Weekly Preview Showdown Time in the Commenwealth Avenue Rivlary

The time has come. The Commenwealth Avenue Rivalry (aka BC vs BU) has arrived. Both teams might not be playing their best hockey right now, but I promise you that this weekends home and home series between Boston College and Boston University will be the game(s) to watch this weekend.

BU forward Peter MacArthur (pictured above) had eight straight games without a goal until Tuesday night against UMASS-Amherst where he scored a power play goal in the third period. Expect MacArthur to be a key factor in this series.

The Terriers are curretnly on a four game unbeaten streak (3-0-1) after going 0-2-3 in their previous five games. Head Coach Jack Parker and the Terriers will have their hands full this weekend against the #7 ranked BC Eagles. The Terriers have to find a way to put the puck in the net and keep the pressure of goaltender John Curry.

For Boston College its simple, sweep BU and their back in the top five. After a 4-1 start, which included a sweep at Wisconsin, the Eagles have been struggling on offense. Sound familar to BU as well. In their last seven the Eagles are 3-3-1 with a 7-4-1 record overall. But motivation could be on the way as a new month approaches and the 6-3 loss to New Hampshire with a collapse in the third period could have some extra motivation in this series.

The Eagles have had a slow November. Senior Brian Boyle can't find a way to score lately and the defense has been a little shaky of late as the Eagles have given up 12 goals in their last three games. Goaltender Cory Schneider will need to play on top of his game in this series.

This is a series where both teams need at least one win. Expect a great atmosphere at Conte Fourm on Friday night and Agganis Arena on Saturday night. Should be a fun series to watch.

And after the game on Friday, hockeynuts will take you where you have never seen this blog before. The post-game comments. Look for an inside look on the Friday game on Saturday night.

In other action this weekend (the rest of the top five):

Denver and Colorado College renew their rivalry in a home and home series.

Alaska and Notre Dame will play two at South Bend in a key CCHA series.

Vermont travels to New Hampshire as the top two teams battle it out in Hockey East play.

And St. Cloud State will take on the surprising Michigan Tech Huskies for two at Houghton, Mich.

Other games to watch include:

Air Force and Sacred Heart
Yale vs St. Lawrence and Clarkson
Minnesota State and Minnesota
Michigan State and Ohio State

Tommorrow the Players of the month will be announced. So get ready for an exciting weekend in the world of college hockey.