Power play goals ease BU past Vermont

BU made it two wins in a row with an uncomfortably close 4-3 win against Vermont at Agganis Arena. Sophomore blueliner Garrett Noonan scored the game-winner on a power play, his fourth goal of the season, earning first-star honors.

The Terriers’ resurgent power play produced two goals in five chances, with a third goal coming seconds after a man-advantage ended. Matt Nieto assisted on both power play goals, setting up Noonan for a wrister from the right faceoff circle and Charlie Coyle from the top of the crease. Wade Megan’s fifth goal of the season broke a 2-2 tie in the second period.

Senior center Corey Trivino produced BU’s first goal–for the third time in the past four games—with a wrist shot from the slot. His seven goals are one shy of his career best, achieved last season. Trivino also won some key faceoff late in the third when the Catamounts were pressing to tie the score and nearly added an empty-netter.

Grant Rolleheiser stopped 31 shots, 13 of them in the final period. He allowed a rebound, leading to Vermont’s first goal, but made numerous strong saves including one on Catamount top scorer Sebastian Stalberg in the game’s final minutes. Terrier coach Jack Parker praised the senior netminder's strong game, but was clearly displeased with his team's third-period effort.

All six members of BU’s top two lines picked up at least one point. Nieto with a team-leading 14 points (7-7) has scored in nine of BU’s 10 games.

● GoTerriers.com recap, comprehensive box score and video highlights
● Noonan/Rollheiser post-game comments
● NESN Video highlights
● USCHO recap
● Boston Hockey Blog recap and analysis
● CHN analysis and box score
● WTBU Radio recap
● HockeyEastOnline recap
● Boston Globe recap
● Burlington Free Press recap

Looking ahead
BCHL
2012 recruit Wesley Myron scored a natural hattrick for Victoria in the final period, turning a 3-3 tie into a 6-3 win for the Grizzlies against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. The 6-2 center, who also had an assist and earned first-star honors, now has an 11-16-27 line in 14 games. Teammate Mike Moran’s assist gave him 32 points for the season, sixth best in the BCHL.
● Times-Colonist recap

2012 recruit Marc Hetnik, Jr., assisted on a power play goal for Vernon, which fell to Surrey, 3-2.

USHL
2012 recruit Matt O’Connor stopped 44 shots to backbone Youngstown’s 4-1 win against Chicago. The 6-5 netminder raised his record to 7-3 and has won three of his past four starts.

Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, a 2013 recruit, recorded a goal for the NTDP U18s in 4-2 loss to Green Bay.

2013 recruit Robbie Baillargeon's short-handed goal against Muskegeon was nominated for USHL top play for Weeks 6 & 7. It appears 1:18 into this video clip:



Looking back—injury update edition
Former Terrier Brandon Yip, MVP of the 2009 Hockey East tournament, returned to the Colorado Avalanche lineup Thursday and Friday nights. He’d suffered a broken arm in the Avalanche’s final pre-season game.

Penguins defenseman Brian Strait, who hyper-extended an elbow in his first NHL game this season, has been fitted for a brace and has begun skating and some light passing. He hopes to return to action after the holidays.