1947–48 Boston College Eagles
men's ice hockey season
NEIHL Tournament, Champion
NCAA Tournament, Semifinal
Conference2nd NEIHL
Home iceBoston Arena
Record
Overall14–5–0
Conference9–1–0
Home5–0–0
Road1–2–0
Neutral8–3–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachJohn "Snooks" Kelley
Captain(s)John Corcoran
Bob Mason
Boston College Eagles men's ice hockey seasons
« 1946–47 1948–49 »

The 1947–48 Boston College Eagles men's ice hockey season was the 26th season of play for the program but first under the oversight of the NCAA. The Eagles represent Boston College and were coached by John "Snooks" Kelley, in his 12th season.

Season

With the NCAA instituting a college hockey tournament for the first time, BC had high hopes of being one of the two eastern teams invited to participate. Unfortunately, the Eagles had to contend with the absence of several key players early in the season. Star center Warren Lewis came down with an illness before the first game was played and was out of the lineup for their opening game against cross-town rival Harvard. His scoring touch was missed as BC fell to the Crimson 3–4.[1] After two less-than-comfortable wins over Fort Devens State and MIT, the team lost their top two defensemen when Butch Songin and John Gallagher were injured in a car accident just before Christmas.[2] However, by that time Warren Lewis had recovered and was back in the lineup. Filling in for the missing players were new additions Frank Shellenback and Ed Clasby but they could not make up for the missing defensive prowess.

Over the succeeding five weeks, BC posted a mediocre 3–3 record and surrendered an average of 5 goals per game. It was only though the exploits of Mason, Lewis and Corcoran that allowed BC to remain in contention for the national tournament. Their biggest game during that stretch was against perennial powerhouse Dartmouth when they handed the Indians their first loss of the season. Songin returned just in time for the match against the green and was vital in keeping the high-powered Indians away from Bernie Burke and the BC cage.[3] The reprieve was short-lived, however, as Songin missed several of the following games.

The three-game losing skid had BC in a precarious position, however, Ed Songin returned healthy in time for the game against New Hampshire, rejoining the team along with Gallagher. The result was an overwhelming victory over the Wildcats which began a streak of dominating play that would last until the end of the regular season.[4] After slicing through the Georgetown Hoyas, BC shutout Fort Devens State in the rematch with both Burke and backup Norm Dailey getting a turn in the crease.[5]

BC ended the regular season with revenge wins over Harvard and Boston University in overwhelming fashion. In doing so they finished second in the NEIHL and appeared in the conference's first postseason tournament. They met Bowdoin in the Semifinal and eviscerated the Polar Bears 10–1 with a total team effort. In the championship game BC faced off against Northeastern, who had upset the top-seeded Terriers. The Eagles relied heavily on Burke to keep them in the game and their BC netminder faced a withering array of shots. He was up to the task and BC entered the third down just a goal. After the Huskies increased their lead to 2, BC rallied to score four consecutive goals in just over 6 minutes of game time to capture the championship.[6]

The title, along with their stellar overall record, enabled BC to earn the second eastern bid for the inaugural NCAA tournament. They travelled to Colorado Springs and faced a powerful Michigan squad. The two teams proved to be the equal of one another as BC got three separate 1-goal leads only to see Michigan tie the score each time. The Wolverines earned their first lead of the match in the third period and jealously held on to the advantage as time ticked away. With under a minute to play, and Burke sitting on the bench in favor of a sixth skater, Jim Fitzgerald tied the game and sent the match into overtime. The NCAA rules at the time followed the original college hockey format that allowed for all 20 minutes of an overtime period to be played regardless of how many goals were scored. This meant that when Wally Gacek scored just 18 seconds into the extra period, BC still had a chance to win the game. Unfortunately, the Wolverines played a stingy defensive game for the rest of the contest and the Eagles were unable to tie the game. Instead, Gacek added a second marker with 30 seconds left in the 4th period, leaving the final score 4–6 in favor of Michigan. Because the NCAA changed the rules afterwards to mirror the more modern sudden-death rules, this was the only game in NCAA tournament history where more than one overtime goal was scored.[7][8]

Roster

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team
Massachusetts Bernard M. Burke Jr. Sophomore G 1925-05-27 Newton, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Edward M. Clasby Sophomore F Natick, Massachusetts
Massachusetts John E. Corcoran (C) Senior F Newton, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Norman F. Dailey Sophomore G Lexington, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Walter F. DeLorey Sophomore F 1924-10-09 Watertown, Massachusetts
Massachusetts William H. Dowd Senior F Stoneham, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Walter A. Falvey Jr. Freshman Belmont, Massachusetts
Massachusetts James W. Fitzgerald Junior F Cambridge, Massachusetts
Massachusetts John E. Gallagher Sophomore D Brighton, Massachusetts
Vincent Harding D
Massachusetts E. Paul Kelley Junior F Dorchester, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Jerome M. Leonard Junior F Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
Massachusetts G. Warren Lewis Sophomore F Arlington, Massachusetts
Massachusetts John G. Mahler Jr. Freshman F Belmont, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Robert T. Mason (C) Senior F Wollaston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Joseph P. McCusker Sophomore D Waltham, Massachusetts
Massachusetts John J. McIntyre Sophomore F 1925-01-10 Medford, Massachusetts
Massachusetts John P. McMahon Junior F Lynn, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Frank V. Shellenback Jr. Freshman D 1927-06-24 Newton, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Edward F. Songin Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1924-05-11 Walpole, Massachusetts
Massachusetts William J. Talbot Sophomore F Belmont, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Giles E. Threadgold Freshman F Auburndale, Massachusetts

Note: Boston College did not use numbers on their jerseys at this time.
Note: Clasby, Dowd, Falvey and Shellenback are listed as being members of the team for at least part of the season, however, it's unclear whether any of the four played in any games.
[9]

Standings

1947–48 NCAA Independent ice hockey standings
Intercollegiate Overall
GP W L T Pct. GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Army161141.71978391611417839
Bemidji State5050.0001336102803763
Boston College191450.7371266019145012660
Boston University242040.8331798624204017986
Bowdoin9450.4444568116505673
Brown14590.3576191145906191
California10280.20045621751208789
Clarkson12561.45867391710619654
Colby8260.250284182602841
Colgate10730.70054341310308345
Colorado College14950.6438473271980207120
Cornell4040.0003434040343
Dartmouth232120.9131567624213015681
Fort Devens State133100.2313374––––––
Georgetown3210.667121175203721
Hamilton–––––––14770––
Harvard229130.409131131239140135140
Lehigh8080.00089510010012108
Massachusetts2020.0001233030330
Michigan181620.8891055323202114163
Michigan Tech197120.36887962081209197
Middlebury14851.6071116816105112774
Minnesota16970.5637873219120100105
Minnesota–Duluth6330.500212496303628
MIT198110.4219311419811093114
New Hampshire13490.3085867134905867
North Dakota10640.600514616115010368
North Dakota Agricultural5320.600272864203729
Northeastern191090.526135119191090135119
Norwich9360.3333858136705670
Princeton188100.444657221101107979
St. Cloud State121020.83355351612407355
St. Lawrence9630.6676527138419550
Suffolk–––––––––––––
Tufts4310.750171543101715
Union9180.1117869180786
Williams11362.364374713472––
Yale165101.34460692081118985
1947–48 New England Intercollegiate Hockey League standings
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Boston University †131210.923864024204017986
Boston College *10910.900772919145012660
Northeastern14860.57110879191090135119
Bowdoin6330.5003238116505673
MIT14590.357628719811093114
Middlebury6240.333274816105112774
New Hampshire10370.3004256134905867
Norwich7250.2862550136705670
Fort Devens State11380.2733055––––––
Colby5140.200172782602841
† indicates conference champion
* indicates conference tournament champion

Schedule and results

DateOpponentSiteResultRecord
Regular Season
December 3 vs. Harvard* Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts L 3–4  0–1–0
December 15 Fort Devens State Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts W 4–2  1–1–0 (1–0–0)
December 22 vs. MIT Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts W 6–4  2–1–0 (2–0–0)
January 5 vs. Northeastern Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts W 7–6  3–1–0 (3–0–0)
January 12 Dartmouth* Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts W 4–3  4–1–0
January 27 vs. Northeastern Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts W 8–5  5–1–0 (4–0–0)
January 29 at Dartmouth* Davis Rink • Hanover, New Hampshire L 4–6  5–2–0
February 3 vs. Boston University Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts L 3–5  5–3–0 (4–1–0)
February 10 at Princeton* Hobey Baker Memorial Rink • Princeton, New Jersey L 4–5  5–4–0
February 16 New Hampshire Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts W 9–2  6–4–0 (5–1–0)
February 20 vs. Georgetown* Crystal Ice Palace • Norwalk, Connecticut W 8–1  7–4–0
February 23 at Fort Devens State Skating Club of Boston Rink • Allston, Massachusetts W 7–0  8–4–0 (6–1–0)
February 25 vs. Harvard* Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts W 6–1  9–4–0
February 27 vs. MIT Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts W 9–2  10–4–0 (7–1–0)
March 1 Middlebury Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts W 15–1  11–4–0 (8–1–0)
March 3 vs. Boston University Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts W 9–2  12–4–0 (9–1–0)
NEIHL Tournament
March 8 Bowdoin* Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts (NEIHL Semifinal) W 10–1  13–4–0
March 9 vs. Northeastern* Boston Arena • Boston, Massachusetts (NEIHL Championship) W 6–4  14–4–0
NCAA Tournament
March 19 vs. Michigan* Broadmoor Ice Palace • Colorado Springs, Colorado (NCAA Semifinal) L 4–6 OT 14–5–0
*Non-conference game.

Note: The NCAA had not yet instituted sudden death overtime, allowing more than one goal to be scored during the full extra period.
[10]

Scoring statistics

Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Bob MasonC-211940-
John McIntyreC/RW-151833-
Warren LewisC/LW-161632-
Joe McCuskerD-131225-
Jim FitzgeraldF-91625-
John CorcoranLW/RW-111223-
Giles ThreadgoldRW-101121-
Butch SonginD-9716-
Paul KelleyF-8513-
John GallagherD-5611-
John MahlerLW-246-
Walt DeLoreyF-303-
Bill TalbotF-022-
John McMahonD-101-
Jerry LeonardF-011-
Vern HardingD-011-
Bernie BurkeG-000-
Norm DaileyG-000-
Total123130253-

Note: 3 goals are unaccounted for. Additionally, the assist total is likely incomplete.
[11]

Goaltending statistics

Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
Bernie Burke19560
Norm Dailey640
Total19116014506013.10

Note: Burke and Dailey shared the shutout on February 23.

Awards and honors

Player Award Ref
Butch Songin AHCA First Team All-American [12]
Bernie Burke AHCA Second Team All-American [12]
Bernie Burke NCAA All-Tournament First Team [13]
Butch Songin NCAA All-Tournament Second Team [13]

References

  1. ↑ "Eagles Lose to Harvard in Ice Opener, 4-3". The Heights. December 15, 1947. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Kelleymen Chalk Up 2 More Wins Furing Vacation". The Heights. January 9, 1948. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Eagle Pucksters Hand Dartmouth Second Loss in 3 Years at Arena". The Heights. January 15, 1948. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Eagles Out on Top Again as They Down Wildcats 9-2; Lewis Star of the Night-Songin Back on Ice". The Heights. February 20, 1948. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Ealges Shutout Devens to Clinch Playoff Spot". The Heights. February 27, 1948. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Ealges Clinch New England Intercollegiate Title in Playoffs". The Heights. March 12, 1948. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Sextet Tops Eagles 6-4". The Michigan Daily. March 20, 1948. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Boston College Sextet Bows to Michigan, 6-4 Wolverines to Play Dartmouth In Finals Tonight". Battle Creek Enquirer. March 20, 1948. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Sub Turri 1948". Boston College. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Boston College men's Hockey 2017-18 Record Book" (PDF). Boston College Eagles. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Boston College 1947-48 roster and statistics". EliteProspects. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  12. 1 2 "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  13. 1 2 "NCAA Division I Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
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