Quinn optimistic as second half begins

In a detailed and optimistic interview with USCHO senior writer Scott Weighart, Head Coach David Quinn discussed a wide range of subjects, including the status of injured seniors Matt Grzelcyk and Ahti Oksanen and sophomore Nikolas Olsson, along with AJ Greer’s departure, Nick Roberto’s suspension, newly added forwards Oskar Andren and Erik Udahl, and the state of the Terriers’ goaltending.

Quinn indicated that the three injured players might be available for Thursday night’s game at Harvard, noting: “We’re inching toward getting healthier. We’re not sure yet, but we’ll know more by Wednesday.”

The status for Thursday of the players returning from the World Junior Championships in Helsinki also is up in the air. That includes sophomores Brandon Fortunato and Brandon Hickey and freshmen Charlie McAvoy and Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson.

UPDATE: Scott Weighart has posted this comment: While the WJC players will be tired, Quinn assured me that they will be playing Thursday.

Happy to welcome Erik Udahl and Oscar Andrén to our team! 4 days until we return to the ice against Harvard! #GoBU pic.twitter.com/FkISVeIu0i

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) January 3, 2016

World Junior Championships

The quest for a gold medal ended Monday for all the Terriers in action at The WJCs as Sweden (Forsbacka Karlsson) fell to Finland  and Russia rallied past the US (Fortunato, McAvoy and 2016 recruit Chad Krys), both by 2-1 scores. The US and Sweden will play for the Bronze medal on Tuesday with puck drop at 9 a.m. ET. NHL Network will broadcast the game live.

● USA Hockey recap of USA-Russia

● IIHF recap of Finland-Sweden

Looking ahead

  

2016 recruits Kieffer Bellows and Clayton Keller (photo) each scored a goal in the NTDP U18s’ 7-6 overtime win against St. Cloud State. Keller, who leads the team with 61 points in 30 games, also assisted on two goals, including the game-winner, and also hit the crossbar on a penalty shot  (Video highlights).  Fellow 2016 recruit Jake Oettinger stopped 29 shots in the high-scoring game, earning his 15^th win in 19 decisions and third against NCAA teams.

NTDPs Clayton Keller is the only player on the planet averaging two points per game against NCAA D-1  competition this year.

— Chris Dilks (@ChrisDilks) January 3, 2016

● USA Hockey recap and box score

ESPN Boston reports on 2018 recruit Jake Wise (photo) and linemate Cam Gendron who are the stem-winders for the Central Catholic Raiders. Wise, who scored 42 points as a freshman to lead the Raiders to the quarterfinals of the Div. 1A Super8 Tournament last year, currently has seven goals and seven assists in seven games.  Ranked among the top '00 birthdates, he committed to BU in October 2014 and is expected to spend his junior and senior seasons in the USNTDP program.