October 11, 2008
Eagles Raise Banner, Defeat Badgers
CHN Staff Report
(photos by John Quackenbos)
Freshman Cam Atkinson scored the game winner.
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October 11, 2008
CHN Staff Report
(photos by John Quackenbos)
Freshman Cam Atkinson scored the game winner.
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BOSTON — Cam Atkinson wasn't around for the special moment that Boston College was celebrated for Friday night. But he invited himself to the party anyway.
The freshman made an already memorable night moreso for the Eagles, scoring his first college goal and making it the game winner, as the Eagles defeated Wisconsin at Kelley Rink, 5-4, to open the 2008-09 season. It was a night where the Eagles -- with former stars Nathan Gerbe and Matt Greene on hand to do the honors -- raised the 2008 National Championship banner to the rafters.
Atkinson's goal was the only one at even strength for the Eagles, who got two on the power play and two shorthanded in the win.
Brian Gibbons scored a shorthanded goal early in the third period to even the game, 4-4, setting up Atkinson's heroics. Gibbons had a PPG earlier in the game.
"I got a nice pass from Jimmy Hayes that he got the assist on. He gave it to me and I used my speed to get by the defenseman and before you know it the puck was in the back of the net on a backhander."
Matt Price and Brock Bradford -- returning from two broken arms last season -- had the other BC goals.
"For an early season game it was a pretty good indicator that these teams will compete on a national level. Certainly both of us will improve as we go through the year...I seem a reason to be optimistic plus the team we played was a really good club. We might see them again sometime."
Numerous former Eagles and other dignitaries -- including legendary coach Len Ceglarski -- were on hand for the ceremony.
"I thought it was done really well, fairly short, but great lighting, film," said York. "The smiles on Lenny Ceglarski's face and Bobby Allen's face and Scott Clemensen's face and Billy Cass' face, it was special to see those guys around us."
For Wisconsin, it was a frustrating loss, with all the special teams goals allowed, and the fact that it led for large parts of the game.
"The penalty killing we were in [tries] to put pressure on them and they caught us in between," said Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves. "We still have to work out the bugs in that and get the details in that. And it was a special team game. Our power play produced a lot of good chances. But we didn't get the goals in that, which really would've helped us out.
"I thought we did a lot of good things. I thought our young players were as good as anyone on the ice tonight. They got to go through some of the mistakes and we'll get better from here. I have no doubt that the upside is going to be good from here."
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