Analysis Podcast: Terriers at the Break; World Juniors begin in Sweden

                           Photo credit Kyle Prudhomme

With #2 ranked BU--and #1 in Pairwise--preparing to begin second semester action, we take a look at the Terriers' performance to date in a two part podcast discussion. Joining me on the podcast are the longtime voice of the Terriers Bernie Corbett, his broadcast partner Mark Linenhan and blog contributor Doug Freeman (aka defkit). BU, the preseason pick in both the national and Hockey East polls, sits in first place in the conference, four points ahead of BC and seven points ahead of the Maine Black Bears who have a game in hand. 

Note: You may need to increase volume

Part 1

 

Part 2 of the Terriers at the Break podcast is, for now, on the blog annex at THIS LINK. Again, you may have to increase the volume.

The 11-4-1 Terriers will return to action Friday evening with an out-of-conference road game against Yale in New Haven. BU will be without three players who are at the World Junior Championships: Lane Hutson with Team USA, Macklin Celebrini with Team Canada and Tom Willander with Team Sweden, who are hosting the tournament.   

There's one more BU connection in the WJCs. Mark Divver tweeted that "Norway's GM is Jan Brandvold, whose son, Kim, is a Boston University assistant coach and outstanding skating/skills instructor."

● GoTerriers.com Terrier Trio set for World Junior Championship

World Junior Championships

Preliminary round play began today. Canada defeated Finland, 5-2 with Celebrini scoring the game-winner in the third period, minutes after he rang a shot off iron.

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It ain't pretty, but Celebrini's willingness to go to the hard areas and make plays on the interior is a big reason why he's able to produce the way he does. Thrives inside the dots. https://t.co/GjvhzFJBoG

— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) December 26, 2023

 Team USA defeated Norway, 4-1, with Hutson notching an assist. 

 

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Lane Hutson picks up an assist and records a team high 22:56 TOI in Team USA's 4-1 win over Norway at the WJC

— BU Hockey Stats (@BUHockeyStats) December 26, 2023

Host team Sweden blanked Latvia, 6-0. Willander was +2 with 19:27 TOI.

● IIHF 2024 World Junior Championships home page

● FloHockey.tv  Chris Peters' WJC Preview, Medal Predictions and MVP Candidates

● NHL.com: WJC preview, Group A preview, Group B preview

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From @usahockey Game Notes today - Most Team USA goals at World Juniors in a single tournament:

Kieffer Bellows with 9, Roenick with 8, and nine players tied with 7.

Of these 11 players, 8 played college hockey - with 4 representing @TerrierHockey pic.twitter.com/xmQHEz0xcU

— College Hockey History (@CollegeHockeyHx) December 26, 2023

 

                                            

Highly skilled American skaters and goalies have arrived at BU from USA Hockey's National Team Development Program (NTDP) since the program's inception in 1996. Thus far, 51 NTDP alums have played for BU with defenseman Pat Aufiero being the first in 1998. The current squad includes seven alums: Case McCarthy, Ty Gallagher, Lane Hutson, Devin Kaplan, Luke Tuch, Dylan Peterson and Jeremy Wilmer. The 2024 recruit class will bring three more to Comm. Ave.: Kamil Bednarik, Cole Eiserman and Cole Hutson.

● ESPN:  Inside Stories Behind the start of the U.S. National Development Team Program