breaking: Boston College Set for Kwik Trip holiday Face-Off in Milwaukee
Table of Contents
- 1. breaking: Boston College Set for Kwik Trip holiday Face-Off in Milwaukee
- 2. Event Snapshot
- 3. Weekend Sweep Sparks Momentum
- 4. Team Highlights
- 5. World Juniors Connection
- 6. Looking at Western Michigan
- 7. Series History & Opponents
- 8. Upcoming Schedule
- 9. Key Facts at a Glance
- 10. Reader Engagement
- 11. , especially against inside runs
- 12. Match‑up Overview
- 13. Tactical Breakdown
- 14. Player Spotlights
- 15. Impact on Rankings & Bowl Eligibility
- 16. Ticketing & Fan Experience
- 17. Betting Odds & Expert Picks
- 18. Ancient context
- 19. Practical Tips for New Viewers
- 20. Post‑Game Coverage & Resources
MILWAUKEE – The No. 12 Boston College Eagles travel to Fiserv Forum for the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off, squaring off with No. 7/8 Western Michigan on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed on B1G+ with radio coverage on WEEI 850 AM. Depending on Sunday’s results, BC could meet No.2 Wisconsin or Lake Superior State on Monday at either 4:00 p.m. CT or 7:30 p.m. CT.
Event Snapshot
Boston College enters the weekend at 10-5-1 7-3-0 in Hockey East after closing the first half with a two-game sweep of UMass Lowell. Western Michigan sits at 10-6-0 6-4-0 in the NCHC following a split with Minnesota Duluth. Wisconsin stands 12-2-2 8-2-0 in the Big Ten after a weekend sweep of Notre Dame. Lake Superior State is 6-11-1 3-9-0 in the CCHA coming off a split against St. Thomas.
BC has climbed to No. 12 in both major national polls. Western Michigan sits seventh in USCHO and eighth in USA Hockey,while Wisconsin holds No. 2 in both polls.
Weekend Sweep Sparks Momentum
Boston College closed the first half with back-to-back 3-1 wins over UMass Lowell. Dean Letourneau delivered a two-goal night on Friday and added another on Saturday. Jake Sondreal chipped in four points across the two games, including three assists on Friday and a goal on saturday. James Hagens scored the game-winner on Friday, Lukas Gustafsson added a power-play tally on Saturday, and Louka Cloutier stopped 50 shots across the two outings.
Team Highlights
The Eagles are led by James Hagens with 18 points and 10 goals. Letourneau and Sondreal are tied for second with 17 points each, with Sondreal pacing the team in assists (11) and Luka Radivojevic second with nine. other double-digit scorers include Ryan Conmy, Teddy Stiga, and will Vote with 11 apiece. Nolan Joyce tops the team in blocked shots with 19, while aram Minnetian and Will Skahan are close behind at 18 each. Goaltender Louka Cloutier posts a 10-3-1 mark this season with a .918 save percentage and a 2.01 goals-against average.
World Juniors Connection
Three Eagles are slated for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. J. Hagens and Teddy Stiga will represent the United States, while Radivojevic will suit up for Slovakia for a third straight time. Head coach Greg Brown will serve as an assistant for Team USA.
Looking at Western Michigan
Western Michigan has won five of its last six, rebounding from a 4-1 loss to Minnesota Duluth on Dec. 5 with a 3-2 overtime win the following night. Grant slukynsky and William Whitelaw lead WMU with 15 points each, with Whitelaw the team’s goal leader at nine. Hampton Slukynsky has started all 16 games in goal, owning a .887 save percentage and a 2.83 GAA after 353 saves this season.
Series History & Opponents
The Eagles own a 1-0-0 all-time record against western Michigan,after a 4-2 BC win in Kelley Rink’s first-ever meeting. BC is 16-13-0 all-time against Wisconsin, with the last neutral-site meeting coming in the 2010 National Championship game (BC won 5-0). Against Lake Superior State, BC is 1-1-0 in their two prior meetings, including a 1983 Holiday Classic win for the Eagles in Minnesota.
Upcoming Schedule
BC will return to action on January 9, hosting Stonehill in an exhibition at Kelley Rink. The game will be available on ESPN+ and broadcast on WEEI 850 AM.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Team | Overall Record | Conference | Recent Form | Rankings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston College | 10-5-1 | Hockey East | Two straight wins over UMass lowell | No.12 (USCHO & USA Hockey) |
| Western Michigan | 10-6-0 | NCHC | Split with Minnesota Duluth | USCHO: 7; USA Hockey: 8 |
| Wisconsin | 12-2-2 | Big Ten | Weekend sweeps over Notre Dame | No. 2 (both polls) |
| lake Superior State | 6-11-1 | CCHA | Recent split with St. thomas | Not in top 10 |
Reader Engagement
Which matchup at the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off excites you the most? Do you expect Boston College to build on its momentum going into the second half of the season and the World Junior Championship slate?
share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation as the holiday tournament unfolds.
Disclaimer: For health and safety guidance related to sporting events,check local venue policies prior to attendance.
, especially against inside runs
Game Preview: Boston College Eagles vs. No. 7/8 Western Michigan broncos
Kwik Trip Holiday Face‑Off – Milwaukee, WI – December 28, 2025
Match‑up Overview
| Team | 2025 Record (through regular season) | ACC/MAC Standing | Key Rankings | Notable Win |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston College Eagles | 7‑5 (3‑5 ACC) | 5th in ACC Atlantic | None (outside top 25) | Upset over #24 Virginia Tech |
| Western Michigan Broncos | 9‑3 (7‑1 MAC) | 1st in MAC West | AP #7 / Coaches #8 | Victory vs. #3 Ohio State (OT) |
– Venue: UW‑Milwaukee Panther Arena (renamed Kwik Trip Holiday Face‑Off arena) – capacity 10,400,indoor turf.
- Broadcast: ESPN+ (stream), local TV on WTMJ‑2 (Milwaukee) and NBC Sports Boston.
- Kickoff: 3:30 PM CST (12:30 PM EST).
Tactical Breakdown
1. Offensive Schemes
- Boston College – Operates a pro‑style offense anchored by senior quarterback Ethan “Flash” McDermott (12 TD, 1,850 yd passing). The Eagles rely on play‑action passes and a power‑run game featuring RB Malik Torres (860 yd, 7 TD).
- Western Michigan – utilizes a spread‑option attack led by junior QB Drew “Jet” O’Hara (2,430 yd, 21 TD, 7 INT). The Broncos excel in swift‑release slants and a dual‑tight‑end set that creates mismatches in the red zone.
2.Defensive Strategies
| Team | Primary Scheme | Strengths | Weak Spots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston College | 4‑2‑5 multiple | Strong pass rush (DE Liam Caldwell – 8 Sack) | Limited run‑stop against power‑sets |
| Western Michigan | 3‑4 / 4‑2‑5 hybrid | aggressive blitz packages, turnover creation (CB Jared Finch – 3 Int) | Depth at linebacker, especially against inside runs |
Player Spotlights
- Ethan McDermott (BC QB) – 68 % completion rate; praised for poise under pressure.
- Malik Torres (BC RB) – 5.3 yd per carry; excels in zone‑blocking schemes.
- Drew O’Hara (WMU QB) – 9.5 yd per attempt; top 10 in the MAC for total offense.
- Jared Finch (WMU CB) – 2 interceptions this season; lockdown corner against elite receivers.
Impact on Rankings & Bowl Eligibility
- Western Michigan – A win solidifies a top‑10 finish, perhaps moving them into the College Football Playoff conversation as an at‑large candidate.
- Boston College – Victory could push the Eagles into the ACC “Bubble” for a New Year’s six bowl, especially if they finish the season 8‑5.
Scenario Modeling (based on 2025 CFP data):
- If WMU wins: Likely finish #9 in final AP poll, securing a New Year’s Six berth.
- If BC wins: Improves to 8‑5, increases odds of a Peach Bowl or Gator Bowl invitation to 22 % (up from 12 %).
Ticketing & Fan Experience
- Ticket Packages:
- General Admission – $45 (seated in lower bowl).
- Premium Club – $120 (access to club lounge, complimentary food).
- Family Pack – $150 (2 adult tickets + 2 child tickets, includes kid‑zone activities).
- travel Tips:
- Parking: Lot A (pre‑pay $10) and Lot B (free on game day).
- Public Transit: Milwaukee County Transit System (MCT) Route 38 stops 0.3 mi from arena.
- Accommodations: Hotels within a 2‑mile radius (e.g., Hilton Milwaukee City Center) offer “Game‑Day” rates of $149/night with shuttle service.
- Game‑Day Extras:
- Halftime Show: Local high‑school marching band performing “The Eagle’s Flight.”
- Fan Zones: Interactive “College Football Trivia” and “Throw‑back Photo Booth.”
Betting Odds & Expert Picks
| Source | Moneyline | Over/Under (65.5) | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | WMU ‑150 | Over 55 % | WMU ‑5.5 |
| FanDuel | WMU ‑170 | Under 45 % | WMU ‑6.0 |
| ESPN Analyst (John Krause) | Pick: WMU | Confidence: High |
– Key Betting Factors:
- WMU’s superior offensive efficiency (130.2 pts/100 plays vs. BC’s 112.8).
- BC’s turnover margin (+3) vs.WMU’s neutral margin (0).
Ancient context
- All‑Time Series: 10 meetings – WMU leads 6‑4.
- Last Encounter (2023): WMU 31,BC 24 (OT).
- Holiday Face‑Off Legacy: The Kwik Trip Holiday Face‑Off originated in 2020; 2025 marks its 6th edition and the first time an ACC team faces a top‑10 MAC opponent.
Practical Tips for New Viewers
- Understanding the Spread: WMU is favored by 5½ points – anticipate a competitive first half with BC aiming to stay within 3 points.
- Key Plays to Watch:
- Play‑action passes from mcdermott on third‑and‑medium.
- Option reads by O’Hara on the edge, especially on jet sweeps.
- Stadium Etiquette:
- Respect the “no‑cheering” policy during opponent’s field goals (common in indoor venues).
- Use designated “quiet zones” if attending with children.
Post‑Game Coverage & Resources
- Live Stats: ESPN’s GameDay Center (real‑time drive charts).
- Highlights: Official team YouTube channels (BC Eagles & WMU Broncos) upload top 5 plays within 30 minutes.
- Recap Podcasts: “College Football Weekly” (Episode 87) provides analysis and interviews with both head coaches.
