Terriers rally past BC, 3-2, to reach Hockey East final

Trailing BC 1-0 midway through the third period, BU exploded for three goals in 44 seconds—a Hockey East tournament record—then held on to squeeze past the Eagles, 3-2 in the league tournament semifinal. BU will meet UMass-Lowell, a 3-2 overtime winner over Northeaster, in the Hockey East championship game on Saturday night.

“Big Train” Zach Cohen (photo, credit Dominick Reuter) got BU untracked, forcing his way from the corner to the BC net and beating John Muse on a low backhander. Just 21 seconds later, Brian Strait’s one-timer from the left point went past a screened Muse. Then Colin Wilson duplicated Cohen’s goal, coming out of the opposite corner.

We have recaps from Hockey East Online USCHO, College Hockey News The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald and The New York Times and a comprehensive boxscore. Video highlights from NESN. Post-game comments from Coach Parker and the players below.


► With the victory, BU has 30 wins for the first time since 1995-95.

► Colin Wilson’s goal gave him 50 points. He’s the first Terrier to reach the half-century mark since Chris Drury. Senior Chris Higgin's assist on Wilson's goal gave him 40 points this season.

► Cohen's 10th goal made him the sixth Terrier to hit double figures in goals this season.

► BU spent nearly the entire game down a forward as Brandon Yip took a five-minute major and game misconduct for a hit from behind just 91 seconds into the first period.

►Assistant captain Strait—sporting a playoff beard—made his return after missing two weeks the a knee strain.

► BU scored on its first three shots of the third period and only had one more shot after the barrage.

► The Terrier senior class has a 9-8-2 record in 19 games with BC during four seasons.

►BU went 0 for 5 on the power play, but it wasn’t for lack of good puck movement. The Eagles blocked a slew of BU shots. Jason Lawrence had a great chance with nine minutes left in the middle stanza. The rebound of his shot from the slot trickled off to the side of BC netminder John Muse, but Lawrence couldn’t control the bouncing puck before being leveled.

►BU won 38 of 61 faceoffs, including 20 of 25 in the third period.

►BU met Lowell in the HE quarterfinals last year, beating the River Hawks, 2 games to 1. The teams last met in the Hockey East title game in 1994, with the Terriers winning 3-2.

►Lowell’s 3-2 OT semifinal win over Northeastern was its fourth extra-attacker goal since January. The River Hawks won three of the games in overtime and tied the other one.