The Repeat Champions; New gig for Quinn

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5️⃣0️⃣ years ago today, we won our second straight national championship with a 4-0 victory over Cornell at Boston Garden, becoming the first eastern school to win back-to-back NCAA titles.

Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from that historic victory. pic.twitter.com/4N8mRKNrqW

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) March 18, 2022

 

 This Date in BU Hockey History: March 18

1972: Behind 39 saves by senior Tim Regan and two goals each from juniors Ron Anderson and Ric Jordan, BU blanked Cornell, 4-0 at a sold-out Boston Garden to successfully defend its NCAA hockey championship. The victory was the perfect send-off for Coach Jack Kelley in his final game behind the Terrier bench. And it marked the first time an Eastern team had won back-to-back NCAA titles.

                              Herb Gallagher, Jack Kelley, Jake Danby
The power play was a key element of the Terrier offense during both title seasons, clicking at 36.5%, and BU would connect on its first two man-advantage opportunities.

Midway through the first period, Anderson beat Cornell’s Dave Elenbaas with a 30-footer, assisted by Jordan and his blueline partner, Bob Brown.

In the second period, skating 4-on-3, BU doubled the lead with Jordan firing home a shot from the left circle following a pass from Brown. Regan kept the score 2-0 after two periods, making great saves on three grade A chances for the Big Red.

In the opening minutes of the third period, BU scored off the rush. Toot Cahoon set up Anderson for a backhander that deflected off a defender and past Elenbaas. Twelve minutes later, an unmarked Jordan scored his 13^th goal from the slot, after Cahoon and Anderson exchanged passes on the right side, for a 4-0 Terrier lead.

Regan, who dealt Cornell its first shutout in 225 games, earned Most Outstanding Player honors and was joined on the All-Tournament team by Brown, Jordan and Captain Jake Danby, who had a hat trick in the semifinal.

Danby and goalie Dan Brady, whose injury led to Regan’s Frozen Four heroics, were named first team All-Americans along with Brown who was a repeat All-American.

Kelley completed his 10 seasons as BU head coach with a 206-80-8 record, good for a .714 winning percentage, including 54-6-2 over the final two seasons.

Kelley next became Coach and General Manager of the WHA’s New England Whalers, with Danby, Jordan and Terrier team manager Chris Henes joining him, and led the Whalers to the league’s first AVCO Cup Championship.

● YouTube: 1972 NCAA Championship highlights

● Sports Illustrated BU Wins with Stout Defense and a Crafty Power Play

● Wikipedia report

● Looking Back at BU’s 2^nd National Championship

Former BU head coach David Quinn has been selected to lead the U.S. National Team in the IIHF World Championships to be played May 13-29 in Finland. Last month, he led Team USA at the Beijing Winter Olympic games.

● USA Hockey report    

 

Looking ahead

2022 recruit Charles-Alexis Legault scored a goal and assisted on two other in West Kelowna's 5-3 win against Salmon Arm. It was the first three-point BCHL game for the 6'3", right-shot defenseman, who earned first-star honors for the game. West Kelowna coach Simon Ferguson:"I think Charles has been a beast for the last month or two...when he's been in the lineup mostly this year. He's the kind of player we've wanted all along."

2023 recruit Shane Lachance score a pair of goals and assisted on a third in Youngstown's 4-3 shootout loss to Green Bay. The 6'5" left-shot forward has a 9-9-18 scoring line in his first USHL season.

 

Looking back

● Chicago Sun-Times: Vlasic an early bird on first day

Jordan Greenway’s sixth goal was the game-winner for Minnesota in a 4-2 win against the Bruins. Charlie Coyle and Charlie McAvoy assisted on Boston’s second goal.