This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but with a... No wait, that was definitely a bang!
Back in September, when this thread started, there were many predictions that Providence would win Hockey East and make it back to the NCAA Tournament. BU was predicted to finish 6th in Hockey East, and it seemed like tracking Eichel's progress might be something Flames fan should do.
Early in the season, it seemed like all of those predictions were going to be wrong. Eichel's impact was huge and Providence struggled out of the gate. Also, those darned Flames kept losing their McEichel points.
Now, here we are. A National Champion has been crowned, and wouldn't you know it? There were three Flames' draft picks on the winning team...
Jon Gillies stood strong when he needed to, and was named the Frozen Four MVP. Gillies and Jankowski were named to the All-Tournament team.
In the biggest games, on the biggest stage, Jankowski stood tall (and not just because he's 6'4"). Two goals and one assist in the two Frozen Four games, including the GWG in the semifinal and huge tying goal on the power play when Providence was struggling in the final. He was also a beast in the face off circle and played a really strong defensive game throughout the Frozen Four.
The three points in the Frozen Four also gives Jankowski 27 points in 37 games this season, which surpasses his total of 25 in 39 games last season. His 8 goals were a drop from 13 last season, but none were bigger than the two he potted in the last two games.
I hope that anyone who has been calling Jankowski a draft bust watched Providence's two Frozen Four games because he showed us why Button and Weisbrod were so high on him.
Gilmour was also strong in the Frozen Four despite getting no points. If I were to guess, I'd bet his injured hand is not back to 100% quite yet. He wasn't the offensive threat from the blue line that he has been in the past.
On the other side, don't feel too bad for Brandon Hickey. BU already won 2 trophies at the TD Garden this season: The Beanpot Tournament and the Hockey East Championship. Going into today's game, they had not lost at the Garden in five games this season.
Hickey had a very strong freshman season for BU, with 17 points in 41 games. In a season when Jack Eichel was the talk of the team, Hickey received a decent amount of press himself. It will be interesting to see if he gets any consideration for the World Juniors next year. I think he should, but Team Canada doesn't tend to give much attention to college players.
BU is expected to lose a number of players to the NHL next season, including Hobey Baker winner, Eichel. Providence will also be losing some key pieces, including Gillies and maybe Jankowski. It might be tough for either team to return to the Frozen Four next year, which is why it's so nice that PC got the job done this year.