A frightening moment overshadowed Maine’s dominant 3-0 shutout victory over Boston College on November 23. Jeremy Langlois, a freshman defenseman for the No. 10 Black Bears, was stretchered off the ice after absorbing a crushing check from Brady Berard. The incident left both teams and fans holding their breath for 10 minutes.
🔥 Quick Facts:
Jeremy Langlois suffered possible concussion after Berard check
Maine defeated Boston College 3-0 at Conte Forum
Incident happened with 8:46 remaining in third period
Langlois was conscious and able to move extremities
Mathis Rousseau posted first career shutout, stopping 21 shots
What Happened During the Scary Moment
Langlois went down hard in the corner. Berard delivered a crushing shoulder-to-shoulder check that sent the freshman flying awkwardly into the boards. The defenseman hit his head violently on the ice and stayed motionless. Both benches understood immediately. Nobody moved.
Medical staff rushed onto the ice with emergency equipment. 10 minutes felt like an eternity. Both teams took a knee while trainers attended to the injured freshman. Eventually, a stretcher was brought out and Langlois was carefully strapped down and carried off.
“Langlois was able to move his extremities,” Maine head coach Ben Barr stated after the game. Boston College coach Greg Brown added, “Probably got his head hit pretty hard.” Both coaches sounded cautiously optimistic about Langlois’s condition, though a concussion remained a concern.
Maine Dominates On An Emotional Night
The hockey itself became secondary to health and safety. Yet Maine played outstanding on Saturday night. Freshman goalie Mathis Rousseau was phenomenal between the pipes. He made an unbelievable 21 stops and never let BC threaten seriously.
Miguel Marques paced the offense with a pair of goals. Josh Nadeau added one. The Black Bears snapped Boston College’s five-game winning streak. This marked Maine’s first win in their last seven games at this venue. They salvaged a series split after dropping game one 7-3.
The Eagles controlled possession with 21 shots, but Rousseau’s positioning was flawless. He’d served as a backup since early November and seized the opportunity. His first career shutout came on a night nobody will forget.
Timeline and Game Details
Statistic
Maine
Boston College
Final Score
3
0
Shots on Goal
19
21
Goaltender Saves
21 (Rousseau)
16 (Cloutier)
Series Results
Split 1-1
Lost series
Location
Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill
Home loss
Maine started fast and never looked back. Marques scored just 1:32 into the contest. Nadeau extended the lead later in the first period with a shorthanded marker. The Black Bears added insurance in the third frame. That was enough.
NCAA Concussion Protocol and Safety Concerns
College hockey has become increasingly concerned about player safety. The NCAA requires strict protocols when suspected concussions occur. Any student-athlete with a concussion must undergo supervised return-to-play progression. This means a physician must clear them before practices or competition resume.
The incident with Langlois highlights the physical toll modern hockey takes. Checks into the boards remain legal but dangerous. Teams must balance competitive intensity with player welfare. Both Barr and Brown described the moment as scary—truly unsettling for everyone involved.
The good news? Langlois was conscious and responsive. He could move his limbs immediately after impact. Those are positive signs. However, head injuries require patience and careful evaluation. The coming days will be crucial.
What Comes Next For Both Teams?
Maine and Boston College face different paths forward. Maine improved to 8-5-1 overall and 5-3 in Hockey East play. The Black Bears have next weekend off before hosting rival New Hampshire on Dec. 5-6. Momentum matters now. Rousseau’s shutout performance showed they have a capable backup.
Boston College slipped to 7-5-1 and 5-3 in Hockey East. The Eagles host Notre Dame on Friday at 1 p.m. They need to regroup and refocus. Their five-game winning streak came to a halt against a hungry Maine team.
The bigger question remains Langlois’s status. His absence would hurt Maine’s blue line. Freshman defensemen are crucial to program development. Here’s hoping he makes a full recovery and returns soon to the ice.
Has Hockey’s Physical Nature Gone Too Far?
Moments like this spark debate about checking rules. Should the NCAA revisit what constitutes a legal check? Berard’s hit appeared shoulder-to-shoulder and along the boards. It was forceful but not flagrant. Yet the result was terrifying for everyone watching.
College hockey walks a delicate line. The sport thrives on physicality and intensity. Players accept risks when they step on the ice. But protecting brain health must remain paramount. Teams, coaches, and the NCAA must continue strengthening concussion protocols and player education.
What do you think? Have we done enough to protect college hockey players from serious head injuries?
Sources
Sports Illustrated – Game recap and post-game statements from both coaches
Bangor Daily News – Detailed Maine hockey coverage and injury updates
NCAA – Official concussion safety protocol and return-to-play guidelines
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.