Break's over

The #9 Terriers resume play this weekend, ringing in the New Year Saturday evening in South Bend, Indiana, where they’ll meet #5 Notre Dame. The game will air nationally at 7 p.m. ET on Versus (which changes its moniker to NBC Sports Network on Jan. 1). Look for our usual Game Day post on Saturday.

● USCHO: Hockey East game picks and What teams need to do in 2nd half
● Hockey East Online's weekly release
● New England Hockey Journal's first half Hockey East grades

World Junior Championships
Team USA was jolted by Finland, 4-1, in its second preliminary game. Charlie Coyle assisted on the U.S.’s only goal. Next up is the Czech Republic on Friday at 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time. NHL Network will air the game.
● USA Hockey recap
● United States of Hockey recap

Looking ahead
2013 recruit Robbie Baillargeon scored his 11th goal-- a snap-shot from the left circle that banged in off the crossbar-- in Indiana’s 3-2 win against Muskegon. He has goals in three straight games and eight points in the past five games.

2012 recruit Matt O’Connor stopped 41 shots in Youngstown’s 2-1 shootout loss to Cedar Rapids.

Looking back
Colin Wilson’s shootout goal (photo credit AP/Mike Strasinger) proved to be the difference in Nashville’s 2-1 win against Minnesota.
● Knoxville News-Sentinel recap

Former Terrier Luke Popko's power play goal was the game-winner for the Bloomington Blazers in a 4-3 win against Fort Wayne on Tuesday. In 15 CHL games, Popko has a 5-3-8 scoring line.