyd Ballard, was the other Co-Defensive player. Ballard made a career-high 43 saves in a win against Northeastern last Saturday.

Here are a few game details. PC lead going in the first intermission, 2-1. BC was putting up a good fight but couldn't close the gap. The (former) #1 ranked Eagles were forced to play catch-up for the entire game. The Friars took a 3-1 lead in the second period but couldn't hold on to the 2-goal lead. The period ended 3-2. Again in the third period, the Friars took a 2-goal lead, 4-2. BC's only defense was when the ref called questionable penalties on Providence College. Of their 3 paltry goals, BC scored two of them on the powerplay.

Do you want to know why Fregoe was named to the 1999-2000 All-Rookie Team? Because the little one affectionately known as Mighty Mouse can put the puck in the net. Not only did he draw a 2 minute penalty in the third period when he was pulled down on a breakaway, but he also sealed the door on BC's bid to overcome the Friars. With less than 30 seconds remaining in the game, Mighty Mouse stole the puck from a Boston College defender in the neutral zone and broke in all alone on an empty net. A little flick of the wrist and Fregoe took all hopes of winning out of the Eagles.

Once the announcement of the goal was complete, the Providence College student body, along with their parents, chanted one thing loud and clear...

OVERRATED!

By Patrick Holt
Patrick is a student at Providence with ties to Des Moines.
Published 2-10-2001