After a 12 year absense the Terriers of Boston University, led by veteran Coach Jack Parker, are headed to the Frozen Four in Washington, DC. The Terriers have been the team to beat this season, amassing an impressive 33-6-4 record in the most competitive league in college hockey; Hockey East. Not only did they lose only six games, but four of those games were with the back up goaltender in net, as Freshman starter Keiran Milan has only lost two games all season. The team is led by two Hobey Baker finalist Matt Gilroy, a senior defenceman and three time All-American, and Colin Wilson, sophmore forward with over 50 points this season. They have a great supporting cast as BU has fourteen NHL draft picks (not including Gilroy) and over 11 players who scored over 20 points this season, four of which are defenseman. Nick Bonino (47 pts) leads the country in plus/minus and Jason Lawrence (37 pts) is one of the top power play scorers in the nation (14 power play goals) and second in the country in game winning goals (8). Up front the Terriers get a lot of production from senior forwards Brandon Yip (41 pts: 20 goals),Chris Higgins (43 pts) and co-captain John McCarthy (29 pts). On the blue line, Gilroys supporting cast includes and first round draft pick Kevin Shattenkirk (26 pts), Colby Cohen (31 pts) and freshman speedster David Warsofsky (22 pts). They also have a great group of under classmen in Rookie of the Year Keiran Milan (1.84 GAA, .923 SV%) and First Team All-Rookie Hockey East Chris Connoly.This team from top to bottom is potentially the most talented college hockey team ever assembled. There talent was demonstrated in winning three of the most prestigious tournament in college hockey including the Denver Cup, Beanpot and Hockey East Championship as well as regular season champions.
In Washington D.C. the Terriers will face the Catamounts of Vermont led by their top scorer Victor Stalberg. The catamounts pose a ligament threat to BU as they are the only team to beat BU back to back the entire season. They are also the only team in the country that has a better record head to head against BU as they lead the series this year 2-1. UVM is a team that takes pride in their speed up front and strong goaltending, and their best skill as of late has been hiding their weaknesses on special teams and on the blueline. In single elimination talent is much less important than execution and smart play. For the Terriers to win their first National Championship since 1995 they must beat UVM and the keys to doing that are the following:
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