The 25th season of Hockey East kicked off with it's annual Media Day at Legends inside the TD Banknorth Garden. To no surprise, Boston College is the top team in the Coaches' Poll, however, it was closer than people expected.

The Eagles received six first place votes and 86 total votes. Boston University came in second with three first place votes and 80 total votes, while the University of New Hampshire got one first place vote and 78 votes. Overall, these are the top three teams in the conference, and they could battle it out on the last few weeks of the season.

To many, Northeastern is a surprise, they came in fourth place over Hockey East tournament runner-up, Vermont, who came in fifth. Massachusetts, UMass-Lowell, Providence, Maine and Merrimack round up the six through ten seeds.

This poll has some questions in it, however, the games have yet to be played. We will see how this plays out starting October 10. For now, here are my picks for the Hockey East 2008-09 season.

Rosie's Hockey East Poll:

1. Boston College
2. New Hampshire
3. Boston University
4. Vermont
5. Massachusetts
6. Northeastern
7. UMass-Lowell
8. Maine
9. Providence
10. Merrimack

Look for more coverage on the Hockey East side right here tomorrow, with Mike Alloy's Hockey East Preview.

9:19 P.M.

NU holds on for the 4-3 upset win. Matthews is going crazy right now. Vitale's shorthanded score held up for the winner. The NU students chanted 'overrated' in the final seconds as Thiessen was a brick wall down the stretch. Huge win for the Huskies early in the season.

9:07 P.M.

NU continues to lead, 4-3 with 5:14 to go. Andrew Orpik was denied the tying goal off a rebound when Thiessen made a great side-to-side save. NU is playing with a lot of confidence, perhaps sensing they are on the verge of a BIG win.

9:01 P.M.

Simply put, Northeastern is taking it to BC right now. The Huskies' aggressive play is causing the Eagles fits, with BC unable to get anything going. A tripping penalty by Louis Liotti resulted in a BC power play, but the Huskies kept the Eagles playing defensively with stifling pressure. 9:45 to go and it's 4-3, NU.

8:51 P.M.

Another power play for BC, another goal for Northeastern. Joe Vitale picked off a lazy pass by Joe Whitney in his own zone and scored just 14 seconds into the period to put the Huskies up, 4-3. Goalie Brad Thiessen kept the lead by making four great saves in a row, twice on Brock Bradford. It's 4-3, NU, with 14:38 to go. Hold on to your seats.

8:24 P.M.

We're at second intermission and it's 3-3. For the most part, BC is dominating the action. Brock Bradford had a couple chances at his fourth goal of the season, but Thiessen was up to the challenge. Greg Costa will start the third in the penalty box for the first 19 seconds of the period. BC outshot NU, 11-6, in the 2nd, and 25-15 for the game.

8:15 P.M.

It's now 3-3 here at Matthews. Barry Almeida has scored his first career goal on a breakaway coming down the left side. Almeida went 5-hole on Thiessen, who appeared to make the inital stop only to have the puck slip through. Matching penalties on Joe Whitney and Chris Donovan resulted in a 4-on-4, but neither team could take advantage. 5 to go in the second period.

8:08 P.M.

BC just killed off an NU power play after Cam Atkinson went to the box for hooking. Tommy Cross used his big body to get in front of the puck. This came after BC looked sloppy again on the power play when NU went off for too many men on the ice. Dennis McCauley served the penalty. Still 3-2, NU.

8:01 P.M.

NU has gone back ahead on a shorthanded goal by Chris Donovan. A clearing pass by Louis Liotti went around past the BC forwards and right onto Donovan's stick. Donovan put the shot past Muse's right shoulder for the go-ahead score at 3:12.

7:39 P.M.

End of the first period at Matthews. It's now 2-2 after Kyle Kucharski knocked in a rebound from the right side of the net. The puck bounced off goalie Brad Thiessen's skate and into the net. Benn Ferriero was given the assist, although don't be surprised if Ben Smith receives one as well.

Shots for the period were 14-9 in favor of BC. The fact that it's a tie game may favor the Eagles with the party-like atmosphere in the building. On the other hand, the longer NU hangs around, the more confidence they may build playing with the more talented Eagles.

7:30 P.M.

BC has just killed off another power play for the Huskies. Anthony Aiello was sent to the box at 6:30 and Tim Filangieri made a nice scoop of a rebound out of the crease. Brian Gibbons had a shorthanded chance, but Brad Thiessen made a good save with the pads. Still 2-1, NU.

7:20 P.M.

The action is really starting now. BC got on the board at 7:41 on a power-play score by Joe Whitney on a rebound. That's Whitney second game in a row with a rebound goal in the crease. Dennis McCauley even it at 1-1 with an even-strength goal coming from behind the net at 8:04. Two straight BC penalties within 17 seconds led to Joe Vitale's 5-on-3 goal that bounced off BC's Benn Ferriero and into the net. It's going wild at Matthews.

7:14 P.M.

Pretty even so far. Very physical start as both teams are finishing checks HARD. More to come.

6:15 P.M. ET

Welcome to Matthews Arena. At 7, #1 BC (2-0-0, 0-0-0) will face unranked Northeastern (2-0-1, 1-0-0). Here's the lines for each team:

BC
Joe Whitney-Brian Gibbons-Brock Bradford
Paul Carey-Ben Smith-Benn Ferriero
Barry Almeida-Matt Price-Cam Atkinson
Kyle Kucharski-Matt Lombardi-Andrew Orpik

Nick Petrecki-Carl Sneep
Tim Filangieri-Tommy Cross
Tim Kunes-Anthony Aiello

John Muse

NU
Wade MacLeod-Joe Vitale-Alex Tuckerman
Tyler McNeely-Steve Silva-Steve Quailer
Dennis McCauley-Ryan Ginand-Kyle Kraemer
Chris Donovan-Greg Costa-Dylan Wiwchar

Denis Chisholm-Louis Liotti
Jim Driscoll-David Strathman
Dan Nycholat-Mike Hewkin

Brad Thiessen

This is the home opener for NU, and combined with homecoming weekend and a game against the top-ranked and defending national champion Eagles, it's gonna be a packed house at Matthews. It's the first pre-sale sellout since Duke came in for a basketball game in Dec. 1995. The line of students waiting to get in went around the block.

On a personnel note, BC is not dressing Jimmy Hayes after the big freshman played last night against Bowling Green. Barry Almeida, who played in the opener against Wisconsin but sat last night, is back in the lineup.

7:15 P.M. ET Final Score UNH 2-BU 1

With the net empty for less than a minute, BU could not get anything going. A couple of empty net chances for UNH.

With five seconds left, BU got a shot on, but Foster was able to make his 31st save of the night.

Final Score UNH 2-BU 1. Good Night from the Whit!

7:07 P.M. ET UNH 2-BU 1

UNH spending some time in the BU zone, creating some chances, but nothing special.

Yip missed a great chance as he shot the puck over the shoulder of Foster. A few seconds later LeBlanc got robbed by Rollheiser with a nice glove stop.

UNH got another power play opportunity at the 12:09 mark when Chris Higgins got called for hooking. After a few chances, Brandon Yip got called at 13:15 for slashing. Another 5-on-3 for the Wildcats for :55 seconds resulted in no chances for the Wildcats. A couple of rebounds were left for the Wildcats but they could not capitalize.

UNH is now 2-for-8 on the power play.

Less than 5:00 remaining, should be a great finish.

6:58 P.M. ET UNH 2-BU 1

BU gets another power play opportunity their 10th of the night at the 7:18 mark. The power play started with a shorthanded opportunity for UNH, but Rollheiser made the easy save.

Chris Connolly had a nice opportunity in front of the net, but Foster was their on the power plays second shot.

BU ended the power play with a one-timer that went wide.

Shots are now 30-18 in favor of BU.

6:50 P.M. ET UNH 2-BU 1

Second sellout for the season at the Whittemore Center as 6,501 fans filled the seats.

UNH has already doubled their shots from the second period. BU is now ahead in shots on goal 27-16.

More in a bit.

6:28 P.M. ET After 2 UNH 2-BU 1

After two shots on goal favor BU 25-14. The Terriers outshot the Wildcats 20-1 during the span.

Keys to the third as the pee-wee teams take the ice during intermission:

BU: Create more opportunities. They got one past Foster, which no team has been able to do for a little while.

UNH: Stay out of the penalty box. The Wildcats are best with the man advantage or five-on-five.

6:22 P.M. ET UNH 2-BU 1

BU's fifth power play saw the same results, with nothing on the scoreboard. Another PP opportunity came after at the 12:03 mark when Peter LeBlanc going to the box for hooking.

BU got their second two man advantage when vanRiemsdyk got called for cross checking at 12:51. With 1:12 of a two man advantage, coach Jack Parker used his timeout.

After the timeout, Jason Lawrence got one past Foster (from Colin Wilson and Colby Cohen), his first of the year at the 13:06 mark. The Terriers still had about 1:50 left on the man advantage.

If you think "chippy" is the word to describe UNH, then it's pretty accurate. At the 14:09 mark Thomas Fortney got called for a trip. Foster made three big saves on that two man advantage.

Foster made the three biggest saves on the night to kill off the penalty, even one from point blank range off a rebound

Be back in a little bit.

6:08 P.M. ET UNH 2-BU 0

BU with their third opportunity with the man advantage on a Paul Johnson high stick at the 6:18 mark turned into a fourth power play opportunity when Kapstad went to the box for contact to the head high sticking.

The 1:27 on BU's first two man advantage saw Foster come up big in a big situation, including a nice pad save on Matt Gilroy. After that, BU didn't get a shot on goal. The UNH student section is on their feet after the five-on-three kill for UNH.

John McCarthy had a nice tip in opportunity but Foster was their again.

BU is on their fifth power play. More to come!

6:02 P.M. ET UNH 2-BU 0

Not much in the last :37 seconds of the power play for BU, they are now 0-for-2 with the man advantage. Matt Gilroy had a nice opportunity, but Foster made a pad save.

Chris Higgins and Matt Gilroy both had great opportunities but could not capitalize. Chris Connolly continues to be snake bitten in the early part of the year.

Yet another power play for the Wildcats as Brian Strait went to the box at the 3:45 mark for cross checking. James vanRiemsdyk made BU pay with his second of the year on a breakaway from Kevin Kapstad. UNH is now 2-for-6 on the PP.

5:39 P.M. ET After 1 UNH 1-BU 0

Another 5-on-3 for the Wildcats and another missed opportunity. Brian Foster saw a wicked slap shot from Colin Wilson, but he was able to make a nice glove save.

BU gets another power play as Joe Charlebois got called for his second penalty for hooking at 18:36 mark. No shots so far on the Terrier power play.

The penalty will carry on to the second period with :37 seconds left on the man advantage. Last 15:00 or so, the Wildcats have dominated play, but have still missed chances. Will the Wildcats continue their dominance, or will the Terriers get something going?

5:30 P.M. ET UNH 1-BU 0

Shortly after Periera's second penalty at 9:57, Eric Gryba goes to the box creating 1:10 for 5-on-3 hockey for UNH. Two great shots early, but Rollheiser came up big. Pollastrone is taking a lot of shots, but none have gone in the net. Phil DeSimone scores his first of the year on the 5-on-4. vanRiemsdyk and Kapstad got the assists.

Rollheiser is standing tall however. So far he has been the backbone of the Terriers.

Simply put, the last 10:00 have been all UNH. The Wildcats have the advantage in shots 13-5.

The Wildcats have another two man advantage as both McCarthy and Yip are in the box. I'll be back after the period with the results.

5:20 P.M. BU 0-UNH 0

Grant Rollheiser's first save of the night came at the 5:49 mark.

Jerry Pollastrone had a chance, but his shot was blocked by the BU defense at the 6:51 mark. Joe Pereiera hit after the whistle at the 7:19 mark giving the Wildcats their first power play.

UNH's first power play of the night resulted in great chances and three shots on goal but no results. A two-on-one created by Jerry Pollastrone was stopped by Rollheiser. Shots are even at five aside.

UNH is on their second power play. Keep it here.

5:12 P.M. ET BU 0-UNH 0

First :13 seconds saw Joe Charlebois go to the box for contact to the head high sticking. BU's first power play of the game saw UNH goaltender Brian Foster rob Chris Higgins and Colin Wilson point blank. Matt Gilroy took a one-timer and Foster made another save. BU is 0-for-1 with three shots on goal.

UNH's first scoring opportunity saw Thomas Fortney get robbed by BU's defense as his wrap-around was blocked by the strong core.

Foster is holding his own. More from the Whit a bit later

4:35 P.M. ET

A good afternoon to you from the Whittemore Center in Durham where we have a top five showdown (in the IH top 10) between Boston University and New Hampshire. ESPNU is in the house broadcasting the game as well, as a lot of early season implications are on the line, including a potential top spot in the Inside Hockey Top 10, which will be out tomorrow morning.

It is less than 30 minutes to game time and the student section is into it, and you can bet it's standing room only for the game.

Here are the lines for both teams.

Boston University

Line 1: Chris Higgins-Colin Wilson-Jason Lawrence
Line 2: Chris Connolly-Nick Bonino-Brandon Yip
Line 3: John McCarthy-Corey Trivino-Vinny Saponari
Line 4: Andrew Glass-Luke Popko-Joe Periera

Defensive Pairing 1: Brian Strait-Matt Gilroy
Defensive Pairing 2: Colby Cohen-Kevin Shattenkirk
Defensive Pairing 3: David Warsofsky-Eric Gryba

Starting Goaltender: Grant Rollheiser

New Hampshire

Line 1: Jerry Pollastrone-Peter LeBlanc-Bobby Butler
Line 2: Greg Collins-Thomas Fortney-Steve Moses
Line 3: James vanRiemsdyk-Phil DeSimone-Mike Sislo
Line 4: Greg Manz-Alan Thompson-Paul Thompson

Defensive Pairing 1: Jamie Fritsch-Joe Charlebois
Defensive Pairing 2: Kevin Kapstad-Blake Kessel
Defensive Pairing 3: Nick Krates-Mike Beck

Starting Goaltender: Brian Foster

Both teams will need to assemble presence on offense early as these are two very solid defensive teams. Combined the two teams have allowed five goals in five games. UNH is coming off a 1-0 shutout of Rensselaer and BU had a decisive 5-2 victory over Merrimack. Should be an interesting game. Puck Drop is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

9:58 P.M. ET Final Score BC 3-UVM 2

Andrew Orpik having a pretty good night as he gets one past Spillane at the 16:25 mark of the third, to widen the lead back to two goals. Student section getting on him a little bit with that soft goal.

The Cats pulled their goalie during the timeout and they got another one past Muse to cut the lead to one at 3-2. Roloff got the goal from Lenes at 19:12. Roloff played hard all night and to see a goal on the stat sheet must be rewarding.

Roloff had another great chance but the shot went over the glove of Muse.

Great game all around tonight. Both teams should be proud of their efforts. Good night from the Conte Forum.

9:45 P.M. ET BC 2-UVM 1

A couple of two-on-one chances for BC but they couldn't capitalize.

Vermont not able to get anything going as well, as both teams are preparing for the final few minutes. Attendance announced tonight at 5,675 at Conte Forum, pretty good crowd on hand to see a good game.

9:39 P.M. ET BC 2-UVM 1

Washontiio Stacey had a great chance in front of the net, but Muse made the helmet save and gloved it for the face-off.

Muse is seeing a lot of action this period. So far he has seen 10 shots (21 total), and has stopped them all.

A nice two-on-one was created by Cam Atkinson and Barry Almedia. Atkinson took the shot and was stopped by Spillane.

A great breakaway attempt from Roloff saw his shot go wide of Muse.

Less than 10:00 remaining in the game.

9:30 P.M. ET BC 2-UVM 1

BC now 2-for-8 on the power play. Nothing much happened on the last one.

Nice save my Muse on a great individual effort from Stalberg. Vermont outplaying BC right now, but the Eagles are holding on.

A great pass from Benn Ferriero to Brian Gibbons, only to have his shot stopped.

Be back in a few minutes.

9:07 P.M. ET After 2 BC 2-UVM 1

Vermont would get one back when Colin Vock got the puck past a diving Muse. It was a Vermont's third power play goal of the year and Vock's first of the season. Kyle Medvec and Brian Roloff got the assists.

BC got a couple of chances after the goal but were unable to capitalize.

A shot off the face-off from Dan Lawson was stopped by Muse at the 18:51 mark. The Cats seem to have a new life after their first goal, as they are doing a nice job defensively and creating some scoring chances.

Once again, the Eagles will have another power play to begin the period. It will have 1:32 left when we begin the third period. 2-1 after two, BC on top

8:55 P.M. ET BC 2-UVM 0

A slight delay in the game as one of the linesmen, Bob Bernard got hit accidentally, when a Vermont player tried to avoid a BC check, but he got up on his own will. Good to see him stay in the game.

Guess what the next thing is about in the game, that's right another BC power play at the 12:56 mark. The second power play unit started this one off for BC.

Eagle forward Kyle Kucharski got called for contact to the head high sticking. Currently it's four-on-four hockey. Be back at the end of the period.

8:46 P.M. ET BC 2-UVM 0

Another great scoring chance for the Eagles, but Nick Petrecki was stoned by Spillane.

BC had their fourth power play of the night and saw Paul Carey score his first career goal in his third career game when he wristed one past Spillane and found the back of the net. The assists came from Tommy Cross and Kyle Kucharski. It is Cross' first career point as well.

Yet another power play for the Eagles when Irwin got called for roughing at 8:24. Another goal, this time from Ben Smith as he deflected it off a Joe Whitney shot. Brian Gibbons got the second assist at 9:26.

So far it's all BC in this one.

8:34 P.M. ET BC 0-UVM 0

Joe Whitney's shot that looked like went in, didn't according to the refs. They didn't even review it, so looked like it hit the post.

Benn Ferriero had a nice opportunity, but tipped a tape-to-tape pass just wide.

Great chances for the Eagles, but they are just not finishing. More later.

8:10 P.M. ET After 1 BC 0-UVM 0

Wahsontiio Stacey got called for interference at 17:09 creating BC's second power play opportunity. Best chance of the power play came by Brock Bradford on the goal-line but was stopped by Spillane. Carl Sneep had a wrister stopped by Spillane as well.

Brayden Irwin is currently in the box for slashing. BC had a chance right at the end of the period off the face-off, but the score is still 0-0 after one. BC will have 1:53 of power play time when we begin the second period.

8:04 P.M. ET BC 0-UVM 0

Peter Lenes hit the post, which was Vermont's best chance up to that point.

Vermont's second power play, which was on Petrecki for contact to the head elbowing at 11:01, saw the Cats have two face-offs in their own zone and no shots on goal.

A trick play off the post saw Corey Carlson get robbed on a pad save by Muse.

Last few minutes of the first, be back in a little bit

7:54 P.M. ET BC 0-UVM 0

Shortly after the power play, Dean Strong got called for slashing. Shortly after that, two men, BC's Nick Petrecki and UVM's Kevan Miller each went to the box for charging :20 seconds after the last penalty. Still a four-on-four with matching minors.

Nothing much happening on the short time that BC had the man advantage.

A couple of chances for Vermont, but they were squandered, including a two-on-one.

So far only five shots on goal between the two teams, with BC having the 3-2 advantage. More to come!

7:44 P.M. ET BC 0-UVM 0

First shot of the game was by Jimmy Hayes for BC at the 1:12 mark. Mike Spillane made the stop. The Eagles seem to be getting the early chances on Spillane.

Big hits early for both squads. Best chance came from Benn Ferriero on a 2-on-1 with Brock Bradford but was stopped by Spillane.

Vermont is on their first power play right now when BC was called for too many men on the ice. Results in the next blog post.

7:09 P.M. ET

Good evening from The Conte Forum (Kelley Rink) at Boston College as the No. 4 BC Eagles take on the No. 10 Vermont Catamounts. Tonight's game should see some very interesting aspects as the Eagles are just coming off a tough loss at Northeastern last Saturday night, while Vermont is coming off a very impressive 1-0-1 weekend against Miami (Ohio).

Here are tonight's lines:

Vermont

Line 1: Viktor Stalberg-Dean Strong-Washontiio Stacey
Line 2: Colin Vock-Brian Roloff-Brayden Irwin
Line 3: Peter Lenes-Justin Milo-Corey Carlson
Line 4: Jack Downing-Jonathan Higgins-Josh Franklin

Defensive Pair 1: Patrick Cullity-Kevan Miller
Defensive Pair 2: Kyle Medvec-Dan Lawson
Defensive Pair 3: Drew MacKenzie-Josh Burrows

Starting Goaltender: Mike Spillane

Keep an eye on Justin Milo if you happen to catch the game on ESPNU tonight. He is a transfer from Cornell and has three goals in his first three games.

Boston College

Line 1: Brock Bradford-Brian Gibbons-Benn Ferriero
Line 2: Joe Whitney-Ben Smith-Jimmy Hayes
Line 3: Barry Almeida-Matt Price-Cam Atkinson
Line 4: Kyle Kucharski-Paul Carey-Andrew Orpik

Defensive Pair 1: Tim Filangieri-Tim Kunes
Defensive Pair 2: Tommy Cross-Carl Sneep
Defensive Pair 3: Nick Petrecki-Edwin Shea

Starting Goaltender: John Muse

For BC, defenseman Anthony Aiello is not dressing tonight for the first time this year. Edwin Shea takes his place in the lineup. Matt Lombardi is also not dressing tonight and Paul Carey is taking his spot.

Should be a very exciting game. Both teams are averaging over 3.5 goals per game. Puck drop is at 7:35. Keep it here for exciting college hockey action at Conte Forum.

The Huskies of Northeastern and the Wildcats of UNH met for a home and home series of Hockey East Action this weekend.

The Wildcats will be the happier team after a 4-2 victory at home Friday and a 2-2 tie on Saturday in Boston.

On Friday night, Northeastern (5-1-2, 4-1-1 Hockey East) fell behind 2-0 after goals from James van Riemsdyk and Bobby Butler, but battled from behind as they have all year.

Alex Tuckerman registered his second goal of the season on the power play late in the second period and Northeastern completed the comeback with less than six minutes to play in the third.

Greg Costa got a puck behind the UNH net, wrapped around to the front and beat Brian Foster five-hole to even the score at two.

But the story-book ending was not to be for the Huskies when Phil DeSimone beat Brad Thiessen two minutes later to put New Hampshire (4-1-2, 2-0-2 Hockey East) on top for good. Mike Sislo hit an empty netter from center ice with 30 seconds left on the clock to put the game on ice, 4-2 Wildcats.

On Saturday New Hampshire again got out to an early lead when Paul Thompson banged home a one-timer in the first period.

The Wildcats continued to dominate the game through the second period when Peter LeBlanc found pay-dirt to give the UNH its second 2-goal lead of the weekend.
The Huskies roared back at the end of the second period, potting two power play goals in less than two minutes. With Damon Kipp off on a holding call, Tyler McNeeley beat freshman Matt DiGirolamo.

Moments later Danny Dries took a slashing call and NU scored again, this time senior Ryan Ginand was the man of the moment, hitting a onetime pass from David Strathman to tie the score.

The teams continued to battle, but Thiessen and DiGirolamo, who was making his first collegiate start in place of Brian Foster who was out with an ankle injury, were up to the task. Both goaltenders made spectacular saves late in the game to keep their teams in the game.

The new 4 man officiating system in Hockey East again contributed to a weekend full of penalties, with 17 total on Friday and 23 called on Saturday. Northeastern’s penalty kill was on display holding the vaunted UNH power play to just one goal in 16 tries in the series.

Also contributing to the number of penalties was the physical nature of the game, and the bad blood that seems to be developing between the squads. It all came to a head early in the third period when Randy Guzior demolished Danny Dries at the blue line leading to a five on five fight and thirty minutes of penalties.

The game continued to get more and more physical, including a five minute cross checking call on UNH wonderkid James van Riemsdyk to end the overtime period.

For UNH the road ahead doesn’t get any easier with a trip to Minnesota for two games next weekend, while the Huskies will stay home for just one game Saturday with Bentley.