Thursday Linkorama

Dallas Stars’ fan site Defending Big D takes an in-depth look at Alex Chiasson, the Stars second round draft choice in 2009 who is considered the top forward prospect in the team’s system. An ESPN Dallas/Ft. Worth report on the AHL Texas Stars suggests that Chiasson might be headed to the Lone Star State after BU’s season concludes.

● Duluth Tribune feature on the Connolly Brothers
● College Hockey News’ experts make their picks
● ESPN Twin Cities preview

Here's the second installment of the history of BU vs. Minnesota in the NCAAs
Like the current Terriers, the 1973-74 BU squad had to endure a degree of turmoil and an unexpected departure from the program. But it wasn’t a player who left, it was the coach. Six games into his second season as BU head coach, Leon Abbott was dismissed due to issues involving player eligibility and replaced by assistant coach Jack Parker. After an up-and-down start to the season produced seven wins and five losses, the Terriers won 15 of their next 17 games, culminating in the program’s second ECAC title. BU defeated Dartmouth, Cornell and Harvard in the conference playoffs. The 1973-74 squad was a scoring juggernaut, with 10 skaters in double figures in goals, eight registering 40 points or more and a team total of 190 goals. Forward Bill Burlington and defenseman Vic Stanfield both earned first-team All-America honors.

A week after winning the ECAC title at Boston Garden, BU returned its second home to meet the Gophers in the NCAA semifinals. The visitors had the better of the play in the first two periods and enjoyed a 4-2 lead in the third period when BU mounted a comeback. A pair of goals by freshman Rick Meagher brought the Terriers even late in the period. One of Meagher’s goals was an electrifying end-to-end rush reminiscent of what Bobby Orr was doing at the Garden for the Bruins. With less than two minutes to go in regulation, BU went on a power play and victory appeared to be within BU’s grasp. But a puck hopped over Stanfield’s stick at the point, leading to a Gopher two-on-one with Mike Polich blasting the puck past BU’s Ed Walsh with 13 ticks left on the clock for a 5-4 Minnesota win.

Looking back
The Albany Times Union profiles former BU netminder Jason Tapp, who is the goalie coach at Union College, ECAC champions and the top seed in Eastern Regional of the NCAA tournament. Tapp has been mentoring sophomore Troy Grosenick, who enters the tournament with a gaudy 1.6515 GAA in 31.

Nick Bonino scored his fifth goal of the season in Anaheim’s 4-3 win victory over St. Louis. His former Terrier teammate Kevin Shattenkirk registered his 29th assist for the Blues.
● Video