April 13, 2008
Gerbe's Tournament, Absolutely Hobey-Like
by Dane DeKrey/Staff Writer
DENVER — Kevin Porter's lucky that the Hobey Baker is announced the day before the national championship game instead of the day after.
At least that's what Norte Dame's Jeff Jackson thinks.
"The great respect I have for Kevin Porter," Jackson began, "naming the Hobey Baker after this weekend they may change their mind."
What — or more appropriately, who — Jackson was referencing was none other than Nathan Gerbe of Boston College. Gerbe, who sat at center ice of the Pepsi Center and graciously watched Porter receive college hockey's top individual honor just 24 hours before, capped off a convincing campaign that he, not Porter, was college hockey's best player in 2008 with a two-goal, two-assist clinic in Saturday night's 4-1 championship victory over Norte Dame.
This followed his hat trick in the semifinal.
But in all honesty, it was never a question of Gerbe's skills in contemplating his Hobey-worthiness; rather, it was his character as a player, on and off the ice.
On Saturday night, Gerbe's postgame eloquence and poise helped dispel any lingering questions.
"Coming into the weekend, I took responsibility in my owns hands for losing the last two years, and as a player, our team needs goals and that's something that I needed to do," said Gerbe, not even mentioning his incredible 7-goal, 11-point performance in the NCAA Tournament. "My linemates have done a great job and Brian Gibbons had another great game; it's just been that way all season."
And while it was evident from Gerbe's face that he was perhaps growing tiresome of the saturation of media attention he was receiving, he made his way around to each and every reporter looking to get a sound bite, even with his team celebrating the victory in the locker room without him.
However, it wasn't as though the team had forgotten about the 5 foot 5 inch fireball.
Actually, nothing could be farther from the truth.
"I think he should probably be the Hobey Baker (winner)," said teammate Andrew Orpik, who, in an incredibly rare and incredibly entertaining turn of events, was being faux-interviewed by teammate Brock Bradford via Bradford's makeshift water bottle microphone. "You know the votes are done before the weekend and I think he turned a lot of heads this weekend and showed why he should have won the award."
After pausing briefly, Orpik added: "Rooming with him is exceptional."
It was a moment that epitomized the misconceptions of Gerbe that have frequented the college hockey world all season long.
Yes, he's "feisty." Yes, he's taken some liberties. But no, he's not a jerk. No, he's not arrogant. No, he's not in it for himself.
He's simply an incredible player who delivered when his team needed him most.
It was such a clutch performance that when asked about Gerbe, Norte Dame's Jackson could hardly stop doting on his one-time player at U.S. National Developmental program.
"God bless the small guy because he plays fearless and with a lot of jam and skill," Jackson said. "He reminds me of another small player from BC — Brian Gionta — although he might even be quicker than Brian."
Perhaps it was his speed that propelled Gerbe to score the title game's first two goals and set up the final two goals, but how it happened doesn't really matter. What matters much more is the fact that Gerbe, playing with a bull's eye on his jersey as the team's most dangerous scoring threat, still produced. And produced. And produced some more.
With the four points tallied by Gerbe on Saturday night, he finishes the season as the nation's leader in goals, points and points per game with 35, 68 and 1.58, respectively. Who is second to Gerbe in all three categories?
You guessed it, Kevin Porter.
Still, with a resume that continued to bulk a little more with every playoff game, Gerbe didn't give much play to the notion that he deserved to win the Hobey Baker award over Porter.
"Yeah, it might be a different story," Gerbe said, when asked his thoughts on if the Hobey would be named tomorrow instead of yesterday. "But our goal was to win a national championship not a Hobey Baker, and that's what we did. The Hobey would have been great for an individual honor but for a team honor this national championship is as good as it gets."
As he finished his last round of interviews, the still-dressed Gerbe found himself glancing to his Boston College locker room door each time a hoot or holler erupted.
Sensing he was missing out on the tidal wave of emotions that come with winning a national championship, Gerbe fielded one last question: What was the best thing about Denver?
"Just winning," he said, as he turned, opened the locker room door and rejoined the team he had just led to its third national championship in its history.
For Gerbe, it was the perfect end to the perfect Frozen Four.
Gerbe, Hell of a tournament!!! You are the man!!!
Apr 13 2008, 3:04 am by Jeff, Fargo
Congratulations to Nate Gerbe and the 2007-2008 BC Eagles on a great championship run!
Apr 13 2008, 8:10 am by Siouxfan, Duluth
Great Championship run by BC. However, to disparrage Kevin Porter by questioning his winning of the Hobey Baker over a kid with a good season statistically but who was also suspended for CONSISTENT dirty play is bush-league journalism at best. I don't recall this kind of article after T.J. Hensick wasn't even invited to the Hat Trick last season after the one game misconduct penalty, even though he led the nation in scoring. Nor was there any questioning of Ryan Duncan's legitimacy as the winner. Kevin Porter was easily the best player and leader all season. To cast any doubt on that less than 48 hours after him winning the award would bring shame to anyone not holding a journalist's credentials. Thanks for again showing why most of the articles I read today are shallow and knee-jerk at best.
Apr 13 2008, 2:08 pm by Jon, San Antonio
I agree totally on what Jackson has siad abount the Hobey Baker. Gerbe played outstanding in the Frozen Four, and I think deserved the award, in all respect to Kevin Porter. Gerbe was a leader to the Eagles and without him the Eagles would not have gone to the Froven Four. Gerbe should have been the winner of the Hobey Baker.
Apr 13 2008, 10:44 pm by Nick, Albany New York
The dirty play of Gerbe is sensationalized and overblown by many on the internet (either on message board or through blogs like Elliot Olpinkslipped) and forces those to watch for things that just aren't there. The kid is a humble and amazing player. Porter deserved the trophy. But so did Gerbe and he proved it this weekend. "Consistent dirty play" ... um. ok. No more than anyone else in the league. And if you don't give the kid credit for what he receives in terms of cheap shots and attention from other teams, you're crazy. That kid gets pounded and the league officials clearly dislike him and let it go. Good for him that he stuck up for himself.
Congrats to BC.
Apr 14 2008, 9:33 am by Matty (Maine)
First, Nathan Gerbe is a great player and he had an amazing year which was capped off by winning the National Championship. However, he was not the "leader" at BC. Mike Brennan was the captain and the leader of the BC team. Second, the Hobey Baker is awarded to the best player in college hockey THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SEASON. That is why they award a Frozen Four MVP. I'm very dissapointed in CHN for writing this article.
Apr 14 2008, 10:29 am by Phil, Minneapolis
Ha. Sounds like sour grapes for Jackson who earlier in the season called Porter "the best player in college hockey". Maybe he changed his mind when Porter wished North Dakota luck instead of Notre Dame!
Apr 14 2008, 10:36 am by Oliver, Ypsilanti
Hey Phil, Gerbe led the country in pts over the whole season. Seems he could make a case for the "best player in college hockey THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SEASON"
Apr 14 2008, 12:06 pm by Matty (Maine)
I think you guys are misinterpreting the article, or else is could've been made more clear. ... It's simply interesting to point out that everyone in Denver was saying - kind of tongue in cheek - that if they re-counted the votes, Gerbe would win. No one is actually suggesting this should've been done, or that Porter shouldn't have won, or that Porter isn't a deserving pick. Jackson wasn't actually saying that, and we weren't either.
Apr 14 2008, 12:27 pm by CHN Editor
You can say good bye to Gerbe as the Buffalo Sabres will come call with a contract in hand.
Apr 14 2008, 1:23 pm by
Gerbe got what he wanted - A national championship. If that isn't want he wanted out his trip to Denver, than he isn't worthy of being considered for the Hobey anyway. You don't think Porter would swap the Hobey for a National Championship in a heartbeat?
It's like winning the Hart in the NHL while you watch another team hoist the Stanley Cup - it rings a bit hollow for the guy that goes home with the Hart, but no Cup.
Apr 16 2008, 1:58 pm by Ryan J - Central, WI
No Hobey No All-American bid but still best player in the NCAA Tourney
Apr 21 2008, 2:06 pm by
Correcting the comment above this one, Gerbe was in fact named a first-team All-American last week.
Apr 22 2008, 11:57 am by Avash Kalra, CHN
USA Hockey has selected Nathan Gerbe as the College Player of the Year. Interesting. I wonder what would have happened with the Hobey if it was voted on after the FF like this award was. The Hobey embarrassed itself over a decade ago and moved their voting back several weeks after seeing what Marty Reasoner did (also led country in scoring, NOT a top 10 finalist, hahahahah). Not as extreme or even an embarrassment this time, because Porter was clearly deserving, but again the Hobey needs to wake up and move this back to the end of the season to take into account NCAA and FF performances as well.
May 30 2008, 1:36 pm by Matty (Maine)
