Sunday, March 11, 2012

Terriers edge Wildcats in 2 OT; advance to HE semis--UPDATED

At 6;42 of the second overtime, junior Alex Chiasson made sure that Coach Jack Parker's 67th birthday--already memorable--was a happy one when converted the rebound of Wade Megan shot to lift BU to a come-from-way-behind 5-4 victory against New Hampshire.

BU's two games to one win the Hockey East quarterfinals also enables film buff Parker to quote a classic movie line: "Take me to the Garden" (On The Waterfront, 1954) as the Terriers advance to the conference semifinal next Friday against Maine at TD Garden.

Kieran Millan stopped a career-high 68 shots--easily breaking the personal record of 47 he set Friday night in the series' first game. Chiasson assisted on three other goals for a career-best four-point game.

After falling behind 4-1 in the second period, BU clawed its way back into the game on the strength of two goals by sophomore Garrett Noonan late in the middle stanza. Wade Megan's 19th goal of the season, on drop pass from Noonan, in the opening minute of the third period tied the score at 4-4.

There was no further scoring during the third period--although Ross Gaudet rang one off the post-- or in the first overtime, despite heavy shot totals at both ends. BU had 32 shots on goal in the 3rd and first OT, while the Wildcats had 27.

Chiasson now has 97 career points and could become the second Terrier to reach the century mark this season. Senior Chris Connolly achieved that milestone earlier this year and now has 116 points following his assists on Noonan's first goal and Chiasson's game-winner.

Noonan is now tied for the national lead in goals by a blueliner with 16. He's also tied with former BU All-American Vic Stanfield for second most ever by a Terrier, one behind two-time All-American Bob Brown.

Millan’s 68 saves were the seventh most ever by a Terrier and the most since Rick DiPietro stopped 77 in an NCAA quarterfinal game. He also set a new mark for Hockey East tournament games.


The game marked the final appearance at Agganis Arena for the Terrier seniors--and perhaps some underclassmen. Following a last stick-salute to BU fans, Millan told the media:


“It was almost a little emotional when we did the salute, I guess. You don’t really think about it that much while you’re playing or even this entire year I haven’t really though about it, even in senior’s night. But it really is coming to an end a little bit and it’s weird to think that I’ve spent four years here, me and all the other seniors have spent four years here and all the things we’ve been through. It’s kind of sad but at the same time we have a great opportunity ahead of us to win something big and go out with a bang so we’re focused on that, but it has been a pleasure to play here.”

● HockeyEastOnline recap and box score
● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score
● Video highlights
● Coach Parker post-game comments (video)
● Post-game comments: Millan, Chiasson, Noonan
● Boston Hockey Blog recap , analysis
● USCHO recap and blog feature on goalies
● Boston Herald recap and feature on Parker.
● Boston Globe recap
● College Hockey News’ The Take Away
● Boston Herald recap and feature on Parker.
● Union Leader recap

Looking ahead
2013 recruit Danny O'Regan assisted on one goal and then scored the game-winner in the NTDP U18's 5-1 win against Chicago.O'Regan was in his second game with USA Hockey's NTDP program. During the summer, he had worn the USA jersey in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament last summer.





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