Ferris State vs. Boston College: 3 Keys to a Bulldog Upset

The Ferris State Bulldogs and the Boston College Eagles will meet in the Frozen Four hockey championship. Boston College was an expected finalist, but Ferris State was not.

The Eagles are in their fifth championship game in seven years. They are riding an 18-game win streak into the championship game. Their consistency is unrivaled in the world of college hockey. This monstrous stage is not unfamiliar to their battle-tested group.

The Bulldogs, on the other hand, are playing in the first championship of their program's history. Ferris State is trying to become only the second team to win a title in their first title-game appearance.The first was Lake Superior State in 1988.

Ferris State will need skill, momentum and a bit of luck if it wants to shock the college hockey world. Here are three ways they can make that happen.

Embrace the Big Stage

Ferris State must not back down against the Eagles, despite its lack of championship experience.

Boston College is a storied college program. Its recent title-game appearances give it a big advantage in the experience department.

The Bulldogs must embrace the big stage and play their biggest game of the season. They are an unquestioned underdog, but the Bulldogs have proven their mettle throughout the season.

The Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 in the nation for two weeks in February. Head coach Bob Daniels must remind his team of this.

Casual fans may look at Ferris State as a fluke. The Bulldogs need to play with a chip on their shoulders, and own the moment.

Get the Puck to Johnston

Jordie Johnston is the best offensive player in the Frozen Four championship this season.

The Bulldog winger has 20 goals and 16 assists this season. His production and leadership will be needed on the Bulldogs' grandest stage.

Johnston will be the key to solving Boston College goalie Parker Milner, who is playing in another dimension right now. Johnston needs to snap him back to reality.

The Bulldogs will look to get the puck to Johnson in space. Johnston is a great creator in the open ice, and has a wicked shot.

Major upsets tend to hinge on the underdog's star player. Johnston is just that, and must act like it for the Bulldogs to hoist the championship trophy.

Solve Milner

Ferris State must put pucks behind Milner. He is the key to a Boston College victory.

The Bulldogs have the firepower to make this happen. Johnston, Matthew Kerzinger and Kyle Bonis are all more than capable of beating the stingy netminder. Aaron Schmit has also proven himself, scoring two goals in the Frozen Four semifinals against Union.

Milner is 28-5-0. He gives up under two goals per game, and saves almost 95 percent of shots taken against him. His near-flawless play is the backbone of the Eagles team.

Boston College has consistent players from top to bottom. Paul Carey and Steven Whitney are both great players, but Milner is the key to breaking Boston College's 18-game win streak.

The Bulldogs must shoot early and often. If they do, they will turn the college hockey world on its head.