Sunday, March 01, 2009

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.

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