Looking ahead: adding skill and muscle for the blueline

BU has a commitment for 2015 from Kimball Union freshman John MacLeod, a 6-2, 165 right shot defenseman. In 16 games for KUA, MacLeod, a Dracut, Mass. native who previously played at the Cardigan Mountain school, has an 0-9-9 line for the Wildcats who are the third-ranked prep hockey team in the Northeast. A standout at last summer’s USA Hockey Select 15 camp, he skated earlier this season for the Cleveland Barons Midget Minor team, recording three goals and two assists in 10 games.

U.S.Hockey Report quotes Mike Levine, his coach at KUA, as saying MacLeod “is a special talent because at 6’2” he can really skate, shoot the puck, and think the game at a high level, plus he’s tough and the loves the physical aspect of the game at such a young age – and that’s unique. He’s actually the toughest kid I have ever coached – and that includes the college level.”

MacLeod, who also visited Michigan, is expected to receive an invitation to the NTDP 40-man camp next March. If selected for the U17s roster, he could accelerate and join BU’s 2014 class.

Another KUA blueliner, 6’5”, 220 lb. junior Doyle Somerby will visit BU this week. He already has offers from Maine, UNH, UMass, and St. Lawrence. A ’94 birthdate, he was ranked #127 in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm rankings—four spots ahead of 2013 recruit Brendan Collier.

Speaking of Malden Catholic’s captain, Collier talked with the Boston Herald about playing with pressure.




In this past weekend’s 5-3 Malden Catholic win against St. John’s Prep, Collier went head-to-head with Prep’s co-captain and 2013 recruit Sam Kurker who scored his 11th goal of the season. Collier tallied the game’s final goal.

Last night, Kurker, who was ranked #41 among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings for the 2012 draft, was on the BU campus—at Walter Brown Arena—showing why he’s so highly regarded—and scored a hattrick to lead the Eagles to a 5-1 win against Catholic Memorial, the alma mater of his future Terrier coaches, Jack Parker, Buddy Powers and Mike Bavis and future teammates Garrett Noonan and Marc Hetnik, Jr.

► Please note that we've added a link to U.S.Hockey Report to our sidebar list of links. USHR is recognized as one of the most authoritative sources of information about college hockey recruiting and U.S. junior and prep hockey players. It has been a key source for many of our posts about Terrier recruits. USHR is a subscription site.

Working with the BU and Northeastern coaching staffs, USHR recently held its first International Hockey Showcase at Walter Brown Arena and Matthews Arena. Featured teams included the Boston Junior Bruins, Boston Advantage and Ontario midget AAA teams Vaughan Kings and Toronto Marlboros. Among the top players at the event were several reportedly high up on BU’s recruiting radar: High-scoring Junior Bruins forward Jack Eichel, regarded as the top ’96 U.S. forward, and Vaughan power forward Michael Dal Colle, who previously had visited BU and whose sister plays for Niagara.

In an article about top Canadian junior prospects this past fall, USHR wrote that the 6-2, 180 Dal Colle is a “big, strong goal scorer who has drawn comparisons to Rick Nash. Brings some intangibles to the table as he is the captain of the Vaughn Kings. Considers himself a hybrid power forward/sniper, but admits that his footwork needs improvement.”

Expected to be a high OHL draft choice, Dal Colle also has played a number of games this season with the OJHL St. Michael's Buzzers. Last summer he was one of 24 top Canadian bantam players chosen by the NHLPA to a take part in the Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship program. He also has played for the East Coast Selects tournament team, whose alumni include former Terriers Colby Cohen, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Corey Trivino, current Terriers Alex Chiasson and Matt Nieto and future Terriers Robert Polesello (2012) and Kevin Duane (2013). He was the ’96 East Coast Selects Player of the Year in 2009.

Polls, Pairwise and Honors
BU’s pair of comeback wins this past weekend—4-3 against Northeastern and 4-3 OT against Harvard—vaulted the Terriers to the #2 spot in the USCHO weekly poll and #3 in the USA Today poll. BU also moved into third place in the Pairwise Rankings.

HockeyEastOnline named the Terriers its Team of the Week and recognized four Terriers— Chiasson, Adam Clendening, Chris Connolly and Wade Megan—in its list of weekly top performers.

Sophomore blueliner Noonan who scored the overtime game-winner against Harvard and had a plus-4 rating on the weekend, raised his team-best rating to plus-13, which is tied for third in Hockey East.

●USCHO Hockey East blog
●Boston Herald feature on college hockey a s breeding ground for referees including former Terriers John Melanson, a member of BU's 1978 national championship team, and Dick DeCaprio, Hockey East's Supervisor of Officials.

Terriers Overcome Another Deficit, Defeat Crimson in Overtime 4-3 -- UPDATED

For the second night in a row, the Terriers trailed by two after one period. However, three point nights for sophomore defenseman Adam Clendening (3 assists), junior forward Alex Chiasson (3 assists) and senior co-captain Chris Connolly (2 goals, 1 assist) were enough to force overtime where sophomore Garrett Noonan (photo) scored the game-winner. Connolly's first period goal was also his first of the season.

Harvard got on the board early in the first period courtesy of Alex Fallstrom, and BU's tying power-play goal by Chris Connolly late in the period was overcome quickly by two Harvard goals. BU finally pulled within one in the third period when Connolly got his second of the night, and Ben Rosen managed to tie the game late after a video review. Noonan ended the game 2:08 into sudden-death overtime with his game-winning goal.

• GoTerriers.com recap, box score
  
• Hockey East Online recap, box score
• Boston Hockey Blog recap, Connolly feature
• Boston Globe recap
• Boston Herald recap
• The Harvard Crimson recap
  
• Coach Parker post-game comments
  

Looking ahead

2012 goalie recruit Sean Maguire (2012) stopped all 36 shots he faced in the Powell River Kings 7-0 shutout victory over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in BCHL action last night.

Looking back

Eric Gryba netted his third goal of the season in a 6-4 loss for Binghamton against Hershey.

Game Day: BU Visits Harvard

The Terriers make the short trip to Harvard's Bright Hockey Center for a game against the Crimson, seeking their third straight victory. BU fell to the Crimson in the Beanpot Consolation Game last season despite two goals from Alex Chiasson (photo); the Terriers will also will face Harvard in the first round this season.

• WTBU preview
• Listen to WWZN radio broadcast
  
• Boston Hockey Blog live blog, Megan feature, Saponari interview

Women's team

The women's hockey team took on Maine once again, this time with two 3 pm games at Walter Brown Arena. Maine took the first game this afternoon, 3-2, but the two Terrier goals both game from sophomore forward Marie-Philip Poulin, who made her return today from injury that had kept her out since Oct. 1.

Terriers Defeat Huskies, 4-3 -- UPDATED

BU overcame a 2-0 first period deficit, scoring four straight goals and finishing with a 4-3 victory tonight at Matthews Arena against Northeastern. Junior forward Wade Megan paced the Terriers with two goals, and Kieran Millan stopped 31 of 34 shots.

The Huskies opened the scoring in the first period, with first two even-strength strikes from Alex Tuckerman and Ludwig Karlsson. BU answered in the second period with 3 goals less than 4 minutes apart. Adam Clendening's second goal of the season and Megan's first of the night collectively even the score at two apiece. To cap the second period scoring came the first collegiate tally for Terrier freshman Evan Rodrigues (photo), on the power play. In the third period, Wade Megan's second goal of the night and 10th of the season gave BU a two-goal lead. The Huskies managed to pull within a goal late in the game with a power play and extra attacker, garnering an assist for former Terrier Vinny Saponari, but BU came away with the win.

The next game for the Terriers will be tomorrow night against Harvard at Bright Hockey Center, 7 pm. Harvard will be fresh off a 2-0 loss to Union during the Frozen Fenway event tonight.

• GoTerriers.com recap, boxscore
• Boston Hockey blog recap
• Hockey East Online recap, boxscore
• USCHO recap
• Boston Globe recap
• Boston Herald recap
• Video highlights below, courtesy of Hockey East/NESN
  

Looking ahead

The USA U-18 team was defeated 4-3 by the Indiana Ice of the USHL, but future Terriers on both sides had a hand in the final score, as Matthew Lane scored a goal for Team USA and Robert Polesello and Robbie Baillargeon each had a helper for Indiana.

Meanwhile, 2012 goaltending recruit Matthew O'Connor and Youngstown fell 2-1 to the USA U-17 team, despite him saving 33 of 35 shots on the night.

Looking back

Adrian Aucoin's 2nd goal of the season didn't stop the Coyotes from falling 4-3 to Columbus, but it did confuse the play-by-play guy.

Game Day: Terriers Visit Matthews Arena

#6 BU will face off with Hockey East opponent Northeastern for the first time this season at Matthews Arena tonight. This will offer an opportunity to see former player Vinny Saponari (pictured), now with the Huskies after being dismissed from the team in May 2010. The Terriers went 2-1 against the Huskies in the 2010-2011 regular season, but it was Northeastern who defeated BU two games to one in the Hockey East quarterfinals, ending their season.

Tonight's contest will be broadcast on NESN, with BU looking to stay atop the Hockey East standings.

• GoTerriers.com preview, game notes
• Listen on WWZN radio broadcast
• Follow on NU Live Stats
• Hockey East live scoreboard
• Boston Hockey Blog preview
• NESN article on bouncing back from departures

Looking ahead
Central Scouting Service has released their midterm rankings, with several Terrier recruits appearing on the list.

• 41 - Sam Kurker (2013)
• 43 - Rob Baillargeon (2013)
• 112 - Danny O'Regan (2013)
• 123 - Kevin Duane (2013)
• 131 - Brendan Collier (2013)
• 133 - Matthew Lane (2012)

Looking back
A two assist night for Bryan Miller in a 3-0 Alaska victory has him third in scoring for defensemen in the ECHL.
Chris Bourque picked up yet another point in Hershey's 4-3 win over Charlotte, but he remains 2nd in AHL scoring behind current teammate Keith Aucoin.

Thursday Linkorama: Millan Honored Again

For the third time this season, Kieran Millan has been named the Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week (league release). Millan stopped 42 of 44 shots faced last Friday against Merrimack College. Sahir Gill and Alexx Privitera were also honored.

• Boston University moved up to number 6 in both polls as a result of the victory against the Warriors (USCHO poll, USA Today poll).
• CHN Hockey East power rankings - BU moves up to #2
• USCHO Hockey East column

Women's team

Following the women's hockey team's 2-1 victory over Maine at Alfond Arena on Sunday, the team was named Team of the Week and freshman forward Kayla Tutino was honored as Rookie of the Week for the second time this season (GoTerriers release, Hockey East release).

Terriers Tie U-18, 3-3

Former U-18 player and current sophomore forward Matt Nieto (photo) led the way for BU with a goal and an assist as the Terriers and USA Under 18 team played to a 3-3 tie. Freshman Evan Rodrigues also recorded two assists in the effort for BU.

The U-18 opened the scoring with a goal from BU 2012 recruit Matthew Lane before three consecutive Boston University goals in a span of just over 5 minutes from freshman Alexx Privitera, Nieto, and junior Sean Escobedo. Team USA answered midway through the second period with a goal by North Dakota recruit Stefan Matteau, assisted by BU recruit Matt Grzelcyk. Finally, a third period goal by Nikolas Olsson of U-18 finished the scoring.

Grant Rollheiser started in net for BU and made 30 save on 33 shots faced. BU also put 48 shots on goal, including 17 in the 1st and 3rd periods, but a 45-save effort from USA netminder and University of Michigan commit Jared Rutledge kept the game to a tie.

• GoTerriers.com recap, box score, and video highlights
• Boston Hockey Blog recap and Ben Rosen feature
• WTBU Sports recap
• USCHO recap

• As the AHCA considers rule changes in college hockey once again, the Boston Herald asked Jack Parker for his opinions on 4 on 4 overtime as well as stricter penalty interpretations.

Looking back

College Hockey, Inc. has listed all former collegians in NHL front office positions. The list includes 13 names for Boston University: Ron Anderson, Joe Sacco, Bob Crocker, Mark Mullen, Jack Ferreira, Chris Kelleher, Paul Fenton, Jeff Kealty, Scott Lachance, Chris O'Sullivan, Mike Sullivan, Rick Meagher, and John Lilley.

Kevin Shattenkirk led the way offensively with a goal and assist for the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night en route to a 4-0 victory over his former team, the Colorado Avalanche.

Game Day: Exhibition vs. USA U-18

Tonight the #10/11 Terriers will play host to the USA Under 18 team in an exhibition matchup at Agganis Arena. BU last faced the U-18 team in October of 2009, in a game that saw the raising of banners in celebration of the 2008-09 NCAA championship. The Terriers have won the previous two games by 3-2 scores.

Of particular interest will be the play of two Boston University recruits, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (pictured) and forward Matthew Lane, expected in 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The game is slated to start at 7 pm, and can be seen on BU All-Access (subscription).

TONIGHT'S LINEUP
Megan-Connolly-Chiasson
Nieto-Gill-Rodrigues
Courtnall-Hohmann-Cisse
Gaudet-Santana-Gilory
Nicastro-MacGregor
Noonan-Privitera
Escobedo-Ruikka
Rollheiser

● GoTerriers.com preview, WTBU, game-tracker
● Hockey East live scoreboard

Looking ahead
In last month’s Kasabuski Christmas Classic, 2013 recruit Brendan Collier scored four goals in Malden Catholic’s 8-1 thumping of Bishop Fenwick in the semifinals. The next night in the championship game, the BU- bound Malden Catholic captain added a goal and an assist in a 4-3 overtime win against St. Mary’s of Lynn.

2013 recruit Sam Kurker scored twice and added an assist in St. John’s Prep’s 5-3 loss to BC High.

Looking back
Once again Chris Bourque found the scoresheet against Adirondack, this time netting a goal and assist in a 5-2 win for Hershey Saturday night.

One former BU captain in Sean Sullivan scored a goal for Worcester assisted by another, John McCarthy, but they fell 5-2 to Colby Cohen and the Providence Bruins.

Eric Gryba assisted on a 3rd period tying goal for Binghamton, but they ultimately fell, 3-2 to Rochester.

Defenseman Bryan Miller scored his sixth goal of the season in Alaska’s 2-1 shootout win over Utah. Miller, who has averaged 40 points for each of the past three seasons, has 27 points in 36 games for the Aces.

Pete MacArthur’s five-point night—2 goals, 3 assists—led the Las Vegas Outlaws to a 7-4 win over Colorado in ECHL action. MacArthur’s second goal—and 10th of the season—was the game-winner. He has 28 points in 21 games.

Terriers double-up Warriors, 4-2--UPDATED

Three first-period goals and sharp goaltending by senior netminder Kieran Millan put the Terriers in the win column for their first outing of 2012 with a 4-2 win against Merrimack. After the Warriors drew first blood early in the opening period, BU struck twice inside of a minute. Justin Courtnall converted his own rebound in close after a Cason Hohmann entry pass. Then, on a power play, captain Chris Connolly found Alex Chiasson for a redirect. BU scored on another man-advantage late in the period when Matt Nieto’s pass connected with Alexx Privitera streaking in from the point to score his second goal of the season and stretch the lead to 3-1.

Merrimack narrowed the margin to one with a power play marker, but Sahir Gill’s one-timer off a Max Nicastro pass restored the two-goal edge. Merrimack turned up the pressure in the final period, but Millan turned aside all 20 shots (and 42 for the game).

For the Terriers it was their 8th win in the 10 games since a tough 3-2 overtime loss to the Warriors in early November.

The win also slides BU into first place in Hockey East, a point ahead of BC, although the Eagles, who play at Merrimack Sunday, have a game in hand.

►A visitor to Agganis Arena—and Bernie Corbett’s on-air guest between the second and third periods—was former Terrier Dave Tomlinson. “Sniper,” who later played 15 years of professional hockey in the NHL and in Europe, is in his second season as color analyst on Vancouver Canuck radio broadcasts. Last winter, Tomlinson did a Q&A interview with The Terrier Hockey Fan Blog.

● Go Terriers.com recap and comprehensive box score
● Video highlights
● Post game comments (video): Parker, Chiasson/Gill
● Boston Hockey Blog recap
● USCHO recap
● CHN’s Takeaway
● WTBU Sports recap
● Boston Herald recap
● Boston Globe recap

Looking ahead
2012 recruit Sean Maguire stopped 30 shots and earned first-star honors in Powell River’s 3-1 win against Surrey.

2012 recruit Mike Moran scored the game-winner (his 4th GWG and 18th goal overall) in a 4-3 Victoria win against Vernon. 2012 recruit Wesley Myron assisted on Moran’s goal and also scored his 17th goal of the season.

2012 recruit Matthew O’Connor stopped 21 of 22 shots in Youngstown’s 7-3 win against Muskegon, earning his 15th win of the season.

2012 recruit Robert Polesello assisted on the game-winner in Indiana’s 3-2 win against Waterloo.

Looking back
David Van der Gulik scored his first goal of the season—and second career NHL goal—in Colorado’s 4-0 shutout of Chicago.

Chris Bourque had a hand in all three Hershey goals, scoring once (his 19th) and assisting on two, but the Bears fell, 4-3, to Adirondack.

Dave Warsofsky assisted on the game-winning goal in Providence's 4-1 win over Portland.

John McCarthy scored his ninth goal of the season in Worcester's 4-3 loss to Springfield.

Game Day: BU vs. Merrimack

#10/11 Terriers resume conference play tonight hosting #7/6 Merrimack at Agganis Arena in a 7 p.m. start. This is the teams’ second meeting of the season. On Nov. 11, BU lost a hard-fought game to the Warriors, 3-2 in overtime (video), when a highly questionable penalty call in the final minutes of regulation gave the ‘Mack a power play during which it tied the game.

BU welcomes Adam Clendening back into the lineup after spend two weeks with the U.S. Junior National Team at the World Junior Championships. Junior Ryan Ruika will sit out tonight for BU. On the forward lines, Chris Connolly will move to center on BU’s top line, with Wade Megan and Alex Chiasson, while Sahir Gill becomes the second line pivot with wingers Matt Nieto and Evan Rodrigues. Yasin Cissé is right wing on the third line with Cason Hohmman and Justin Courtnall. Ryan Santana, recovered from a shoulder injury, makes his first start of the season.

Tonight's lineup

Megan-Connolly-Chiasson
Nieto-Gill-Rodrigues
Courtnall-Hohmann-Cissé
Gaudet-Rosen-Santana
Noonan-Privitera
Nicastro-MacGregor
Escobedo- CLendening
Milan

Tonight’s game is Web accessible on BU All-Access (subscription).

BU has a second game this weekend, an exhibition Sunday night against the U.S. NTDP U18s, giving Terrier fans a look at a pair of future Terriers: 2012 recruit Matthew Lane, a forward, and 2013 recruit, Matt Grzelcyk, a defenseman.

►USCHO’s Jim Connelly found a bright spot for BU in the Terriers’ loss to Notre Dame last Saturday. In his This Week in Hockey East column, he wrote:

Though the Terriers lost 5-2 to Notre Dame on New Year’s Eve, it seemed that Sahir Gill (photo) was auditioning to become the team’s most potent scorer. Gill played like a man possessed, certainly one of the best offensive players on the ice for the Terriers.

● GoTerriers.com preview, gametracker, All-Access Webcast, WWZN Radio Webcast.
● Boston Hockey Blog preview and Parker comments about injured Minnesota prep player.
● Boston Hockey Blog live in-game blog

● Warrior Rink Rat preview/tale of the tape

● Hockey East Online live scoreboard
● College Hockey News Tale of the Tape, Tweetcast

►Inside BU Hockey-Episode 11- features Bernie Corbett’s interview with Coach Jack Parker, assistant captain Justin Courtnall and Jacques Joubert, captain of BU’s 1994-95 national championship team, who scored the game-winner in the title game against Maine, 6-2 (video).

Looking ahead
2012 recruit Robert Polesello and 2013 recruit Robbie Baillargeon, both currently with the Indiana Ice, have been selected to play in the USHL Prospects Game . The game, set for Jan. 24 in Muskegon, showcases the top USHL players eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

2012 recruit Matthew O’Connor stopped 19 shots in regulation and three more in the shootout as Youngstown edged Muskegon, 4-3, in USHL action. O’Connor now has 14 wins, second best in the USHL, to go with a 2.57 GAA.

It’ll be a Three Future-Dog Night in Vernon, B.C. at the Vipers hosts the Victoria Grizzlies. Vernon D-man Marc Hetnik, Jr., will likely find himself defending against his future teammates, Wesley Myron and Mike Moran, two of the Grizzlies top-scoring forwards. All three are 2012 recruits.
● Victoria Chamber of Commerce feature on Myron and teammate Wade Murphy, a Merrimack recruit.

Looking back
Former Terrier Mark Bavis, killed aboard United Flight 175 in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, had his jersey number retired by the Hyde Park Youth league yesterday at Bajko Rink in Hyde Park.. The ceremony preceded the annual Mark Bavis Memorial Cup game in which Catholic Memorial, Bavis’ alma mater, defeated Xaverian, 4-0.

Sports Illustrated’s Pierre Maguire, evaluating the trade last season that sent Kevin Shattenkirk from Colorado to St. Louis, notes that “most scouts and coaches view the 22-year-old Shattenkirk as perhaps the best player in the deal and a key force for the Blues going forward.”

Former BU co-captain Joe Pereira scored for the South Carolina Stingrays in a 6-3 loss to the Florida Everblades.

Wednesday Linkorama

● National polls: Following the loss to Notre Dame, Terriers fell in both polls--to 10th in USCHO and 11th in USA Today.
●USCHO Weekly Hockey East blog
●CHN Hockey East Power Rankings

World Junior Championships
Team USA won its relegation round semi-final game against Latvia, 12-2 at the World Junior Championships. Adam Clendening scored his first goal of the tournament and added an assist. The U.S. plays Switzerland today for seventh place in the event.
● United States of Hockey recap, preview of Switzerland game

Looking ahead
2012 recruit Marc Hetnik, Jr., is the current featured profile on Vernon Vipers TV. Like current Terrier Garrett Noonan, Hetnik followed up his career at Catholic Memorial with a year in the BCHL on the Vipers' blueline.


Looking back
The annual Mark Bavis Memorial Cup game will be played tomorrow. This year's game matches Bavis' alma mater, Catholic Memorial and Xaverian.

Terrier Trivia
Ten days ago we posted six trivia questions about the 1978 BU national championship team. The answers:
1. John Melanson refereed in the ECAC for 21 years.
2. Four transfers were Dick Lamby (Salem State), Scott Nieland (North Dakota) John Corriveau (UNH) and Jim Craig (Massasoit Community College).
3. Six who played in the NHL: Lamby, Craig, Jack O'Callahan, Dave Silk, John Bethel, Paul Miller.
4. Post-9/11 rescue and recovery: Darryl McLeod.
5. Four U.S. Olympians: Lamby, Craig, O'Callahan, Silk
6. Two NCAA coaches: Brian Durocher (BU Women), Bill O'Neill (Salem State)

No luck against the Irish

Terriers fell to Notre Dame, 5-2 in an uneven effort marked by defensive lapses and turnovers. Assistant captain Justin Courtnall (photo) gave BU it’s only lead of the night late in the opening period converting a rebound after Cason Hohmann had put a shot on goal right from the draw in the faceoff circle.

The game turned early in the second period when Notre Dame scored three times in the first seven minutes, tying the score on a power play, then extending the lead to 3-1, despite a two-period shot advantage of 23-15 for BU. In the final period, Notre Dame outshot the Terriers19 to nine, adding two more goals before junior Wade Megan’s shorthanded goal closed out the scoring.

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score
● The Boston Blog recap; analysis
Post game comments: Jack Parker; Megan/Chris Connolly
● Video highlights

Looking ahead
2012 recruit Robert Polesello scored a power play goal and 2013 recruit Robbie Baillargeon added two assists in Indiana's 3-0 win against Youngstown, whose goalie, 2012 recruit Matt O'Connor, stopped 29 shots. Polesello's goal was his sixth of the season to go with eight assists.

Delivering a second strong effort in three nights, 2012 goalie recruit Sean Maguire stopped 26 shots in Powell River's 5-1 win against Alberni Valley.

Looking back
Former BU blueliner Colby Cohen's slapshot produced the Providence Bruins' only goal in a 2-1 loss to the Manchester Monarchs.

Former Terrier Chris O’Sullivan—a second team All-American and high-scoring forward on BU’s 1995 national champions—is a member of the Boston Police Department hockey team that beat the Philadelphia P.D. 9-2 in a Winter Classic game at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday. O’Sullivan, who played 62 NHL games and now is an Islanders scout, helped the BPD will a silver medal at the World Police & Fire Games in San Jose this past September.

World Junior Championships
Team USA dropped a 3-2 decision to Canada on Saturday as preliminary round play came to an end. After Canada established a 3-0 lead, Charlie Coyle scored his fourth goal of the tournament to initiate a U.S. comeback that fell a goal short.

Game Day: BU vs. Notre Dame--UPDATED

#9 Terriers get the second semester under way tonight with nationally televised game (Versus) again #5/6Notre Dame at the Fighting Irish’s new Compton Family Ice Arena. Game time is 7 p.m. ET.

With the departures of Charlie Coyle and Corey Trivino, BU’s lineup will have a new look. Sophomore Sahir Gill (photo) will center the top line between captain Chris Connolly and red-shirt freshman Yasin Cissé. Junior Wade Megan, enjoying his best season as a Terrier, moves up as pivot on the second line between Matt Nieto and Alex Chiasson.

The third line is the only unit remaining intact from BU’s last game (5-1 win against Maine) with Cason Hohmann centering assistant captain Justin Courtnall and Evan Rodriguez. Senior Kevin Gilroy returns to the fourth unit with Ben Rosen and Ross Gaudet.

Since Adam Clendening is playing in the World Junior Championships, the blueline pairings have changed as well. Sophomore Garrett Noonan will skate with freshman Alex Privitera, while Max Nicastro-Ryan Ruikka and Sean Escobedo-Patrick MacGregor are the other pairings.

Senior Kieran Millan gets the start in goal for BU, which has won seven of its past eight games.

12/28/2717/18/919/23/2622/8/167/213/621/4Millan in goal
Notre Dame also will be shorthanded as top scorer T.J. Tynan and heavy-hitting defenseman Stephen Johns are with Clendening on Team USA at the WJCs. Sophomore’s Anders Lee and Riley Sheehan have 20 and 18 points respectively for Notre Dame.

The game mark’s BU’s first visit to South Bend, but not the Terrier program’s first connection with that Indiana city. Jacques Joubert, captain of the 1995 national championship team, is from South Bend.

The teams first met 41 years ago in the championship game of the 1970 Boston Arena Christmas Tournament, a 7-3 Terrier victory with BU's Ric Jordan being named tournament MVP. The most recent meeting was last season’s 3-3 tie in the consolation game of the Shillelagh Tournament.

● GoTerriers.com preview, game notes, WWZN Radio Webcast, game tracker
● CHN’s Tale of the Tape, Tweetcast
● Boston Hockey Blog preview, Parker interview on Coyle departure, live blog
● NHL.com preview
● Hockey East live scoreboard
● Notre Dame Athletics game notes
● South Bend Tribune preview
● WTBU Sports first-semester awards: MVP, unsung hero, top rookie
● New England Hockey Journal regional power rankings

Inside BU Hockey-Episode 10- features Bernie Corbett's interviews with head coach Jack Parker, junior blueliner Sean Escobedo and former All-American Mike Grier, who recently retired after a 14-year NHL career. Grier talks about the 1995 NCAA championship team and explains how Terrier strength and conditioning coach Mike Boyle made a xxxxx impact on career at BU and in the NHL.

During the break, Boyle was hired as conditioning coach for the Boston Red Sox, but Parker told The Boston Hockey Blog that “Boyle’s new duties over on Yawkey Way will not steal him away from the BU hockey program.”

Looking ahead
2012 recruit Sean Maguire stopped 29 shots in Powell River’s 2-1 loss to Coquitlam in BCHL action. Maguire earned the game’s third star.

Defenseman Marc Hetnik,Jr., also a 2012 recruit, picked up an assist, his eighth of the year, in Vernon’s 7-4 loss to Silver Arm.

2012 recruit Robert Polesello's recorded his eighth assist of the season in Indiana's 5-2 win against Youngstown.

World Junior Championships
Team USA dropped its second consecutive game, 5-2, to the Czech Republic, despite taking 52 shots and hitting iron three times. The Czechs scored three goals in the final period.
● USA Hockey recap
● United States of Hockey recap
● USCHO recap

Break's over

The #9 Terriers resume play this weekend, ringing in the New Year Saturday evening in South Bend, Indiana, where they’ll meet #5 Notre Dame. The game will air nationally at 7 p.m. ET on Versus (which changes its moniker to NBC Sports Network on Jan. 1). Look for our usual Game Day post on Saturday.

● USCHO: Hockey East game picks and What teams need to do in 2nd half
● Hockey East Online's weekly release
● New England Hockey Journal's first half Hockey East grades

World Junior Championships
Team USA was jolted by Finland, 4-1, in its second preliminary game. Charlie Coyle assisted on the U.S.’s only goal. Next up is the Czech Republic on Friday at 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time. NHL Network will air the game.
● USA Hockey recap
● United States of Hockey recap

Looking ahead
2013 recruit Robbie Baillargeon scored his 11th goal-- a snap-shot from the left circle that banged in off the crossbar-- in Indiana’s 3-2 win against Muskegon. He has goals in three straight games and eight points in the past five games.

2012 recruit Matt O’Connor stopped 41 shots in Youngstown’s 2-1 shootout loss to Cedar Rapids.

Looking back
Colin Wilson’s shootout goal (photo credit AP/Mike Strasinger) proved to be the difference in Nashville’s 2-1 win against Minnesota.
● Knoxville News-Sentinel recap

Former Terrier Luke Popko's power play goal was the game-winner for the Bloomington Blazers in a 4-3 win against Fort Wayne on Tuesday. In 15 CHL games, Popko has a 5-3-8 scoring line.

Wednesday Linkorama

World Junior Championships
Team USA vs. Finland is underway, airing on NHL Network
● United States of Hockey preview and Denmark game review
● USA Today preview
● Edmonton Journal feature on Charlie Coyle
● USA feature
● NHL.com feature on Team USA’s preparation

Looking ahead
The Grizz Roar Blog issues its midseason awards for the Victoria Grizzlies with 2012 recruit Wesley Myron named MVP and 2012 recruit Mike Moran named top newcomer.

Coyle hattrick leads rout of Denmark

Charlie Coyle scored the first and last goals with one more in between to power Team USA’s 11-3 thumping of Denmark in a World Junior Championships preliminary round game. He continues to wield a hot stick, having also scored three goals in the final two exhibition games. Sophomore defenseman Adam Clendening produced another strong effort for Team USA with a pair of assists. Next up for the U.S. is a Wednesday meeting with Finland. (photo credit, Andy Devlin, IIHF)

● USA Hockey recap
● United States of Hockey recap
● USCHO recap
● IIHF recap

►College Hockey News began a two-part review of the Hockey East’s first half.

►For the fall semester, BU ranks 11th among all Division 1 schools and second in Hockey East in home ice attendance, averaging 5,296.

Looking back
Former Terrier Keith Tkachuk was inducted to the Phoenix Coyotes Ring of Honor this past Friday during the Coyotes game with St. Louis. Tkachuk was drafted No. 19 overall in 1990 by the Winnipeg Jets, who moved to Phoenix in 1996. He scored 179 goals in 332 games in five seasons with the Coyotes before his trade to the Blues in 2001. “Captain Coyote” led the NHL in goal-scoring 1996-97 and had two 50-goal seasons.
●NHL.com video of induction and career highlights
●AZ Central feature on Tkachuk

David Van der Gulik assisted on a pair of Avs goals in Colorado’s 4-2 win over the Wild.

World Junior Championships begin today

Team U.S.A. begins its quest for an IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal with its first preliminary round game tonight against Denmark in Camrose, Alberta. Gametime is 6 p.m. Mountain Time, 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The contest will air live on The NHL Network. Both Adam Clendening and Charlie Coyle are expected to play key roles for Team USA

Last year, the U.S. lost to Canada in the semifinals but took home a bronze medal. Two years ago, Team USA won its second-ever gold medal with a squad that included former Terrier defenseman David Warsofsky.

● USA Hockey: Game Day information, Team USA schedule, WJC Blog and online media guide
● IIHF WJC homepage
● Chris Peters’ USA-Denmark game preview
● USCHO feature
● Buffalo News feature on Clendening
● The Hockey Writers: Five Players to Watch (Coyle)
● HockeysFuture.com USA preview
● WJC beginners guide
● NHL Network extends contract with USA Hockey

Looking back
Matt Gilroy wasn’t the first Terrier to go from walk-on to team captain and then reach the NHL. Born in Connecticut, but raised in Maine, Doug Friedman developed into a 40-point scorer for the 1992-93 team, and then led the '93-'94 squad to a 34-7 record and the NCAA Frozen Four. He went on to play for Edmonton and Nashville in the NHL as well as several AHL clubs. He’s now an assistant coach for the Junior Maine Mariners for whom his 12-year-old son, Jaxon, is a goalie. Both are headed to Sweden for the Nicklas Lidstrom Cup tournament this week. Friedman recalls his own trip to play hockey in Sweden in 1983.

Clendening and Coyle pace U.S. exhibition win against Slovakia

Charlie Coyle scored twice and Adam Clendening assisted on two goals in Team USA’s 5-0 shutout of Slovakia in its final exhibition game prior to the World Junior Championships. The pair combined to put the US on the board in the game’s first minute when Coyle tipped home Clendening’s slapper. The late in the first period, Brandon Saad redirected a Clendening pass. Coyle closed out the scoring with an even-strength goal midway through the second period.
●USA Hockey recap

Looking back
College Hockey Weekly continues to unveil its ranking of the top 25 greatest NCAA hockey teams of all times. Two of BU’s national championship teams had previously been named to the list: the 1994-1995 title team was #25 and BU’s first championship squad, 1970-1971, was #24. Now, the first of the three title teams coached by Jack Parker, 1977-1978, has been pegged #11.
● College Hockey Weekly feature on the ’77-’78 team
● THFB Terrier Tale: That Championship Season

Terrier Trivia
The 1977-78 team (roster), which won its first 21 games en route to a 30-2-0 record, scored 199 goals with Mark Fidler and John Bethel leading the way with 30 and 25 respectively. Here is a six-pack of trivia questions about this squad, the only one in Terrier history to play and beat arch-rival Boston College for a national championship:

► Which team member refereed in the ECAC for 21 years?
► Who were the four team members who transferred to from other colleges? Name the colleges.
► Which six played in the NHL?
► Which team member was involved in the post 9-11 rescue and recovery effort at The World Trade Center?
► Which four played for Team USA in the Olympics?
► Which two are head coaches of NCAA college hockey teams?
Post your answers as comments. We'll post the answers latter in the week.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY CHANUKAH, TERRIER FANS

Walk-on adds depth at forward

The Boston Hockey Blog reports that BU will add walk-on, Jake Moscatel, to bolster depth at forward follow two roster departures last week. Moscatel, a 6-1, 210, forward, enrolled at BU a year ago after spend a year and half at Division III University of New England, where he scored seven goals and six assists in his first season with the Nor'Easters.

Previously he skated for The Belmont Hill School, where he was a two-time ISL all-league selection, and the EJHL Boston Junior Bruins. Since his transfer to BU, Moscatel has played for the Terrier club team and becomes the second former club player to join the varsity. The other is sophomore goalie Anthony Moccia.

With the addition of Moscatel and junior Ryan Santana's recovery from an injury that sidelined him all of first semester, BU will have 14 forwards as it resumes its schedule on December 31 with a game at Notre Dame.

In search of WJC gold

Sophomore defenseman Adam Clendening and former BU forward Charlie Coyle have been named to the final roster of the U.S. Junior National Team that will compete in the World Junior Championships in Camrose, Alberta, beginning Monday. Coyle (photo) was among the top scorers for the U.S. team last year, while Clendening was among the final players cut last year.

The United State of Hockey has thumbnails on the goalies and defenseman and also for forwards. More coverage from Camrose:

● Slam Sports: US’s Clendening one tough nut
● USA Hockey recap of 7-3 exhibition win over Switzland in which Coyle scored on a deflection.
● USCHO’s WJC page including schedule
● GoTerriers.com coverage

Looking ahead
2013 recruit Danny O’Regan, captain of St. Sebastian’s, earned kudos from ESPN Boston for his play in the Arrows’ 2-1 loss to Catholic Memorial.

So is Danny O’Regan [the real deal]: While the youngsters grab more of the attention, let’s not forget about the senior captain, who’s scheduled to join a deep local class headed to Comm Ave. and join BU hockey in 2013. There was no better example of the hockey IQ he possesses than during a crucial point of the third period. With time winding down, O’Regan skated to a loose puck along the half wing boards. Then using his body, he shielded the puck from two on- coming CM defenders, creating a mismatch, before shoveling a nice saucer pass along the blue line for a shot from the point. It’s all those little things that help make good hockey teams and hockey players.

Looking back
Brian Strait, who saw his first game action at Wilkes Barre Scranton since recovering from an injury, has been recalled by Pittsburgh and is expected to be in the lineup tomorrow night in Winnipeg.

Former BU co-captain John McCarthy scored his sixth goal of the season, assisted by former BU captain Sean Sullivan, in Worcester’s 6-3 loss to Springfield.

Bryan Miller scored a power play goal (his fourth of the season) late in the third period to bring Alaska even with Idaho at 3-3, but the Aces lost in the shootout to the Steelheads, 4-3.
Miller has a 4-13-17 line for Alaska

Ryan Weston scored a power play goal (sixth of the season) for Las Vegas in a 4-3 loss to Utah. Weston has a 6-12-18 line for the season.

Clendening clears the air

In the wake of Corey Trivino’s dismissal and Charlie Coyle’s departure to play major junior in Quebec, rumors began flying that a third player, Adam Clendening, might also leave the BU program following the World Junior Championships in Camrose. College Hockey News’ writer Scott McLaughlin contacted Clendening who emphatically insisted he’s returning to Agganis Arena for second semester. Full article including Q&A.

The decision by the Carolina Hurricanes not to release Justin Faulk to the U.S. team for the WJCs further enhances Clendening’s chances of making the final roster, according United States of Hockey editor Chris Peters, who says:

This recent development could also be good news for Adam Clendening, who is undoubtedly the best puck mover among Team USA’s candidates. With Faulk out of the picture, Clendening could play more of a key role on Team USA’s power play in Alberta. His puck-moving skills just got a heck of a lot more indispensable.

● The Pipeline Show tweeted that Coyle has been skating on a line with Denver’s Jason Zucker and WHL forward Emerson Etem: “Some awesome potential in that trio.”

● More news on final tryouts at the U.S. Junior National Team camp from the Western Hockey Blog

● Team USA plays an exhibition against Russia tonight.

The NHL Network will broadcast all of Team USA’s game in the WJCS, all medal round games and five additional preliminary round games. . USA Hockey extended its contract with The NHL Network through 2018.

● Team USA Schedule

Looking ahead
2013 recruit Sam Kurker scored both goals for St. John’s Prep in a 2-1 win against Hingham. The right-shot power forward, who played for the U.S. Select U18 team, this past summer has five goals in his first two games this season.

Looking back
Defenseman and former BU assistant captain Brian Strait, who suffered a hyper-extended elbow on October 18 in his first NHL game of the season, has returned to the ice, skating in Wilkes Barre/Scranton’s 2-1 loss to Albany. He spoke with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the injury, his recovery, and hopes to have another opportunity in Pittsburgh in the near future.

Former Terrier standout Nick Bonino, recalled to Anaheim from the AHL, scored his second career NHL goal on a deflection in the Ducks’ 5-3 loss to Dallas.