While much of the hockey world breathlessly observed a thrilling Thursday with huge playoff implications, fans of cellar dwellers likely eyeballed the Frozen Four semifinals. Most specifically, they may have been following top prospect Jack Eichel, and he didn’t disappoint.
The expected second pick of the 2015 NHL Draft scored three points (including two goals) to help Boston University beat North Dakota 5-3 on Thursday, advancing Eichel’s school to its 11th championship final.
Here’s a handful of reactions to Eichel’s performance and his college hockey season, in general:
Here's something I'd like to know: Pretending he was the same age, would Eichel get picked ahead of JT? Hall? RNH? Yak? MacKinnon? Ekblad?
— Steve “Dangle” Glynn (@Steve_Dangle) April 10, 2015
With the goal Eichel now has 70 points in 39 games. He'll win the Hobey Baker tomorrow night. Plays for national title Saturday.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) April 10, 2015
Eichel & Co. will face rival Providence after they took out Omaha by a score of 4-1. It’s the first national title appearance for Providence since 1985.
The championship will be on the line on Saturday. Perhaps a few Buffalo Sabres fans will be more intrigued by that contest than they will be by their finale?
#Sabres finale is Saturday at 7. Eichel goes for national title in his finale Saturday at 8. That's a little bit spooky to me
— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) April 10, 2015