Battle of Comm Ave Set for Friday as No. 13/14 Boston College Heads to BU
The Battle of Commonwealth Avenue is back for its 299th chapter, and there’s plenty on the line as No. 13/14 Boston College heads across town to face rival Boston University at Agganis Arena on Friday night. Puck drops at 7:00 p.m., with coverage available on NESN, ESPN+, and WEEI 850 AM.
This isn’t just another rivalry game-it’s a clash of two proud programs trying to find their stride as the Hockey East season heats up. BC comes in at 13-8-1 overall and 9-5-0 in conference play, while BU sits at an even 12-12-1, with an 8-9-0 mark in the league.
Eagles Riding Momentum After UNH Sweep
Boston College is coming off a strong bounce-back weekend, sweeping New Hampshire with a pair of convincing wins-5-2 at home and 3-0 on the road. Dean Letourneau led the charge on Friday, notching two goals and an assist in a three-point night. He was supported by goals from Andre Gasseau, James Hagens, and Jake Sondreal.
But the real headline came Saturday, when freshman Will Vote made a statement with his first career hat trick-scoring three straight in a natural hat trick performance. It was the first time a BC player pulled off that feat since 2018. Between the pipes, Louka Cloutier was rock solid, stopping all 29 shots he faced to earn his third shutout of the season.
Key Contributors for BC
Letourneau and Hagens have been the engines of this Eagles offense, each sitting at 23 points on the season. Letourneau leads the team in goals with 13, while Sondreal has been the top playmaker with 13 assists and 20 points overall. Vote and Ryan Conmy have chipped in with eight goals apiece, providing valuable secondary scoring.
On the defensive end, Nolan Joyce leads the team with 27 blocked shots, while Aram Minnetian isn't far behind with 23. Cloutier continues to be a steady presence in net, posting a 12-6-1 record with a .912 save percentage and a 2.22 goals-against average.
Hobey Watch
Both Letourneau and Hagens have been named nominees for the 2026 Hobey Baker Award, which honors the top player in NCAA Division I men’s hockey. It’s a nod to just how impactful the duo has been this season. Last year, Ryan Leonard made it all the way to the Hobey Hat Trick as a finalist-so there’s recent precedent for BC players making a deep run in the voting.
Scouting the Terriers
BU, meanwhile, is looking to rebound after a tough weekend against Providence, where they dropped both games-4-3 and 4-0. Cole Hutson leads the Terriers with 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists), while Cole Eiserman has been the top goal scorer with 10.
Defensively, Aiden Celebrini has been a shot-blocking machine, tallying 47 blocks-third-most in Hockey East. In goal, Mikhail Yegorov has started all 25 games for BU, carrying a 2.84 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage into Friday’s rivalry tilt.
Rivalry Rundown
This storied series has been nearly dead even over the decades. BU holds a slight edge in the all-time record at 141-136-21, but BC has had the upper hand lately, winning six of the last eight meetings-including a 2-0 sweep in league play last season.
That included a 6-2 win at Agganis Arena, where Ryan Leonard recorded a hat trick and the Eagles scored two shorthanded goals. The next night, Jacob Fowler shut the door with a 30-save shutout in a 2-0 win at home.
BC has also won its last two games at Agganis, so the Eagles will walk into enemy territory with confidence-and recent history on their side.
Eagles in the NHL
Several former Eagles are making noise at the next level. Chris Kreider scored his 17th goal of the season on Sunday for Anaheim.
Cutter Gauthier, also with Anaheim, is riding a five-game point streak and has piled up 47 points (23 goals, 24 assists) through 52 games. Matt Boldy, now with Minnesota, continues to light the lamp-he’s tied for sixth in the NHL with 28 goals.
What’s Next
After Friday’s showdown with BU, Boston College shifts focus to the Beanpot. The Eagles face Harvard in the semifinals on Monday at TD Garden, with puck drop set for 5:00 p.m. That game will also be broadcast on NESN, ESPN+, and WEEI 850 AM.
But first, it’s time for another chapter in the Battle of Comm Ave-a rivalry that never disappoints.