Goals a-plenty in Providence

The Terriers continued to fill opponents’ nets with pucks, throttling Providence College, 8-2. The lop-sided win gave BU a short-lived visit to first place in Hockey East, inching ahead of Northeastern...for about an hour. The Huskies trailed BC in their game, 1-0, until tying it up with less than half a minute in regulation. They completed the comeback win in overtime, so BU remains a point behind with each team having one regular season game left to play.

Playing in Schneider Arena, BU waited nearly ten minutes to get its offense untracked and then turned on the red light four times before the end of the period. The Terriers added a pair in each of the next two periods. BU’s second line did most of the damage. Nick Bonino scored twice and added three assists, while Brandon Yip (photo) registered BU’s third hattrick in seven games. John McCarthy chipped in with a goal and two assists. Jason Lawrence and Zach Cohen also found the back of the net.

We have recaps from GoTerriers.com, USCHO, The Boston Globe, and the Providence Journal, along with a comprehensive boxscore and Brian Kelley’s in-game blog.

►The win extends the Terriers’ nation’s-best unbeaten streak to 15 games (12-0-3) and brings their overall record 26-5-4—the team’s most wins since 1997-98. BU's only loss since Thanksgiving came at the hands of the Friars in January, 4=2. If BU wins Sunday's finale, the Terriers will have won every season series against Hockey East opponent, with the exception of Vermont.

►Lawrence’ goal was his 21st, Yip’s trio bring him to 16 and Bonino’s pair give him 15. Colin Wilson's two assists give him a team-leading 46 points. He's second in the nation in points per game and second in assists (32)

►Bernie Corbett noted on All-Access that Yip's parents are visiting from British Columbia and that always seems to result in Yip putting a puck past a goalie. The senior wing's third goal of the game was his 100th career point, making him the second Terrier to reach the century mark this season. Chris Higgins, who assisted on Lawrence's goal and now has 121 points, was the other one. Yip now has at least one point in his last 11 games.

►McCarthy became the 10th Terrier to hit 20 points or more this season.

►Zach Cohen’s scored the game-winner, his eighth goal of the season. His 11 points are two more than his previous two seasons combined.

►The win brought goal Kieran Millan’s record to 21-1-3 in 26 starts with a 1.77 goals against average and a .925 save percentage. His only loss came back on Nov. 22 against Vermont.

Game Day--BU takes on the Friars

It's the final weekend of the regular season and top-ranked BU is still seeking to catch Northeastern which has a one-point lead for first place in Hockey East. The Terriers play a home-and-home series with the Providence College Friars, the last team to defeat BU--back on January 13, by a 4-2 score. Since then, BU has gone 11-0-3 in 14 games.

Junior defenseman Brian Strait will miss the weekend series with a sprained knee, suffered last week against UMass. Senior Steve Smolinsky, who filled in ably for Kevin Shattenkirk during the Denver Cup tournament in January, gets the call to replace Strait. Kieran Millan will be in goal for BU.

If BU and Northeastern, which plays Boston College this weekend, end up tied, BU will earn the top seed for the conference tournament (current standings) because it owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Huskies. The second game in the weekend series with the Friars is Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. By then, BU will know whether it can catch the Huskies for the conference crown.

We have game and conference previews from The Boston Globe, USCHO, and Hockey East Online, which also has prepared a rundown of playoff possibilities and tiebreakers. GoTerriers.com provides links to game notes, game tracker and the audio Web cast from Schneider Arena tonight. From College Hockey News, there's a statistical comparison of the teams and links to recent games in the Terriers-Friars series.

Sports Information Director Brian Kelley will provide a live, in-game blog throughout tonight's game. The link is here.

The Daily Free Press focuses on how standout seasons by BU's two Hobey Baker Award candidates, Colin Wilson and Matt Gilroy, in its game preview article.

In his weekly column, INCH's Jeff Howe recounts how Hockey East, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, established with BU Coach Jack Parker relating much of the intrigue that surround the departure of five teams from the ECAC in 1984. A very good read.

USCHO's latest cut at bracketology for the NCAA tournament has the Terriers in the Manchester Regional meeting Bemidji State with UNH vs. Cornell completing that regional.

The Hockey News' annual top prospects issue is out, listing the top ten prospects for each NHL team. The Colorado Avs' list includes three Terriers: #1 Shattenkirk, #6 Colby Cohen and #10 Brandon Yip. We'll post more of these lists as they become available. The issue includes a feature article on BU co-captain Matt Gilroy.

Hobey Baker Watch

The initial stages of choosing the 2009 Hobey Baker Award winner are underway and Terriers Colin Wilson and co-captain Matt Gilroy are likely candidates to be among the ten finalists. The ballots of 58 Division 1 coaches—and to a minor degree, the fan vote—will decide the winner. BU Sports Information has produced files summarizing Wilson’s and Gilroy’s achievements thus far this season.

Gilroy, along with BU women’s team standout goalie Alyson Wilcox, have been named to participate in the skills competition at the 2009 NCAA Frozen Four in Washington D.C. next month.

The draft rights to sophomore center Nick Bonino were traded by the San Jose Sharks to the Anaheim Ducks as part of a four-player deal, just prior to the NHL trade deadline. Bonino, who has a 13-24-37 scoring line, recently was named MVP of the Beanpot and Hockey East’s Player of the Month of February. Last month, hockeysfuture.com named him a Sharks’ top NCAA prospect.

If you’d like to learn more about the factors that go into the Pairwise rankings, check these two sites. CHN’s Pairwise Primer and a listing of the Terriers' comparisons with other school that contribute to their Pairwise points. USCHO's latest bracketology shows BU as the top seed, playing in the Manchester, N.H., regional.

Looking back

BU's only Hobey Baker Award winner, Chris Drury (video) scored his 17th goal and added an assist in the Rangers' 4-2 win over the Islanders Thursday night.

David Van der Gulik, called up to Calgary over the past weekend, scored his first NHL point, a primary assist (video), in the Flames 6-3 win over Ottawa. Ex-Terrier blueline Adrian Aucoin also had a assist.

Former Terrier captain Carl Corazzini, recently traded from Springfield to Peoria, discussed his future plans with the Peoria Journal Star. The 2001 second team All-American forward, who has played 12 NHL games, says this is his final AHL season, but would like to play a few more years in Europe.

Former All-Hockey East defenseman Bryan Miller, in his second year with the ECHL Alaska Aces, was called up to the AHL Providence Bruins. Miller who was the Aces’ sixth leading scorer, will join ex-Terrier Kevin Schaeffer, his teammate at BU for two season, on the Bruins’ blueline.

Defenseman Dan Spang scored his fourth assist in five games since joining the Syracuse Crunch in a 3-2 loss to Hamilton.

Boomer Ewing scored his 36th goal for the ECHL Wheeling Nailer in a 3-2 win against Trenton over the weekend. Ewing, who is second in scoring in the ECHL with 72 points, subsequently was recalled to the Penguins AHL team in Scranton Wilkes Barre where he suited up last night in the Baby Pens 3-1 win over Binghamton. Goalie John Curry picked up his 24th win , equalling his 2007-08 total.

Kudos and Polls

Senior Jason Lawrence earned Hockey East's Player of the Week award for his four goal, one assist performance against UMass, including a natural hattrick during Friday's comeback win. Lawrence, who also won POTW honors for the week of Oct. 27, finished the month of February with nine goals. Also noted in the HockeyEast Online Weekly Release:

►Saturday's, 7-2 win was the Terriers' 25th of the regular season, a milestone last achieved during the 1997-98 campaign.

►BU’s penalty kill had been successful 24 straight times before UMass ended the streak in the closing minutes of Saturday’s game

►Freshman goaltender Kieran Millan is undefeated in his last 18 decisions (15-0-3).

►BU has lost only three of the 10 games this season in which its opponent scored first.

Bravo Bonino
Nick Bonino got the nod as Hockey East's Player of the Month for February, after scoring 14 points (6g,8a) to lead BU to an undefeated month (6-0-3). A +9 for the month, he scored at in eight of the nine games, tallying multiple points in five contests. The sophomore center's MVP performance in the Beanpot had earned him the conference's Player of the Week award for the week of Feb. 9.

Poll Story
BU solidified its first place ranking in the USCHO/CBS College Sports poll, taking 44 first place votes to 6 for Notre Dame. In the USA Today poll, the Terriers regained the top spot from the Fighting Irish.


But the polls are just the beauty pageant. Far more important, the RPI and Pairwise rankings are indicators of how the NCAA tournament seedings will play out. The Terriers remain at the top of each of those charts too.

College Hockey News' Adam Wodon offered a startling comment on the Terrier's current RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) numbers:

BU's RPI is so good, and Record vs. TUCs so much better than anyone else, that I really think at this point it could lose the next four games and still be the No. 1 overall seed. None of those four games are going to be against TUCs, and even if the Terriers' RPI slips below one of the teams below them (Notre Dame, Michigan, Denver), the other criteria are strong enough to win those comparisons.

Hockey East 25th Anniversary Honorees
Sunday we posted the names of the Terriers honored between the first and second period of Saturday's game. They included Terriers named to yearly all-HE teams and all-rookie teams, a 20-man BU 25th anniversary team, and the top Terrier goalie, forward and defenseman in HE play, along with the best individual performance. All those honorees are featured on a printable commemorative sheet, prepared by the BU athletics department, that also includes the names of assistant coaches and longtime program support staff during those 25 years.

►Boston Herald college hockey writer Jim Connolly describes how Terriers top scorer--and Hobey Baker award candidate--Colin Wilson has elevated his level of play this season.

Looking ahead--Wade Megan and Charlie Coyle

BU recruit Wade Megan (photo) may be lacing ‘em up at Agganis Arena a bit sooner than originally planned.

The 6-1, 180 left shot forward from Canton, N.Y., is having a standout senior year at South Kent School. As of this past Friday, he was the leading scorer in New England Division 1 prep hockey with 27-36-63 in 30 games. Those numbers earned him a spot on the NEPSIHA Prep-West First Team. He centers the SKS top line, often skating with Joe Pereira’s brother, Mike, a UMass recruit and Jeff Silengo, a UNH recruit. As a junior, he posted a 24-29-53 line in 36 games.

U.S Hockey Report says Megan “is difficult to knock off the puck and can finish, too,” while an NHL scout compared his “hands, head and puck skills” to Terrier sophomore Nick Bonino's, noting that Megan also needs to improve his strength and skating. He was ranked #130 in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings.

When Megan committed to BU this past summer, the plan was for him to spend a season in the USHL and arrive at BU in 2010. Now, a source familiar with the situation says that Megan will likely join BU’s 2009 recruit class, which currently has two other forwards, RW Alex Chiasson of Des Moines (USHL) and LW Justin Courntall of Victoria (BCHL), and one defenseman, Max Nicastro of Chicago (USHL).

BU 2011 recruit, Thayer Academy wing Charlie Coyle is having a strong sophomore season, leading his team in scoring with an 18-19-37 line in 26 games. Thayer is struggling this season, but according to one observer, Coyle is an excellent skater who “created a lot of opportunities even without much help from his teammates.” Coyle, who is a cousin of former BU and NHL standout Tony Amonte, will be participating in the Spring Beantown Classic, March 18-20, at NESC in Marlborough, Mass.

Terriers flex offensive muscle again

After playing three low-scoring ties with Maine and Northeastern (twice), BU completed its domination of UMass with a 7-2 win last night at Agganis Arena. Thirteen Terrier skaters had a hand in the scoring with Nick Bonino being the only multi-goal scorer. UMass scored first when a Terrier defender fell down, but Corey Trivino’s third goal of the season less than a minute later tied the score.

As in Friday’s win in Amherst, the Terriers scored three times in the second and three times in the final period to seal the one-sided win, with three power play markers. Bonino’s first came off a perfect cross-ice pass from Brandon Yip and his second on a wraparound. Early in the third period, Bonino won an offensive zone draw back to Yip who one-timed a laser past beleaguered UMass goalie Paul Dainton. Junior Eric Gryba (photo), who assisted on BU’s final goal, was “immense” on defense, according to Coach Jack Parker. Kieran Millan, pulled from Friday night's game, was strong in the Terrier net, especially early on when UMass has numerous grade A scoring opportunities.

We have recaps from GoTerriers.com, USCHO’s Scott Weighart, College Hockey News, The Boston Herald and The Boston Globe, along with a detailed boxscore and video highlights. Post-game comments from Coach Parker are below.


►During the first intermission, Boston University men's ice hockey program announced its Hockey East 25th Anniversary Team, consisting of 20 players (12 forwards, six defensemen, two goaltenders) who each played at least two seasons in the Hockey East era (1984-2009).

Forwards: Tony Amonte, John Cullen, Chris Drury, Mike Grier, Jacques Jobert, Pete MacArthur, Shawn McEachern, Chris O'Sullivan, Jay Pandolfo, David Sacco, Joe Sacco, Scott Young.

Defensemen: Jon Coleman, Matt Gilroy, Kaj Linna, Freddy Meyer, Tom Poti, Dan Spang.

Goaltenders: John Curry, Michel Larocque.

Fan voting chose Curry, Drury and Gilroy as the top performers at their respective positions. Fans also determined the top individual performance by a Terrier, which was Drury’s four-goal effort against BC in Dec. 1996. His spree included two shorthanded goals (one with BU one man down; the other with BU down two men), an even strength goal and an empty net goal.

► The ceremony also recognized numerous former players in attendence who were members of Hockey East regular season or tournament champions: Amonte, Pat Aufiero, Brian Collins, Coleman, Tom Dion, Peter Marshall, Chris O’Sullivan, Kevin O’Sullivan, Mike Predergast and Scott Shaunessy.

►Other former Terriers on hand included Tim Regan (first visit to Agganis), Vic Stanfield, Brian Durocher (whose Terrier women’s team won its first round Hockey East playoff game, 2-1 over Northeastern), Paul Giandomenico, Stan Mescon, Peter McLachlan, Bill Whelton, Frank D’Orio, Marc Hetnik, Scott Manty, Brad Zancanaro, Matt Marden, Stephan Siwiec and Karson Gillespie.

►Jason Lawrence, who scored his 20th goal of the season and 13th on the power play when he converted a slick Colby Cohen pass, was one of two Terriers to reach 30 points on the season. Yip’s goal and assist gave him 31, equaling his freshman year total. BU now has five 30+ scorers.
►Radio color commentator Tom Ryan pointed out that BU has now scored 5 goals or more 13 times this season.

►Friday’s win clinched home ice in the Hockey East playoffs for BU. Saturday’s victory means BU can finish no worse than third and with one point against Providence next weekend, BU will be guaranteed to finish at least second. A sweep of the Friars combined with a Northeastern tie or loss to BC would give the Terriers the regular season title and top seed in the playoffs.

►BU extended its current unbeaten streak to 14 games--best in NCAA D1--and is unbeaten in 22 of its last 23 games. The only blemish was a 4-2 loss to Providence, next weekend's opponent.

►The Herald's recap reports that BU has has registered 25 regular-season wins for the first time since 1997-98, when the Terriers posted 27 victories.

Down early, Terriers double up UMass

Jason Lawrence's first career hattrick and a pair of power play goals by co-captain Matt Gilroy propelled the top-ranked Terriers to a 6-3, come-from-behind win over UMass in Amherst. Despite a shot advantage in the first period, BU fell behind, 2-0, and the Minutemen made it 3-0 just a minute into the second. After Grant Rollheiser replaced Kieran Millan in goal, Gilroy’s pair and Lawrence’s first brought the Terriers even after 40 minutes. BU dominated the third period as Lawrence completed his natural hattrick and David Warsofsky closed out the scoring.

Lawrence’s sharp angle, third goal, earned the #2 position on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10—his second such recognition this season—and John Bucciogross added shout-outs for BU’s “throwback” third uniforms and Coach Jack Parker.

Video highlights from NESN 1, 2 and WWLP. Check out a great feed by Colin Wilson on Lawrence's one-timer for his second goal. We also have recaps from GoTerriers.com, USCHO, College Hockey News, Hockey East Online, The Boston Globe, The Republican, and WWLP-TV (with video), along with a detailed box score.

► Did NESN have a premonition of what was to come when it interviewed Lawrence at the end of the first period?

► Both Lawrence and Gilroy had career highs in single-game scoring. Along with his first hattrick, Lawrence had four points (3+1), while Gilroy registered his first-ever multi-goal game and also had four points (2+2). Gilroy now has 27 points, a career high. Lawrence's 28 points is also a career high.

► The comeback victory increased BU’s nation’s-best undefeated streak to 13 games and, ironically, also ended the team’s longest non-winning streak. The Terriers had three consecutive ties coming into the contest.

►When UMass scored its third goal, it was just the second time the Terriers trailed a team by three this season. The first was in November when UMass beat BU, 5-1.

► BU had previously trailed by two goals four times this season and came back to at least tie the score each time. On Nov. 11, BU rebounded from 3-1 to beat Lowell 6-4. Eleven days later BU rebounded again from a 3-1 score, but Vermont won 4-3. Harvard scored the first two goals in the Beanpot opener, before BU won 4-3 and two weeks ago in Maine, BU fell behind 2-0 before scoring twice in a 2-2 OT tie.

► The game was played before one of the biggest crowds ever at the Mullins Center in Amherst, 8,291--just 82 shy of a sellout.

►BU continues to trail Northeastern by a point in the Hockey East Standings.

Looking back
David Van der Gulik, called up to Calgary from the AHL, made his first NHL start last night against Minnesota. He logged 9+ minutes of ice time. No points, but he led the Flames with six shots taken. His photo will go up on the wall in Agganis Arena with 57 other Terriers who have reached the NHL.

Game day--On the road at UMass

With just two weeks left before the Hockey East playoffs, the Terriers, who trail first-place Northeastern by a point in the conference standings, face yet another critical series. The opponent is UMass-Amherst. The Minutemen, though currently tied with BC for 6th place, are the only team to have beaten BU this season by more than a pair of goals. When the teams met in Amherst this past November, UMass earned a decisive 5-1 win. The Mullins Center has proven to be a difficult venue for the Terriers in recent years as Coach Jack Parker explained to The Daily Free Press, BU will look to reverse that trend in a 7:30 p.m. start tonight with the game airing on NESN. Tomorrow’s rematch at Agganis Arena starts at 8 p.m.

We have game and conference previews and links from GoTerriers.com, USCHO, HockeyEast Online, UMass , NESN and The Republican, as well as College Hockey News’ “Tale of the Tape” matchup.

►Contrary to yesterday’s post, senior forward Chris Higgins (photo), who suffered a hand injury against Northeastern, will return to the lineup, as will sophomore forward Joe Pereira and freshman center Corey Trivino. Kieran Millan is scheduled to make the start in goal.

►Senior forward Brandon Yip was interviewed by Bernie Corbett on the BU All-Access program yesterday, talking about the team's determination to turn things up a notch, following three straight ties and the coincidence of how well he has played whenever his parents fly in from British Columbia.

►In addition to the team matchups, the two games feature Hockey East's top two scorers, Colin Wilson (41 points) and James Marcou (40).

► Don “Toot” Cahoon is the winningest coach in UMass history with 127 wins. Before taking the top job in Amherst, he was head coach at Princeton, where he led the Tigers to an ECAC championship in 1998, and was an assistant coach for Jack Parker in 1974-79, 1987-88 and 1990-91. As a player at BU, he scored 96 points in three varsity season and was a top forward on the 1971 and 1972 national championship teams.

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VDG --> NHL

Congratulations to former Terrier winger David Van der Gulik who has been recalled to Calgary from Quad City. Now in his third professional season, Van der Gulik is the third ex-BU player called up to the NHL from the AHL this season. Goalie John Curry and forward Chris Bourque were earlier call-ups who later returned to the AHL.

Higgins doubtful for UMass series

Terrier senior forward Chris Higgins is likely to miss this weekend’s home-and-home series with UMass due to a hand injured last week against Northeastern. Higgins, who is enjoying a standout season, sat out last Saturday’s 1-1 tie with the Huskies. It had been feared that his hand was broken, but that is not the case. Joe Pereira, was out of the lineup last week with an infected wisdom tooth, is back this week.

UMass is coached by former Terrier player and assistant head coach Don Cahoon, who was a member of BU's 1971 and 1972 NCAA championship teams. The UMass Daily Collegian looks at the upcoming series, which begins in Amherst tomorrow night. The series concludes Saturday with an 8 pm start at Agganis Arena in a game that is part of the University’s “Winterfest” celebration.

Between the first and second periods, there will be a ceremony to announce who will represent BU in the Hockey East 25th Anniversary fan voting. Also to be revealed are the results of fan voting for the top BU forward, defenseman and goalie of the 25 years of Hockey East, as well as the top individual performance by a Terrier. Voting for top performance ends tomorrow night. A 20-man All-Terrier squad also will be named and many former Terrier standouts will be on hand.

Sophomore defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk was the subject of a Q&A interview with hockey Web site Kukla’s Korner, that takes a peek at his future plans. According to hockeysfuture.com, Shattenkirk is the top rated prospect in the Colorado Avalanche's system. Colby Cohen is ranked sixth.

The GoTerriers.com Web site is holding an online auction of a BU jersey autographed by the members of the 2008-09 squad and a photo commemorating Coach Jack Parker's 800th win.


Looking back
Former Terriers Greg Johnson and Ken Magowan (photo above) playing the Germany DEL league for Wolfsburg, celebrated their team’s victory over Hannover in the Germany Cup Final. Other former Terriers involved in the German DEL are Bill Flynn, co-director of Berlin and Steve Stirling, who coaches Iselohn.

Congratulations to former Terrier defenseman Chris Dyment and his wife, Erica, on the birth of their daughter Samantha Reese Dyment on Tuesday. Dyment and Matt Radoslovich are teammates on the Trenton Devils.

Former BU defenseman Ryan Whitney was traded today by Pittsburgh to Anaheim for forward Chris Kunitz. Whitney led the Terriers in scoring in 2003-04.

This past Sunday several former BU blueliners playing the AHL found themselves on the scoresheet. Sean Sullivan, a former Terrier captain now playing for San Antonio, assisted on a goal in the a 5-4 loss to Grand Rapids. Kevin Schaeffer, doubled his season's point total, with a pair of assists in the Providence Bruins' 5-4 win over Springfield. Dan Spang, playing his first game since being loaned to Syracuse, had an assist in a 3-1 win over Hamilton. Also in the AHL, David VanderGulik of Quad City and Carl Corazzini of Peoria each had an assist in a game won by Peoria, 2-1.

Looking ahead
2009 recruit Justin Courtnall sat down with his hometown newspaper for to discuss his development as a hockey player and being the son of an NHL star.

2010 recruit defenseman Sean Escobedo assisted on Sioux Falls’ first goal in its 4-3 win over Green Bay last night.

Looking back--Miracle on Ice.

29 years ago today, Feb. 22, 1980, the U.S. Olympic hockey team, playing in the medal round in Lake Placid, N.Y., fired the shot heard 'round the hockey world, upsetting defending world champion Soviet Union, 4-3, in a riveting game, now immortalized in the movie "Miracle."

Four Terriers--three were members of BU's 1978 NCAA championship team--played key roles in the victory and subsequent gold medal, following a win against Finland two days later. They were: goalie Jim Craig, defenseman Jack O'Callahan, and forwards Dave Silk and team captain Mike Eruzione. Craig literally stood on his head all night, making the saves to keep the U.S. within striking distance of the favored Soviets, while O'Callahan, who missed several preliminary round games with a knee injury, dished out big hits and anchored the defense. Silk assisted on Mark Johnson's goal in the third period that tied the game at three all, just minutes before Eruzione fired a wrist shot from high slot that beat the Soviet goalie (video), triggering an eruption from the already-frenzied crowd. Ten minutes (on the game clock) later, Al Michaels made the memorable call on television, "Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!" (video).

The shocking upset by "20 unknown collegians" earned the team and coach Herb Brooks recognition throughout the hockey world, a visit to the White House to meet President Carter, and Sports Illustrated's designation of "Sportsmen of the Year." The dramatic victory is credited with accelerating the growth of hockey in the U.S., spreading interest from a few traditional regional pockets to the entire U.S. (photo credit Associated Press).

BU-Northeastern game recaps

We have recaps and other coverage of last night’s 1-1 tie between BU and Northeastern:
GoTerriers.com, USCHO, The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, detailed boxscore and Brian Kelley’s in-game blog.

►BU played without senior Chris Higgins, who injured a hand on Friday night and sophomore Joe Pereira who had wisdom tooth problems. Victor Saponari made his first start since. January 16.

►Gilroy became the 8th Terrier to score a shorthanded goal this season, and the third defenseman, joining David Warsofsky and Kevin Shattenkirk.

►Since Thanksgiving, the Terriers are 18-1-4. In their current 12 game unbeaten streak (9-0-3), BU has yield just 20 goals, an average of 1.66 gpg.

USCHO offers a feature on the improbable path that led walk-on Gilroy to All-American status at BU.

Looking back
Dan Spang was loaned by the Flames to the Syracuse Crunch where he’ll be reunited with Brian McGuirk.

29 years ago today, four ex-Terriers led the way in hockey's greatest upset, the 1980 U.S. Olympic team's 4-3 win over the Soviet Union in Lake Placid. We'll have a separate post about the "Miracle on Ice" later today.

Looking ahead

2009 recruit Justin Courtnall scored a goal and added an assist in Victoria's 5-4 win over Cowichan Valley in the Grizzlies' final regular season game. Victoria, which clinched the BCHL regular season points title, earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs. Courtnall, who played in all 60 regular season games, finished with 63 points (22-41).

2010 recruit Sean Escobedo had a pair of assists in Sioux Falls’s shootout win over Green Bay.

Max Nicastro contributed an assist in Chicago’s 3-1 win over Cedar Rapids.

2009 recruit Alex Chiasson two assists in Des Moines 8-2 loss to Sioux City bring his team leading total to 39 points

Deja vu--Terriers and Huskies tie again

The venue was different, but the outcome was the same as BU and Northeastern played to a 1-1 overtime tie before a SRO crowd at ancient Matthews Arena [Note: Prior to the '71-'72 season, that rink, then known as Boston Arena, was also BU's home ice]. The game was scoreless going into the third period when co-captain Matt Gilroy scored shorthanded, assisted by Nick Bonino. Northeast had six power plays in the final period, but they finally broke through at even strength to tie the game with 2:22 remaining. Kieran Millan stopped 31 Husky shots including 10 in the 3rd period and 7 in overtime when BU also was shorthanded.

The pair of ties, combined with BU's 3-0 win against NU in November, gives the Terriers the tie-breaker of the Huskies. If the teams finished with the same number of points, BU will earn the top seed for the Hockey East tournament. Right now, BU still trails NU by a point.

We'll update this post with game coverage and related news as it becomes available.

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Game Day--BU and NU--again

The first- and second-place teams in Hockey East, separated by a single point, are back on the ice for a rematch tonight at Matthews Arena. Start time is 8 p.m. You can listen on WWZN in Boston or online. One of readers reports that you also watch the game online for $4.95. Go this GoNU.com link. Terrier Sports Information Director Brian Kelley will blog live throughout the game here.

Following last night's games and the updated Pairwise rankings, USCHO's bracketologist, Jason Moy, took a stab at how the NCAA quarterfinal pairings would be set, if the season was over. Moy has the Terriers seeded first in the Bridgeport regional, meeting RIT.

Brian Durocher's women's team clinched home ice for the Hockey East playoffs with a 3-0 win over Northeastern this afternoon at Matthews Arena.

With the season winding down, there's no shortage of opinions about the Hobey Baker Award. Inside Hockey's Ryan Hurton is one of many who believe Colin Wilson is the front-runner for college hockey's version of the Heisman.

McKeen's Hockey Prospects ranked the top free agents among college players and has Terrier co-captain Matt Gilroy at the top of its list

Matt Gilroy--Capitalizing on Tyler Bozak missing several weeks with a torn meniscus injury, Matt Gilroy is now our top-ranked UFA out of the NCAA. Gilroy is primed to be a star and could dramatically uplift the franchise that is fortunate to land him equally as much as a lottery pick. He's smooth as they come with the puck, as he boasts unrivaled vision and passing skills. His ability to escape dangerous situations and orchestrate beautiful plays coming out of his own end has our scouts believing he could be special. Gilroy fits the prototype of a modern NHL defenseman and will be a mature 25-year old when he enters his rookie NHL season next fall. After receiving contract offers from 23 teams last season, Gilroy is expected to sign on to a lucrative one this year because his age leaves him exempt from the NHL's entry level contract system. While the hype over the John Tavares lottery is deafening, the courtship for Gilroy's services could be just as fascinating and fruitful.

Nothing settled in 2-2 tie

Game one of the much anticipated clash between BU and Northeastern end up a 2-2 overtime tie. But for the Terriers who had grabbed a 2-0 first period lead, it was a less than satisfying game, especially to coach Jack Parker who didn't mince words: "We were unbelievably fortunate to get a point. We really dodged a bullet. That team outplayed us for the last forty minutes. I’ve got to give Northeastern a lot of credit. It’s easy to see why they’re in first place and we’re chasing them."

Commenting on the lost opportunity to move into first place in Hockey East, co-Captain Matt Gilroy, who assisted on the game’s first goal by Brandon Yip, was equally candid: "It’s human nature to get ahead of yourself when you’re up 2-0, but good teams don’t do that, especially down the stretch. We’ve got to get that out of our system.”

Colin Wilson had the other Terrier goal, increasing his Hockey East-leading points total to 41 (14-27).

We have recaps from GoTerriers.com, USCHO, Inside Hockey, The Boston Herald and The Boston Globe along with a detailed boxscore.

Tonight’s rematch at Matthews Arena is an 8:00 p.m. start. There is no broadcast television due to the termination of CN8 in Boston . The game will air on WWZN Radio and online.

Looking ahead
2009 recruit Justin Courtnall picked up two assists in Victoria’s 4-1 win over Nanaimo.

Looking back
Former Terriers Chris Bourque and David VanderGulik each scored their 14th goal of the season in AHL play. Bourque’s goal came in a 3-2 Hershey loss to Rochester and VDG’s in a 5-4 Quad City win over San Antonio.

Former All-American goalie John Curry ran his unbeaten streak to 11 games in a 3-1 Wilkes Barre/Scranton win over Syracuse , stopping 27 shots. Since his return for a brief NHL stint in Pittsburgh, Curry’s record is 19-3.

Game Day--Terriers & Huskies

Just shy of two weeks after their clash in the Beanpot championship game, BU and Northeastern get together for a home-and-home series that could go a long way to determining the Hockey East regular season champion and top seed in the conference tournament. The first-place Huskies have a one-point lead on the top ranked Terriers.

We have a number of preview articles: The Daily Free Press, USCHO and HockeyEastOnline. Also the GoTerriers.com game day article with links to gamenotes and gametracker, as well as Northeastern game notes. There is no broadcast television, but you can watch online if subscribed to BU All-Access.

►BU is off to its best start through 30 games since the 1997-98 squad had an identical 23-5-2 mark as part of a 25-5-2 regular season.

►The Terriers are 16-1-2 since Nov. 25, marking their best stretch of play with just one loss sincegoing 19-1-2 at the end of the 2005-06 season before falling in the NCAA Regional final.

► Thus far this season, BU has performed well against top competition. The Terriers are 10-1-1 against teams ranked 12th in the nation or higher at the time they faced them.

► Terrier 1998-99 captain Albie O'Connell is a Northeastern assistant coach.

► As part of Hockey East's 25th anniversary, you can participate in a poll to determine the top individual performance by a Terrier.Candidates are Tony Amonte, Shawn McEachern, Chris Drury, Joe Sacco and Rick DiPietro. For details on these five performances, click here.

Kevin Shattenkirk is featured in the print edition of The Hockey News, which quotes the sophomore defenseman as saying, " I'm playing much better this year by far. I've been taking care of my responsibilities in the defensive zone, which has led to quicker breakouts and more effective chances on the rush."

Providence coach Tim Army says "He has a great foundation of skill. He patrols the blueline very well with the puck. His passes are hard and his hits are hard."

A NESN Web site article discusses the Hobey Baker Award chances for five Hockey East skaters, including Matt Gilroy and Colin Wilson.

Wilson has scored 75 points (25-50) in his two seasons at BU, tying him with legendary BU coach Jack Kelley, also a standout defenseman in the late 40s and early 50s. Click here for a list showing scoring totals for previous Terrier standouts in their first two varsity seasons. In some cases, it was their sophomore and junior years because when they played, there was no freshman eligibility.

Updating an earlier post on the bus accident involving the Albany River Rats, we have a link to a video interview with ex-Terrier Ryan Weston, who suffered minor injuries. The WTEN-Albany interviewer is Nicol Lally (BU '01) who is married to former Terrier netminder Jason Tapp, currently playing for the Kalamazoo Wings.

Former Terrier injured in team bus accident

Ex-Terrier Ryan Weston, a 2008 graduate, was one of several Albany River Rats injured when their team bus flipped on the Mass Turnpike early Thursday morning following an AHL game against Lowell. According to his father, Ryan "suffered separated shoulders, cuts, bumps and bruises and was released from the hospital."

While the Terriers keep their focus on this weekend's critical home-and-home series with first-place Northeastern, BU fans have the luxury of diverting themselves with down-the-road matters like where BU will play in the NCAA quarterfinals and whether one of the Terriers will be a Hobey Baker Award finalist or winner.

We'll start with College Hockey News' Adam Wodon who provides a primer on NCAA bracket ABCs. BU is currently the leader in the Pairwise and RPI rankings and according to Wodon,

"The Terriers' lead over the next few teams is so significant, it would take a major tanking to miss out on the No. 1 overall seed. The bigger question for the Terriers is, where will they wind up? Both eastern regionals are fairly close -- Manchester, N.H., and Bridgeport, Conn., though Manchester is significantly closer, relatively speaking." More

USCHO bloger Elliott Olshansky assesses the leading Hobey Baker Award candidates including Matt Gilroy and Colin Wilson. INCH's latest Hobey tracker puts Wilson in the leader's position.

The New Brittain, Conn., Herald talks with Nick Bonino and his Farmington High School coach about the path that led him to public school and prep championships and then to BU and the Beanpot MVP Award.

On INCH's Weekly podcast, the Web site's editors discuss college hockey's top ranked programs, beginning with BU.

Well-traveled Carl Corazzini, a former All-American forward and captain of the 2000-01 Terriers, is on the move again, traded from AHL Springfield to Peoria. Corazzini also has made 19 NHL starts with the Bruins and Blackhawks.

Midweek Linkorama

The Terriers maintained their #1 position in the USCHO/CBS College Sports Poll. Notre Dame and fast-charging Michigan are #2 and #3 respectively.

Hockeyfuture.com rates prospects in the Penguins organization and assistant captain Brian Strait is ranked 6th while former BU All-American goalie John Curry is 9th.

Colin Wilson earned Hockey East Player of the Week honors and Nick Bonino, Chris Higgins, Jason Lawrence and Kieran Millan also earned kudos for their efforts. Wilson shared Inside Hockey Player of the Week honors with Michigan State goalie Jeff Lerg.

HockeyBuzz’s Julie Rolenhymer announcer her Hobey Baker finalists and picks Wilson to take home the trophy. While there is no NCAA rookie-of-the-year award, but Rolenhymer calls out Millan as a top newcomer in college.

2009 Recruit Alex Chiasson was featured in Sports Management Worldwide/International Scouting Services 2009 Draft Prospect Performers of the Week.

High-scoring Salmon Arm forward Conor Morrison, whom we noted last month was on BU's recruiting radar, has chosen Harvard over BU, Wisconsin and North Dakota.

If you’d like one more recap of the two-game series in Maine, we have one from The Daily Free Press.

Earlier this week two former Terrier standouts, New York Rangers' captain Chris Drury and Blues' assistant captain Keith Tkachuk went head-to-head on the ice. Neither hit the score sheet in a 2-1 St. Louis win, but managed to come togther on a few big hits. The two also collaborated several years ago to fund the state-of-the-art training and condition facility in Agganis Arena.

Finally, CHN’s Adam Wodon calls to our attention a blog written for The Hockey News by former UAA forward Justin Bourne, son of New York Islander standout out Bob Bourne. The piece candidly examines his career to date and his love-hate relationship with the sport. If Justin doesn’t succeed in pro hockey, he’s got the tools for a career as a writer.

Sister-kisser on Valentine's Day

It was a different script in last night's Valentine's Day rematch with Maine in Orono, which ended in a 2-2 overtime tie. A more competitive Black Bears team took a 2-0 lead, scoring both goals during a 62-second span in the second period. BU responded quickly on John McCarthy's 4th goal of season. Terriers outshot Maine, 11-3 in the final period, and tied the score when Nick Bonino converted the rebound of his own initial shot for his 11th goal. BU held a shot advantage in the overtime, but couldn't notch a game-winner.

Goalie Grant Rollheiser, making his first start since Jan. 13, stopped 19 shots. He also played the final 12:31 of Friday's game.

The three-point weekend, combined with Northeastern's loss last night to UMass, brought #1-ranked BU within a point of the first-place Huskies in the Hockey East standings, going into next weekend's home-and-home with the Huntingdon Hounds. Recaps of all of last night's conference action are here.

We have recaps from GoTerriers.com, The Boston Globe and the Maine Sunday Telegram, along with a detailed boxscore.

Thanks to blog contributor Candycanes99, we have a highlights video from Friday night's win, as well as a video from Saturday's tie.

Newsday joined the parade of media recounting Matt Gilroy's decision to forego the NHL to play his senior season at BU.

Looking back
Adrian Aucoin's scored his 9th goal (video) as Calgary outlasted Phoenix, 7-5.

David VanderGulik's 13th goal helped Quad City thump San Antonio, 7-3.

John Curry notched his ninth consecutive win--and 20th of the season--in a 3-2 Wilkes Barre/Scranton win over Hamilton.

BU and Maine do it again

Terriers and Black Bears are back on the ice tonight with alterred lineups. Maine had three players DQ'd last night and all will sit out tonight's game. The same applies to Terrier assistant captain Brian Strait, also DQd. Senior Steve Smolinsky, who filled in for Kevin Shattenkirk during the Denver Cup, gets the call tonight. Corey Trivino sits out tonight and Andrew Glass, who played effectively in the Beanpot final, is in the lineup. Grant Rollheiser, who relieved Kieran Millan in the third period last night, will be in goal.

Tonight's BU gamenotes are here. An e-mail to the blog suggest that All-Access subscribers may be able to watch tonight's game online by going to http://www.cstv.com/media/livegame.html . If it works, there won't be any audio, but you can listen to the audio Webcast on WWZN. It just won't be synchronzied.

The detailed boxscore from last night is now available here.