Last night in the first Frozen Four semifinal, a powerhouse Michigan team dropped a one-goal decision to a team in red--Denver, which won, 3-2 in overtime. Twenty-five years ago in another NCAA semifinal, another powerhouse, the defending national champion Wolverines took on another red and found goal of repeating upended by an underdog Terrier squad, the “few good men” team.
In 1996-97 BU began the season with a shorter than usual roster—just 20 skaters and three goalies. Mike Grier and Chris O’Sullivan departed after their junior seasons. During the previous season, Travis Roy was lost tragically to an injury that left him paralyzed and another freshman was an academic casualty. Then, early in 1996-97 John Hynes (now head coach of the Nashville Predators) saw an injury end his playing career. Later in the season, Brendan Walsh was dismissed by Jack Parker. Swedish forward Tommi Degerman, newly released from military service, came aboard in January to help with the manpower shortage.
Despite the depth issues, the Terriers won their Beanpot and their fifth Lamoriello Cup as Hockey East tournament champions. And in the NCAA regional final, they overcame Denver, behind a pair of Albie O’Connell goals and Chris Drury’s overtime game-winner.
The Wolverines—led by All-American goalie Marty Turco and Hobey Baker Award winner Brendan Morrison—were a true juggernaut. They cruised into the Frozen Four with a 34-4-3, set to dispose of the 25-8-6 Terriers, just as they had in the previous year’s NCAA semifinal. Making the challenge facing BU even more daunting, they lost captain Bill Pierce in the first period to a game misconduct for a hit from behind.
The story of the 1996-97 season and the 3-2 upset win are in blog contributor Mark Hurlman’s narrative, “A Few Good Men” and the video highlights below.
● THFB The 1996-97 Terriers: A Few Good Men
● Video highlights BU-Michigan in the Frozen Four
Looking back
Taking advantage of the opportunity to skate on the power play, Alex Chiasson scored his eighth goal and ninth goals and added an assist in Vancouver’s 5-1 win against Arizona.
tw-align-centerA power play that's not too shabby 😏 pic.twitter.com/3X4s8Y7skW
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) April 8, 2022
Dante Fabbro tallied his 18th assist in the Predators 3-2 win against Ottawa. Brady Tkachuk had a helper for the Senators.
Nick Bonino scored his 10th goal, assisted by Matt Nieto, in San Jose's 4-2 loss to Calgary.
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