Game Day: BU vs. UMass to open the season

#19 Terriers begin their 92nd season hosting Hockey East rival Massachusetts in  7:30 p.m. start at Agganis Arena. BU returns four of its top six scorers, led by top point-getter Danny O’Regan (16-22-38, photo), four starting defensemen, including senior co-captains Garrett Noonan and Patrick MacGregor, and both goalies. While the Terriers—with just five seniors and two juniors—have one of the youngest squads in program history, the Minutemen’s lineup has nine seniors and five juniors. Their top returning scorer is Branden Gracel (14-20-34).

Last season, BU won two of the three meetings with UMass and holds an 11-2-2 advantage over the Minutemen in games at Agganis Arena.

● Go Terriers preview, Game Notes, Game Tracker, Terrier TV Webcast, NBC Sports Radio Webcast

● BU Today previews BU Hockey

● USCHO preview of UMass; and Weekend game predictions

● SB Nation: Hockey East Players Predicted to Make Production Jump; Weekend game predictions

In addition to the five-game schedule of Hockey East games that will air on NBC Sports Network (announced earlier this week, with three involving BU),  NBC Sports Network will air twelve Notre Dame home games, including the Friday, Feb. 21 match-up with the Terriers, who will visit South Bend for a weekend pair. Please note that the “College Hockey on TV” page (link in sidebar) has not yet been updated to include the NBCSN games.

Looking back

The Hockey Writers discuss Alex Chiasson emergence as a scorer in the NHL.

Women’s Team

Led by captain Louise Warren, senior goalie Kerrin Sperry and top returning scorer Sarah Lefort, the Terriers begin the season on the road in Troy, N.Y, for a 7 p.m. showdown tonight against ECAC rival Rensselaer. Last season BU edged the Engineers, 3-2, in its season home opener.

● Go Terriers preview, Game Notes, Live Stats, 2013-14 Prospectus, RPI Webcast

● RPI game notes