Few rivalries are as good as Boston University and Boston College in hockey.

This weekend, there’s been plenty of puck to choose from. The highlight has been the classic home-and-home series between bitter college rivals Boston University and Boston College. Two of the best programs renewing acquaintances on each campus home rink.

If you weren’t already excited about the chance to see quality top 10 collegiate hockey, we also got an early Christmas present courtesy of NBC Network with the return of Doc Emrick calling the action teamed with Pierre McGuire. Without the NHL, it’s like a dream come true with familiar voices to the game we love as traditional as St. Nick. Something Devil tweep Sarra Doriety noted in a tweet Friday.

@NewYorkPuck yup i don’t even care that i have to listen to pierre because it reminds me of the nhl

This kind of passion exemplifies what makes our fans so special. We love the entire game including Hall Of Fame Foster Hewitt winners such as Doc, who always brings a smile to our face. He just called a power play goal that put BC in front of BU 3-1 with the trademark, “Scooo——rrrrrreeee,” that sounds like an excited kid. And now, BC adds one more giving us one more Doc-ism for 4-1!

BU took last night’s contest 4-2. Tonight, it looks like it’s the Eagles’ turn. There’s still two minutes left in the second with another period to go. But the Terriers are not on their game, taking undisciplined penalties. Another player marches to the penalty box. With time winding down in the period during four-on-four, BU misses a chance to cut it to two and then Oksanen takes a frustration cross checking penalty. A dangerous play but fortunately he gets up. All five goals thru two are PPG’s Doc notes.

Entering yesterday, BC was ranked #1. The No.9 ranked Terriers got goals from Garrett Noonan, Evan Rodrigues and Matt Grzelcyk. Pat Mullane scored for the Eagles on the power play. His goal late in the second cut it to 2-1 before Grzelcyk restored order for BU on a wrap around. The Terriers added Wade Megan’s empty netter prior to Johnny Gaudreau closing the scoring for the Eagles at 19:36. Gaudreau is a freshman who paces them with 19 points. Impressive. Noonan ranks second with 15 and then comes Steven Whitney and Bill Arnold, who scored tonight.

Boston University has four players in double digits thus far including Megan, whose eight goals pace the them. He’s tied with Cason Hohmann for first in team scoring with 13 points. Grzelcyk follows with 11 (2-9-11) and Danny O’Regan has 10. As I note this, Megan and Hohmann fail to convert an odd-man rush thanks to a Parker Milner glove save. Glove saves are always flashy. Especially when the goalie denies someone. Not surprisingly, BC has doubled up BU in shots 31-14 due to all the man-advantages. They’re four-for-eight on the PP. Matt O’Connor who made 35 saves in the Terriers’ win last night, makes a couple of more to prevent the Eagles from making it 5-1. He’s a big athletic netminder who isn’t getting much support. As proof, a BU turnover allows Brendan Silk to go in untouched and beat O’Connor short side for his first goal of ’12-13. The Eagles now lead by four.

There’s some good talent in this game. The rematch is going the Eagles’ way which you can hear by the chants from the crowd at Kelly Rink. This is part of the fabric of college hockey. I haven’t caught a lot so far mostly due to my work schedule. But between jobs with a new one starting after Christmas, I’ll have more time to follow it. Ironically, my job training is right when the World Junior Championships start. But I should be back at night to catch the big games, including USA vs Canada on December 30. Best friend Brian’s birthday. Ironically, mine is a week away. A great month.

NBC Network or NBC Sports also showed Wisconsin at Denver in Friday’s double. Bringing more cheer were Dave Strader and Bryan Engblom. Two more broadcasters I’m familiar with from my time at ESPN a decade ago. I provided them with statistical research when the guys in Bristol covered the NHL. Also when they played before Gary Bettman got a big head. How he keeps a job is one of life’s great mysteries.

I flip to MSG which follows Avangard’s 3-2 overtime win over Barys with the classic Rangers-Kings Outdoor Game in Vegas from ’91. It’s still amazing to watch and see some classic names including Gretzky, Messier, Larry Robinson and Tony Granato. Tony Amonte and Doug Weight have goals. They played in 85 degree weather at Caesar’s Palace and Al Trautwig is interviewing Beezer about the game. Anything MSG does, they do it right. You also won’t want to miss Monday’s Islanders/Rangers installment covering Denis Potvin passing Bobby Orr in points. Stan Fischler had a good time capsule.

As I put the finishing touches on this post, BU has made it respectable trailing BC 5-2 with a couple of minutes left. The Eagle fans sing “Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey! Good—bye!”

Fairly appropriate. As the buzzer sounds, the crowd celebrates by chanting, “Jerry, Jerry, Jerry,” for legendary coach Jerry York who with win number 924 ties Ron Mason for the most ever wins in NCAA history. Amazing. Congratulations!