Alumni Terriers turn out to watch BU win 5-2, out Northeastern from playoffs

[Boston Hockey Blog slide show]

Four second period goals powered BU to a 5-2 win against Northeastern on Senior Night at Agganis Arena. Terriers fell behind, 1-0, in the game’s first minute on shot that deflected off a defender. After a sluggish first period, BU found the net twice in 19 seconds on Matt Nieto’s 13th goal and Wade Megan’s 18th. Three minutes late, Garrett Noonan finished of a 3-on-1 rush for a shorthander with goalie Kieran Millan picking up an assist. Ryan Santana’s redirect of a Ross Gaudet shot completed the second period-onslaught.

Northeastern narrowed the margin to two on a power play goal, but Captain Chris Connolly put the game out of reach with an empty-netter. Millan stopped 25 shots in his final regular-season appearance at Agganis Arena.

The win keeps BU’s hopes for a regular season conference title alive. They’ll need to beat Northeastern at Matthews Arena tonight and have Vermont upset BC. A BU win or tie will lock up at least a second-place finish.

Approximately 40 former Terriers—some traveling from as far away as The Bahamas and Montreal--attended the game in show of support for the Terriers, Coach Jack Parker and the program on Senior Night. The alums, whose presence in the Arena was a well-kep secret, lined the route from the dressing room to the ice and encouraged the players as they went out for the pregame warm ups.

Among those in attendance: Steve Greeley, Brian Collins, Andy Warren, Kevin Kielt, Tim Kimball, John Bethel, Brad Zancanaro, Bill Whelton, Bob Boileau, Dennis O'Connell, Paul Giandomenico, Joe Robillard, Jim McCann, David Silk, Pat Aufiero, Ken Roche, Mike Dimella, Bill McCormack, Boomer Ewing, Kevin Schaeffer, Carl Corazzini, Chris Mays, Mark Fidler, Sean McEachern, Peter Brown, Ed Walsh, Jim Wood, Chris McCann, Marc Hetnik, Mike Prendergast, Tom Dion, Darryl MacLeod, David Sacco, Sean Ferullo, Jerry August, Dan Ronan, Stephan Siwiec, David Delorey and Chris Henes. [Thanks to CDRAL for the details]

● GoTerriers.com recap, comprehensive box score
● Video highlights
● Boston Hockey Blog recap, Senior Night feature
● USCHO recap
● WTBU Sports recap
● College Hockey News current playoff picture
● HockeyEastOnline current playoff picture
● Boston Globe recap
● Boston Herald recap
● NCAA.com recap

Looking ahead
2012 recruit Robert Polesello and 2013 recruit Rob Baillargeon each scored a goal as Indiana put up a touchdown against Chicago, blanking the Steel 7-0. Baillargeon who also added a pair of assists, now how 40 points (12-28) in 42 games.

2012 recruit Matt O’Connor earned his league-leading 24th win of the season, backstopping Youngstown to a 6-3 win against the NTDP U17s.

A pair goals by 2012 recruit Mike Moran led Bay State to a 4-1 win against Rochester to sweep the best of 3 first-round EJHL playoffs. Moran, who also scored in the Breakers’ 4-2 win in game 1 on Tuesday, has a six-game scoring streak, including the final four regular season games.

Looking back

Former Terrier Matt Gilroy picked up his first point as an Ottawa Senator, assisting on his team’s only goal in a 2-1 loss to Chicago. Gilroy was acquired this past week by Ottawa, which was seeking a puck-moving blueliner.

Another puck-moving d-man, Bryan Miller has matched his career high in points –41—with an assist in Alaska’s 4-2 win against Stockton. Miller has 161 points in his past four seasons with the Aces.

Women’s program
● WTBU Sports preview of Hockey East semifinal vs. B.C.