Memorable goals, signature celebrations

Chris Drury scores in overtime, 3/22/97

In the aftermath of BU’s Red Hot Hockey win, there’s been much attention to Ross Gaudet’s “Tebowing” (down on one knee) after his overtime winner. The junior wing explained “It’s something I’ve been thinking of doing if I scored a goal. This was a good stage to do it [on] I guess.”

Gaudet is not the first Terrier to prepare a special goal-scoring celebration for a game in a unique venue. When David Warsofsky broke the ice at the January 2010 BU-BC Frozen Fenway with the game’s first goal, he also broke out an homage to the venerable home of the Red Sox with a pantomimed home run swing (video).

In BU’s 1995 NCAA championship game win against Maine, captain Jacques Joubert and tournament Most Outstanding Player Chris O’Sullivan each punctuated a goal with a personal signature celebration. Joubert followed his second-period rebound marker with his trademark fencing flourish, while O’Sullivan celebrated his second goal of the game by skating to the boards, turning his stick into a rifle and “shooting” the Black Bears' goalie. (Video: Jourbert-3rd BU goal, O’Sullivan-5th)

Two seasons later in the 1997 NCAA regional final, after converting a Chris Kelleher rebound in overtime to send BU to the Final Four, the normally low-key Chris Drury delighted Terrier fans with a hockey version of the Lambeau Leap, elevating into the glass in the corner of Walter Brown Arena. (Video)

More recently “the leap” returned as the preferred celebration of Pete MacArthur during his four years in Scarlet. (Video 2:15). And, after banging home the game-winner in the 2009 NCAA semifinal against Vermont, Colin Wilson celebrated with his “wind ‘em up” hand twirl. (Video 8:30; photo)

Of course, the milestone goals will be remembered more vividly than these celebrations. But as long as no one is pulling a Sharpie out of his boot to autograph a puck, why not add a creative punctuation to the moment?

►Episode 8 of Inside BU Hockey, now available on GoTerriers.com, is a special one. Along with Coach Jack Parker and Ross Gaudet, Bernie Corbett interviews legendary Coach Jack Kelley who led BU to back-to-back national championships in 1971 and 1972.

►Bay State Road Sports offers a Q&A interview with hard-hitting sophomore defenseman Garrett Noonan.

►College Hockey News’ Scott McLaughlin examines the recent resurgence of the Terriers’ power play and penalty kill units.

►Speculating about the final U.S. Junior National Team roster for the upcoming World Junior Championships, United States of Hockey.com suggests that three Terriers—Charlie Coyle, Adam Clendening and Matt Nieto—are strong candidates for Team USA.

Looking back
Former BU standout Mike Grier has announced his retirement following 14 NHL seasons and 1060 games. A ninth round draft pick by St. Louis in 1983, his rights were traded to Edmonton, where he began his pro career. He later played for Washington, San Jose and Buffalo, where he teamed for several season with Terrier teammate Chris Drury.
► Grier buries BC's Joe Callahan in the 1995 Beanpot Final in what ESPN's Darren Pang calls "the hit."


Like Matt Gilroy and John Curry, Grier evolved from walk-on to All-American (1995) during his three years at BU. A top forward at St. Sebastian's before arriving at BU, he became the first US-born and trained African-American player to play in the NHL. Grier issued a statement through the NHLPA:

I was very fortunate to be able to play 14 seasons in the NHL with some great players. "The memories and friendships that I have built during my time in the league will last a lifetime. I would like to thank my former teammates, family and fans for helping make my career so memorable for me. It was a great ride, and I am now excited and looking forward to my post-playing future."

2000-2001 Terrier captain Carl Corazzini is the latest alum to enter the coaching ranks, taking over the top job at Weston (Mass.) High School. A member of BU’s 100-point club (65-55-117), Corazzini’s post-BU career included 12 games and two goals for the Bruins and five games with the Blackhawks. He concluded his playing career last year with the Straubing Tigers of the German DEL and earlier this season appeared as an analyst on NESN broadcasts of college hockey.
● Video of a Corazzini shootout goal for the Peoria Rivermen in 2009

Matt Gilroy’s slick entry pass set up an easy one-timer by Tampa’s Steve Stamkos, but it wasn’t enough as Detroit doubled up the Lightening.