Game Day: BU vs. Merrimack

#3 BU takes on #4 Merrimack in North Andover tonight in a crucial Hockey East matchup. Currently, BU is in first place, two points ahead of fourth-place Merrimack, however, the Warriors have two games in hand. And the winner of tonight’s game will win the season’s series, that being the first criteria in case a tiebreaker is needed for the final standings.

Merrimack won the first game in November, 3-2 in overtime, while BU took the second game in January, 4-2.
The game pits two of the nation’s top goalies, BU’s Kieran Millan and MC’s Joe Cannata, against each other. The two are the active national leaders in career wins with 74 and 55 respectively.

BU captain Chris Connolly (photo) leads current Terriers in career scoring against Merrimack with 10 points (5+5), while Alex Chiasson has 6 (1+5). Connolly has a seven-game point-scoring streak. Ryan Flanigan is Merrimack’s scoring leader this season with 20 points.

The 7 p.m. game will air locally on WBIN and nationally on Fox College Sports-Pacific.

Max Nicastro and Alexx Privitera are out with injuries. Terriers will again rotate five defensemen, with Ben Rosen available to shift back to the blueline if needed.

BU Lineup
Nieto-Connolly-Chiasson
Megan-Gill-Hohmann
Courtnall-Rosen-Rodrigues
Gaudet-Santana-Gilroy
Noonan-MacGregor
Escobedo-Clendening
Ronan-Ruikka
Millan

● GoTerriers.com preview, game notes, Live Stats
● Listen to WWZN radio Webcast
● Hockey East live scoreboard
● Daily Free Press preview
● Warrior Rink Rat preview
● Boston Hockey Blog live in-game blog
● College Hockey News’ Tale of the Tape/Top scorers and goalies

Looking ahead
The Hockey News has posted its rankings (with comments) of the top high school players eligible for the 2012 draft. Two BU 2013 recruits are among the top 10.
#6 Sam Kurker -- Wicked shot, great size; skates well for a big man.
#8 Brendan Collier -- Undersized and edgy; a leader with passion.

Looking back
After several trips back to the AHL, Anaheim's Nick Bonino has claimed a spot as the Duck’s third-line center.