Third-period outburst paces 6-4 win

After two tepid periods of play, BU broke a 3-3 tied with three final period goals to beat Merrimack, 6-4 and return to the winning side of the ledger last night at Agganis Arena. Joe Pereira, Chris Connolly and Vinny Saponari (ENG) had the goals, matched only by one extra-attacker Warrior goal in the final minutes. Colby Cohen scored twice on power plays—the first off a slick Saponari pass (check the video)—and now is tied for second in the nation in goals by defensemen with seven. Sophomore Ross Gaudet had opened the BU scoring with his second goal of the weekend.

Cohen’s second two-goal effort of the month earned him first-star honors, but Coach Jack Parker singled out goalie Grant Rollheiser (photo) who stopped 39 shots. Two Warrior goals came with a man-advantage and a third was scored just seconds after a Terrier penalty ended. The other goal, Merrimack’s first came on a breakaway when BU assistant captain fell down.

The fifth anniversary of Agganis Arena (technically, it was Jan. 3) was celebrated last night with Travis Roy dropping the puck in a pregame ceremony. BU opened its current home with a 2-1 win over Minnesota. Brad Zancanaro scored the first-ever goal at Agganis.

• USCHO recap
• GoTerriers.com recap, comprehensive box score , All-Access video highlights
• Boston Herald recap
• The Boston Hockey Blog game grades
• WTBU: recap, analysis, photo gallery
• Inside Hockey recap
• Coach Jack Parker’s post-game comments (audio)

Looking back

Former Terrier goalie Rick DiPietro earned his first NHL win since December 2008 last night in a 3-2 shootout Islanders win over Buffalo. DiPietro, missed a full season recovering from knee surgery, outdueled Ryan Miller and stopped 31 shots in regulation and five more in the shootout. The Sabres got a goal from Mike Grier, his ninth of the season.

The outcome wasn't so good for former BU All-American John Curry. In his first start since his recall from the AHL, the Penguins' netminder gave up five goals on 14 shots in a 6-2 loss to Vancouver.

Keith Tkachuk had a pair of assists in the Blues 4-1 win over the New York Rangers. The game was one of two NHL contests last night in which three ex-Terriers were on the ice: DiPietro, Grier and Freddy Meyer in the Isles-Sabres game; Tkachuk, Chris Drury and Matt Gilroy in the Blues-Rangers game, and

Looking ahead

2010 recruit Charlie Coyle scored two power play goals to lead South Shore Kings past Apple Core, 3-2. Coyle now has 50 points, second best in the EJHL. We hope to post some video soon of Coyle in Friday's game against the Philadelphia Revolution.