By Jack Weiland
Never in my life have I seen as many middle fingers as I did on the night of Feb. 28 — and I’ve seen my share of obscene gestures.
The subject of the ire? Northeastern men’s hockey winger Brian Swiniarski, who, coincidently, just buried the go-ahead goal on Boston University in the Terriers’ building. Right after depositing the puck through BU goalie Sean Fields’ legs, the Husky sophomore wasted no time in skating to the far boards directly in front of the BU student section, before pausing, staring them in the eyes for a good three-count, and turning with his arms raised to wait for congratulations from his mates.
Priceless.
But, for some, even Swiniarski’s bold and abrasive celebration couldn’t take the sting of another playoff-less year away from Huntington Avenue.
The Hockey East tournament began last weekend, and, for the second consecutive year, Northeastern was the only member of the nine-team conference not invited.
Say what you will about the team (I have, and will), but at the very least, give credit where credit is due.
Despite the disappointing results, and the frustrations of two consecutive seasons in the basement of Hockey East, the 2003-04 Husky bunch displayed traits that, to me, are worth much more than wins, losses or points: heart.
Northeastern finished the regular season on a rather irregular run (at least by the standards set by its record), going 3-0-1 in its final four games and taking points in do-or-die games.
Two weeks ago, against BU, Northeastern earned a draw on Friday night before stomping the Terriers, 6-3, at Walter Brown Arena on Saturday.
After Saturday’s utter thrashing, longtime BU coach Jack Parker was impressed with the way NU played, and equally disgusted with his own side.
“(We) looked disinterested,” he said. “A pathetic display by the Boston University club, a terrific display by Northeastern.”
That statement alone should take away a bit of the sting from Husky hearts.
Then, against third-place University of Massachusetts Amherst, Northeastern wrestled away a weekend sweep — in impressive fashion to boot. NU took a 3-0 win on Friday at Matthews Arena, and then found a way to win, 3-2, on the road despite being badly outshot.
The two weeks, however impressive they may have been, were hardly the solo hockey highlights to the season. Northeastern had impressive games against BC (3-0 shutout Jan. 3) and No. 3 Maine (0-0 tie Feb. 14).
To be honest, it was a season in which the hockey team was close, real close in fact, but for whatever reason, couldn’t close the deal.
Observe some of the things that, had they gone right, would still have the hockey team competing.
For instance, if Northeastern hadn’t laid an egg against Merrimack on Feb. 20, a game it easily could’ve taken, the Huskies would be in the playoffs.
If the Huskies would have won Jan. 9 at BU, a game they lost 4-3 in overtime in quite a winnable game … they’d be in.
Or, if the team could’ve locked up a win in just two of its six Hockey East ties, the Huskies would still be hounding Hockey East foes — foes that, frankly, looked nervous to play NU and were in some cases lucky to leave with victories.
Look at the wins and losses, kick and scream about missing the Hockey East playoffs for the second straight year, but don’t deprive them of the effort and improved level of play shown this year.
Last year was awful. Last year was probably one of the worst hockey spectacles I’ve ever seen. And, to give a little credit, the only time the current bunch looked anything like that team (pucks jumping over sticks, players falling down, mediocre goaltending, etc., etc.) was the Merrimack loss in February.
The only time.
As coach Bruce Crowder said earlier in the year after his team rolled off a run of 7-3-2 heading into the Beanpot, I happen to believe Northeastern fans “are smarter hockey fans than to disregard the way (we’ve) played.”
It would have been remarkably easy for that team to pack it in at any moment. They didn’t. It would have been a cake walk to coast through the last half of the year after being saddled with a school-record start of 0-9-2. Again, they didn’t.
Say what you will, but as a fan, I love having a team that shows fire, will and heart.
Even if that means landing with a thud in last place.
In the box: As News staffer Michael Naughton correctly pointed out, my Oct. 29 column about non-sexual crushes contained none other than the now infamous Todd Bertuzzi. While I do not in any way condone Bertuzzi’s actions, making him the scapegoat for all violence in hockey is not the answer. Punish him for the act, not the result. The NHL did a superb job of that, unless his suspension carries over to next year. It’d be a shame to see him receive the entirety of the blame for what, in my eyes, was the result of about 10 people piling on top of a man’s neck.
— Jack Weiland may be reached at [email protected]. He can be heard every Wednesday from 12-1 p.m. on WRBB 104.9 FM’s “Newstime.”
