#4.13.24

Hello, I wanted to ask what the context of this game is, I always get videos of the three destroyed but I don't know what the context is, because Leno was so sad, did they lose a final? Oo was the last game together?

As what is commonly referred to as the BC Line, Will, Leno, and Gabe had a fantastic first season at Boston College. The three, along with teammate Cutter Gauthier and Boston University rival Macklin Celebrini, were recognized multiple times throughout the season for their achievements, though the ultimate goal of any NCAA hockey player is to reach the national championship game.

Which Boston College did in 2024, though Will, Leno, and Gabe were just freshmen. Their dreams of winning the championship game, though, were dashed as they fell to Denver (and former USNTDP teammate Zeev Buium) 0 - 2 in that final game.

The now iconic image of the moments following that loss is of nineteen-year-old Ryan Leonard curled in on himself, sobbing on the ice. His childhood friend Will Smith approaches, pushes his teammate's hands aside, and pulls his friend to his feet. Steps in front of the camera filming his breakdown and helps pulls his broken pieces together.

Will doesn't announce he's leaving BC until May 28 for the NHL, after the Sharks win the number 1 draft pick. Will insists he made up his mind prior to the Draft Lottery, but the writing is on the wall: the Sharks are likely taking Mack number 1 and Will doesn't want to be left behind in the rebuild.

Leno and Gabe come back for a second year but miss the championship game. Wide speculation is that tension formed between Leno and Will after Will decided to leave instead of join them for another year.