By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

Make that two former teammates who refute Andrew Glass' claim that his dismissal is not justified. In a recent tweet directed at Julie Robenhymer of HockeyBuzz.com, former Terrier defenseman Colby Cohen, who played with Glass at BU for two seasons, said the following:

"Glass thing at BU is a joke, he's lucky he didnt get the boot last yr, coach parker was fully justified, glass is a liar"

In a text message to The Daily Free Press, Cohen denied that the Twitter account (C_cohen25) was his, but The Daily Free Press has since confirmed that the account is Cohen's.

Cohen has not returned calls or texts requesting further comment.

By Sam Dykstra/DFP Staff

ORONO, Maine — The toughest five-game stretch of the season for the No. 16 Boston University men’s hockey team didn’t exactly go as planned as the Terriers lost a pair of failed comebacks to No. 14 Merrimack College and No. 2 Boston College.

Despite carrying momentum from two straight road wins over No. 7/8 University of New Hampshire and No. 11/12 University of Maine, it appeared that BU’s (12-7-7, 9-5-5 Hockey East) fifth game of that stretch – their second in as many nights against the Black Bears (11-7-6, 8-5-4 HE) at Alfond Arena – would be just as frustrating as the first two. Instead, the Terriers came away with a 1-1 tie and a valuable conference point.

Maine got on the board just 21 seconds into Saturday’s game on a shot through traffic by defenseman Will O’Neill from the left point. To make matters worse, the Black Bears outshot BU by an astounding 20-2 margin in the game’s first frame. The only thing keeping the game from being decidedly in the home team’s favor was a breakaway goal by BU senior captain Joe Pereira seven minutes after O’Neill’s tally.

Read more at www.dailyfreepress.com.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

ORONO, Maine – When you see that No. 11/12 University of Maine registered 42 shots against the No. 16 Boston University men’s hockey team in a 1-1 tie Saturday night, including 20 in the first period alone, it would be easy to jump to the conclusion that the Terriers performed poorly on defense for the second night in a row.

That would be a mistake, though. The Terriers were not spectacular in their own end, but they were much better than they were in Friday night’s 4-3 win. After giving up an astounding 24 grade-A chances in Game 1 of the weekend series, BU held Maine to just 10 Saturday night.

"They were just shooting them from the outside and we did a pretty good job at defending grade-A," BU coach Jack Parker said after Saturday night’s game. "We gave up a lot of grade-A’s last night. We did a real good job at that tonight."

Read more at www.dailyfreepress.com.

By Arielle Aronson/DFP Staff

Offense: F
Boston University’s effort on offense was nothing short of pathetic. The Terriers had two shots on goal in the first period and four in the third. If not for overtime (when they netted three shots on goal), an 11-shot second period would have only given BU 17 shots on the night. BU also totaled only 6 Grade-A opportunities all night. The one goal the Terriers did score came while they were shorthanded. BU spent too much time either dumping and chasing or taking penalties to get anything set up in the offensive zone. They were lucky to tie.

Defense: B-
The defense gave up 33 shots in the first and third periods combined, but aside from that, they weren’t bad on Saturday. Although Maine outshot BU 20-2 in the first period, the teams tied for Grade-A opportunities with two apiece. The Terriers for the most part forced Maine to take shots from the perimeter and kept them out of the slot. They also were right on top of rebounds and cleared pucks away from the net well. BU continued a trend that started in the third period of the game against BC where they did a good job of getting bodies in shooting and passing lanes. While Maine was able to get a lot of shots off, they were forced to fire those shots through a lot of traffic. That alone really limited Maine from getting good scoring opportunities.

All photos by U-Jin Lee/DFP Staff

BU coach Jack Parker's presser is below. You can find Kieran Millan and Joe Pereira's video comments after the jump.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

ORONO, Maine -- Despite getting outshot 20-2 in the first period, the No. 16 Boston University men's hockey team forced a 1-1 tie against No. 11 University of Maine at Alfond Arena on Saturday night. Junior goalie Kieran Millan made 41 saves and earned No. 1 star honors for the second straight night, while senior forward Joe Pereira netted the Terriers' lone goal.

The Black Bears got on the board just 21 seconds into the game when junior defenseman Will O'Neill collected a faceoff win at the left point, took a few steps to his right and blasted a slap shot through a screen and inside the left post for his second of the season.

Maine continued to dominate the game for the next several minutes and had a few chances to make it 2-0, including two power plays. But on its second power play, it was the Terriers who were able to get on the board.

Junior forward Chris Connolly forced a turnover at the blue line and started a 2-on-1 rush the other way. He held on the left wing before centering for Pereira, whose redirect deflected off freshman goalie Martin Ouellette's glove and into the net. The goal was Pereira's team-leading 11th.

Although the Black Bears continued to make the BU zone a shooting gallery throughout the game, many of their shots came from the outside. Aside from the O'Neill goal, Millan was able to see most of them and displayed great rebound control all night.

Pereira's goal wasn't the only shorthanded highlight. Millan and the Terriers held the Maine power play scoreless on seven chances and did a good job pressuring Maine's playmakers. While the penalty kill was great for BU, the power play continued to struggle with an 0-for-5 showing.

More to come in Monday's paper.

By Sam Dykstra/DFP Staff

ORONO, Maine -- About five minutes into the second period of what ended up being a wild game between two Hockey East rivals, Boston University sophomore forward Alex Chiasson was sprung for a breakaway toward the University of Maine net. Already up 1-0, Chiasson had a chance to extend the Terriers’ lead on the road in one of the most difficult barns in the conference during the 2010-11 season. He sped in on Maine goalie Shawn Sirman, moved the puck over to his backhand and promptly shoved the puck into the goalie right leg pad.

“That could have been a game-changer right there,” Chiasson reflected after the game.

What followed the missed opportunity can be described in any number of ways, but perhaps offensive onslaught is both the most alliterative and appropriate.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

Offense: B+
Any time you score four goals, you're probably going to get a pretty good grade. For the first two periods, the Terriers matched the Black Bears chance for chance as the two teams treated spectators to an exhibition in up-and-down, entertaining hockey. After falling behind 3-1, the BU offense remained persistent and scored two goals in 28 seconds midway through the second to tie the game up and another early in the third to the lead for good. The key to all three of those goals was guys finding open space in close -- all three shots came from the slot or closer. The Terriers did a good job throughout the game of not shooting into bodies, as they only had five shots blocked on the night.

Defense: C+
It might seem like the defense was pretty good outside of that 1:12 stretch early in the second when Maine scored three times, but in reality, it struggled all night. The Black Bears registered an astounding 24 grade-A chances in the game. Moreover, just five of Maine's 61 shot attempts came from wide of the faceoff dots. In short, the Terriers didn't do a good enough job of keeping the Black Bears on the periphery and not allowing them to enter the grade-A area.

By Arielle Aronson/DFP Staff

ORONO, Maine -- Earlier in the month, Boston University senior captain Joe Pereira said the month of January would determine whether BU was too young or ready to play. On Friday night, the No. 16 Terriers proved they were very ready to play and win over the No. 12 University of Maine. Despite a Black Bear barrage of three goals in 1:12, the Terriers clawed their way back to a 4-3 victory.

“We’ve had a lot of games where we’ve been down and come back,” BU coach Jack Parker said. “We wouldn’t have won this game last year, I’ll tell you that. This team has been competitive all year long.”

Junior forward Corey Trivino started the scoring for the Terriers at 11:52 in the first period. Trivino gathered a puck at the blue line and outhustled a Maine defender into the zone and toward the net, where Trivino finished with a simple flip of the puck over the blocker.

All photos by U-Jin Lee/DFP Staff

Final: BU 4, Maine 3

By Sam Dykstra/DFP Staff

Four games in eight days don’t give you much time to rest. Playing three of those four games against nationally ranked teams doesn't make matters any better.

So following a week in which it went 2-2 – including losses to No. 2 Boston College and No. 14 Merrimack College and a road win over No.7/8 University of New Hampshire – the No. 16 Boston University men’s hockey team would seemingly have had a chance to catch a breather in their week off following its difficult stretch.

Unfortunately for the Terriers, things don’t get much easier following said break when they take on No. 11/12 University of Maine for a pair Friday and Saturday up at Alfond Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. in both games.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

At least one current Terrier disagrees with Andrew Glass' assertion that his dismissal from the team was unjustified.

The player, who wished to remain anonymous, said via text message that there were "multiple reasons" for Glass' dismissal and that it was "more than just 1 or 2 things." He said Glass doesn't seem to understand that.

"I think he still has no idea why he got kicked off the team," the player said. "Easy for everybody else to follow the rules."

The player said BU coach Jack Parker told Glass at the end of last season that he should transfer if he couldn't abide by team rules. As for the ratings at the end of the season that Glass talked about, the player said Glass neglected to mention that his teammates ranked him in the bottom five in the best teammate category both years he was at BU.

The player said the problem with the optional lift the Monday before winter break wasn't that Glass missed it; it was that he didn't tell anyone he was going to miss it. The player said everyone on the team got a text about the lift by 10 a.m., so there was plenty of time for Glass to let someone know by the time it started at 1:30 p.m.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

On Jan. 7, The Daily Free Press reported that Boston University men’s hockey coach Jack Parker had dismissed junior forward Andrew Glass from the team for “missing meetings and being late.” According to Glass, though, Parker’s reasons are not accurate and his dismissal is not justified.

For starters, Glass said he never missed a meeting. He did admit that he was late for two meetings during the week leading up to BU’s Dec. 11 game at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

“I was in the trainer’s room and was several minutes late for one meeting and 10 minutes late for another meeting,” Glass said in an email to The Daily Free Press. “However, late is late and I accept that responsibility. Coach Parker addressed me during the week and said ‘to not let it happen again.’ I told him that it wouldn’t happen again and that was the entire conversation.”

By Sam Dykstra/DFP Staff

Following a week in which the Boston University men’s hockey team lost to higher-ranked conference opponents Merrimack College and Boston College in consecutive 3-2 games before pulling out a 2-1 road win over a No. 7 team in University of New Hampshire, it’d be easy to justify any movement – upward, downward or none at all – in the national polls this week for the Terriers.

The answer to just how the national pollsters would view a 1-2 week against ranked rivals came Monday, when BU (11-7-6, 8-5-4 Hockey East) dropped one spot to No. 16 in the USCHO.com poll and remained unranked in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll, which only gives rankings to teams in its top 15 spots.

In the PairWise rankings – a system similar to the one used by the NCAA Selection Committee – the Terriers stand tied for 17th with Colorado College and the University of Maine, BU’s opponent for a pair of road games this weekend.

For more, click over to dailyfreepress.com.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

DURHAM, N.H. – Coming off a pair of 3-2 losses to No. 13 Merrimack College and No. 3 Boston College, the No. 15 Boston University men’s hockey team was in desperate need of a win heading into Saturday night’s contest at No. 7 University of New Hampshire.

The Terriers got just what they needed, beating the Wildcats 2-1.

Junior goalie Kieran Millan led the way with a spectacular 38-save performance, while freshman center Charlie Coyle and sophomore winger Ross Gaudet each netted goals in the second period.

“I think you can’t underestimate how much we needed two points tonight, whether it was home or away,” BU coach Jack Parker said after the game. “If we were playing the Little Sisters of the Poor, we needed to get two points. The fact that we played UNH and beat them up here is even nicer. It gives us some momentum and makes us feel better about staying in the hunt for home ice.”

Read more at dailyfreepress.com.

By Sam Dykstra/DFP Staff

DURHAM, N.H. – Moments after he had used everything in his arsenal to hold back the second-best offense in Hockey East, Kieran Millan reflected on his 38-save performance in No. 15 Boston University’s 2-1 win over No. 7 University of New Hampshire on his way out to the team bus after the game. With his pads slung over one shoulder and a scarlet jacket clutched in his usual glove-hand, the junior netminder took on a barrage of questions from reporters.

That is, until he was interrupted by BU coach Jack Parker, who had a few words of warning to his goalie.

“Put a coat on before you leave the building. I don’t need you getting sick on me.”

The moment said enough about how the 38-year Terrier bench boss felt about Millan’s recent streak of successful outings, none of which may have been bigger than Saturday night’s performance. Making his third straight start against a ranked opponent in five days, Millan was seemingly up to the task at every turn, especially late in the game when he made saves on all of the Wildcats’ 24 shots over the game’s final 35 minutes.

Read more at dailyfreepress.com.

All photos by U-Jin Lee/DFP Staff

By Arielle Aronson/DFP Staff

Offense: B

It would be easier to grade the Terrier offense if we split the game in half. The BU offense looked good in the first period. The Terriers controlled play, got 13 shots on net and had multiple good looks on DiGirolamo. The only negative of the first period was that BU did not score. In the second period, BU struggled to keep up that same pace but made its shots count. The Terriers scored twice in the second despite taking only five shots. After the second BU goal, UNH really increased the pressure on BU, and the Terriers had enough trouble simple clearing the puck out of the defensive zone, nevermind creating any offense. Throughout the game, however, BU did a decent job of getting men (and the puck) to the net.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

DURHAM, N.H. – Junior goalie Kieran Millan continued his stretch of great play as he made 39 saves to lead the No. 15 Boston University men’s hockey team to a 2-1 win over No. 7 University of New Hampshire at Whittemore Center. Sophomore forward Ross Gaudet scored what proved to be the game-winner with 7:17 left in the second.

Both teams had some quality chances in the first, as they combined for 23 shots on net, but Millan and junior netminder Matt DiGirolamo (23 saves) of UNH were the best players on the ice and kept the game scoreless heading into the intermission.

BU (11-7-6, 8-5-4 Hockey East) appeared to score midway through the period when sophomore forward Wade Megan batted a puck out of the air and into the net, but the referees immediately waved it off for a high stick and a review upheld the call.

All photos by U-Jin Lee/DFP Staff

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

Offense: B
Any time you get 32 shots against BC, that’s a good thing. The Terriers continue to be much more willing to put on shots from the outside, which is good, but they also continue to struggle to get traffic in front, which is not. Most of BU’s chances from in close came from the side of the net, not the top of the crease. Aside from Alex Chiasson, who had four shot attempts from the slot, the Terriers registered just three shot attempts from the slot. BU also missed the net too many times – 13 shots strayed away from the cage without being deflected.

Defense: B+
The defense struggled in the first, as it frequently gave the Eagles too much time and space, but it got much better as the game went on. In the second and third periods, the Terriers did a much better job clamping down on BC and taking away options. They also blocked 21 of BC’s 58 shot attempts, including an astounding nine of 20 in the second period. They also held the Eagles to just one grade-A chance in the second. BC didn’t really get any quality chances in the final two periods until BU had to start pushing it offensively late in the third to try and tie the game.

By Jake Seiner/DFP Staff

For much of the No. 15 Boston University men’s hockey team’s 3-2 loss to No. 3 Boston College, it looked as though the Terriers were going to overcome an early 3-0 deficit.

Along the way, several BU players put the Terriers’ rocky first period in the rear-view mirror with stellar individual performances. Freshman Garrett Noonan netted his first collegiate goal while continuing to assert himself as a legitimate Hockey East defender. Junior Chris Connolly netted two assists. Junior David Warsofsky scored a goal and put four shots on net. Senior Joe Pereira put six shots on goal –– including five in the third. Junior Kieran Millan put on a goaltending clinic, including the save of the season to rob Jimmy Hayes of a sure goal on a 2-on-1 break.

But seemingly every time something positive happened for BU, sophomore Alex Chiasson was in the middle of the play.

By Sam Dykstra/DFP Staff

If there’s ever a way a story could sound all too similar but yet different at the same time, then that would be the story of Friday night’s men’s hockey contest between No. 15 Boston University and No. 3 Boston College at Agganis Arena.

For the second game in a row, the Terriers found themselves in a 3-0 hole. And for the second game in a row, they nearly dug themselves out, closing the gap to 3-2. But again, the score held there, leaving BU just short of a potential comeback tie or victory.

“It’s hard to come back from down 3-2, and we’ve proven that to ourselves twice in a row now,” said BU coach Jack Parker.

By Jake Seiner/DFP Staff

Every season is filled with turning points –– key games and moments that, at least on the surface, appear to spark or diffuse the path a team is on with often striking clarity. Opinions may differ, but there’s no question the No. 15 Boston University men’s hockey team has had at least one big one this season –– a two-game sweep at the hands of a bitter rival –– and it sent the Terriers spiraling in the wrong direction.

Now, starting with the same opponent, No. 3 Boston College, the Terriers get the chance to reverse fortunes. BU will play host to their Commonwealth Avenue combatants Friday night at Agganis Arena.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

1) No. 3 Boston College (15-6-0, 11-5-0 HE)
The Eagles saw Maine snap their seven-game winning streak Sunday, but they are still the team to beat in Hockey East. BC leads the conference in offense (3.71 goals per game) and special teams (+15 net) and ranks second in defense (2.19 goals-against average). Junior forward Cam Atkinson leads the league in goals (17) and senior goalie John Muse is tops in save percentage (.930).

2) No. 7 University of New Hampshire (12-4-4, 10-1-2 HE)
After winning four straight to close out the first semester, the Wildcats have started the second half with a mediocre 2-2-0 stretch, most recently losing to No. 18 Dartmouth 5-4 on Saturday. They still rank second in HE in offense (3.50 GPG), fourth in defense (2.45 GAA) and third in special teams (+6 net). Senior forward Paul Thompson has emerged as a legitimate Hobey Baker candidate with a league-leading 33 points.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

NORTH ANDOVER -- The No. 15 Boston University men’s hockey team scored two goals early in the third to give themselves a chance to tie things up against No. 13 Merrimack College on Tuesday night, and the biggest reason the Terriers had that chance was the play of junior goalie Kieran Millan.

“I thought Kieran Millan played great,” said BU coach Jack Parker.

The Edmonton, Alberta native made one spectacular save after another to keep his team in the game. With Merrimack already leading 1-0 midway through the first, Millan robbed freshman forward Mike Collins with a big glove save on a 2-on-1.

Read more at dailyfreepress.com.

By Jake Seiner/DFP Staff

NORTH ANDOVER -- The Scarlet and White put up a fight, but in the end, two third-period goals weren’t enough to lift the No. 15 Boston University men’s hockey team over No. 13/14 Merrimack College last night. The Warriors skated away with a 3-2 victory.

“I don’t think either one of us played up to our capabilities,” BU coach Jack Parker said. “It was a decent hockey game for us, but it wasn’t the type of effort we need if we’re going to beat good teams.”

The Warriors (13-4-4, 7-4-3 Hockey East) netted the game’s first three goals, starting with a tally three minutes into the game. All night long, Merrimack outnumbered the Terriers at the BU (10-6-6, 7-4-4 HE) net, and the first tally was no exception. Junior defenseman Karl Stollery wristed a shot from the left point directly into a screen set by classmate Jeff Velleca directly off a four-on-four faceoff.

Read more at dailyfreepress.com.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

At No. 13 Merrimack College tonight. Versus No. 3 Boston College on Friday. At No. 7 University of New Hampshire on Saturday. At No. 10 University of Maine next Friday and Saturday. That is the daunting task staring down the No. 15 Boston University men’s hockey team to close out the month of January.

“I think we understand how important these next two weeks are for Hockey East and for the NCAA Tournament,” said senior co-captain Joe Pereira. “We’re playing to separate the boys from the men…These next two weeks are going to decide if we’re a good team or a bad team, if we’re too young or if we’re ready to play.”

That process begins tonight when the Terriers (10-5-6, 7-3-4 Hockey East) travel to North Andover to take on Merrimack at 7 p.m. Although the Warriors (12-4-4, 6-4-3 HE) are not a traditional powerhouse like BC, UNH and Maine, it would be unwise to think they are going to be any easier of an opponent.

Read more at dailyfreepress.com.

By Arielle Aronson/DFP Staff

As a junior co-captain and the third-oldest player on a very young team, Chris Connolly is obviously a special player for the No. 16 Boston University men’s hockey team.

In just his fourth game from his return from a broken finger, Connolly proved just how special he can be on none other than special teams for the Terriers. The 23-year-old forward scored both a power-play and shorthanded goal to propel Boston University to a 5-2 win over Harvard University.

Connolly did not waste much time in getting the power-play goal out of the way. Junior forward Corey Trivino dug a puck out of the corner and tossed it to freshman defenseman Adam Clendening, who drifted back to the point before finding Connolly through a seam, waiting and open by the right face-off dot. Connolly fired the puck past Harvard goaltender Kyle Richter only 20 seconds into the man-advantage.

By Sam Dykstra/DFP Staff

Offense: A

The Terriers tied their season-high for goals in a game by putting up a nickel against the Crimson. (BU has actually scored five goals in five different games during the 2010-11 season but has yet to score anything more than that.) Junior captain Chris Connolly led the way with two goals for his first multi-goal game of the season while sophomore forward Justin Courtnall stuffed home a wrap-around for his first collegiate goal in the third period. Senior Joe Pereira and sophomore Wade Megan rounded out the scoring for the Terriers. As bad as the three-win Harvard team has played this season, scoring on goalie Kyle Richter (2.50 GAA, .919 save %) has not been as easy as the team’s record would indicate. The biggest key to BU’s success in the offensive zone was the team’s willingness and ability to simply put shots on net, which resulted in a total of 37 shots. BU had attempted just 35 in its previous two games combined.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

The No. 16 Boston University men’s hockey team got exactly what it needed heading into its toughest stretch of the season – a confidence-building blowout win over Harvard University. Led by two goals from junior forward Chris Connolly, the Terriers cruised to a 5-2 win against the Crimson.

For the first time since Nov. 12, the Terriers (10-5-6) got on the board first in a home game. Bucking another bad trend of late, the goal came on a power play. Freshman defenseman Adam Clendening took a pass from junior forward Corey Trivino along the half-wall and skated back toward the point before threading a pass to Connolly in the lower right circle. The co-captain proceeded to deposit a one-timer into the cage for his seventh of the season.

The tally marked just the second time all season BU has recorded a power-play goal in consecutive games.

By René Reyes/DFP Staff

With Sidney Crosby out for his fifth straight game with a concussion just as the Pittsburgh Penguins came into town for Saturday’s matinee, the Boston Bruins seemed to be in prime position to cap off the week with their fourth win in six days.

But Pittsburgh center Jordan Staal tallied the game-winner at 3:25 of the third and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury turned aside a season-high 44 shots, as the Penguins (28-14-4) avoided another late-game meltdown and held on for a 3-2 victory over the Bruins (24-13-7) at the TD Garden.

“It was a tough battle,” Staal said. “They are a good team. They played a pretty solid game. I thought that [Fleury] stood on his head for us in the third.”

The Bruins peppered Fleury with a barrage of shots in the final frame but were unable to stage a comeback like they did on Monday against the same Penguins, when they scored four unanswered goals in the last four minutes and escaped Consol Energy Center with a 4-2 result.

By Jake Seiner/DFP Staff

If you’re a Boston University student, and you think you’re going to be busy next week when classes start, don’t go to a BU hockey player looking for sympathy.

Thanks to the postponement of Wednesday’s contest with No. 15 Merrimack College, the No. 16 Terriers late January schedule has transformed into quite the gauntlet. Next week, the Terriers will –– barring a second coming of the “Snowpocalypse” –– make up the contest at Merrimack, only to rebound for a pair of weekend matchups against No. 3 Boston College and at the No. 4 University of New Hampshire.

First, though, the Scarlet and White will do battle with its nearest neighbor to the north –– Harvard University. Game time is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday.

By René Reyes/DFP Staff

Rookie Steven Kampfer made a name for himself Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers. First, the Boston Bruins defenseman delivered a big hit on Flyers veteran Scott Hartnell in the third period. Then, the 5-foot-11 native of Ann Arbor, Mich., notched his first career game-winning goal with 1:14 remaining in regulation in a contest that saw the B's come back from three one-goal deficits and rally to score five times in the third.

The unexpected offensive contribution from Kampfer – who tallied just seven goals in four collegiate seasons at the University of Michigan – carried the Bruins (24-12-7) to a riveting 7-5 victory over the Eastern Conference-leading Flyers (27-11-5) before another raucous crowd of 17,565 at the TD Garden.

“I thought it was kind of a teeter-totter game there,” Kampfer said. “We didn’t play well at certain points, and they came back in the game and we battled back, and we got two points. That was huge for us against the No. 1 team in our conference.”

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

Boston University has landed Malden Catholic junior forward Brendan Collier, according to ESPNBoston.com. Collier has 10 goals and 18 assists in eight games this season for the No. 1 Lancers. He plays on the team's heralded top line that also includes University of New Hampshire recruit Mike Vecchione and Boston College recruit Ryan Fitzgerald.

The article did not say what year Collier committed for, but it would be 2012 at the earliest. BU coach Jack Parker was reportedly on hand for the Lancers' 3-0 win over New Jersey powerhouse Delbarton earlier this season.

By René Reyes/DFP Staff

Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron would not be denied of his first career NHL hat trick Tuesday night against the Ottawa Senators.

Bergeron was credited with the Bruins’ fourth goal of the game at 14:07 of the second period, but after further review, the goal was rightfully awarded to forward Brad Marchand. Marchand’s centering pass from the left boards had indeed deflected off Senators defenseman Sergei Gonchar’s skate and into the net, and not off Bergeron’s, as it had initially appeared.

The B’s assistant captain, however, would eventually complete his hat trick at the 5:04 mark of the third period, as his three-goal performance led the Bruins (23-12-7) to a resounding 6-0 victory over their lowly Northeast Division rival Senators (16-21-6) before a sellout crowd of 17,565 at the TD Garden.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

I had just started writing my preview of the Merrimack game when I got the email that it was canceled. No reason to preview a game that is now a week away, but we got some good stuff from Parker today that is unrelated to Merrimack, so I decided to post some of those transcripts anyway. Parker's quotes are in italics.

After Sunday's lackluster 4-2 win at Vermont, Parker said his team "can't seem to get ready for games or care that much to give us an effort for 60 minutes." Last year, he made similar statements and one of the reasons he kept citing for it was a lack of leadership from the upperclassmen. But this season, he has said all year that he has been happy with the leadership. In fact, when we brought it up today, he interrupted us with, "Real happy with our leadership." So what is causing it this year?

I think it’s just some immaturity. I think it’s some guys, certainly not the upperclassmen, but some of the sophomores and maybe a few of the freshmen thinking that we’re going to play volleyball instead of getting ready to play a game. I already talked to the sophomore class to see if I can get some of those guys on the right page.

The Boston University men's hockey game at Merrimack College on Wednesday, Jan. 12, has been postponed due to the incoming weather, the school announced. The game has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Sophomore defenseman Max Nicastro has been suspended by the team for Wednesday’s contest against No. 15 Merrimack College for his actions in Boston University’s 4-2 win at the University of Vermont, according to BU coach Jack Parker.

Nicastro was handed a 10-minute misconduct for shoving a dislodged net in the direction of an official during the third period of the Vermont game. Freshman Patrick MacGregor will fill in along the blue line.

Nicastro has 2 goals and 2 assists in 20 games played this season, and has 5 goals and 19 assists in 57 career games with the Terriers. The Thousand Oaks, Calif. native was a third-round selection (91st overall) by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

BURLINGTON, Vt. – After two periods of Sunday night’s 4-2 win over the University of Vermont, the No. 14/15 Boston University men’s hockey team had just eight shots on net.

Although the Terriers were leading the Catamounts 2-1, it was plain to see that they were getting almost nothing done on offense. Sophomore defenseman Max Nicastro’s goal on a bomb from the point was one of the only shots taken from the point, never mind one of the only ones to get through to the net, and sophomore forward Alex Chiasson’s goal on a 2-on-1 was one of just a few real quality scoring chances.

It was perhaps the best example of a problem that has been plaguing BU for the last two months- getting too cute and not shooting enough. Instead of getting bodies to the front and throwing shots on net for a tip, screen or rebound, the Terriers wait for the perfect shot that rarely comes.

By Sam Dykstra/DFP Staff

BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Both on paper and on the ice, the No. 14/15 Boston University men’s hockey team probably shouldn’t have won Sunday.

It set a season-low for shots en route to being routed in that category to the tune of 31-16. Seven penalties against meant that the Terriers’ opponents had ample chances with the man advantage compared to just three of their own. Throw that together for a team that had won just twice since Halloween, and it’d seem that BU should have been doomed for its fourth straight game without a win.

But then again, the game came against lowly University of Vermont, a team that found itself ninth in Hockey East entering Sunday’s game against the third-place Terriers.

And thus, the Terriers (9-5-6, 6-3-4 HE) found a way to do just enough to edge the cellar-dwelling Catamounts (3-11-4, 1-6-3 HE) by a score of 4-2 in Gutterson Fieldhouse thanks to two timely goals by sophomore Alex Chiasson, including BU’s first power-play goal since Dec. 8 against Northeastern University, and high-quality netminding from junior Kieran Millan (29 saves).

By Jake Seiner/DFP Staff

Looking to rebound from a disappointing 0-1-1 result at the Shillelagh Tournament last weekend, the No. 14/15 Boston University men’s hockey team will travel to Burlington, VT Sunday for a Hockey East showdown with the University of Vermont. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

If the stats are any indication, the contest between the Terriers (8-5-6, 6-3-4 HE) and Catamounts (3-10-4, 1-6-3) should be competitive, especially where special teams are concerned.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

Junior forward Andrew Glass has been dismissed from the Boston University men's hockey team, according to coach Jack Parker. Parker suspended Glass indefinitely prior to last weekend's Shillelagh Tournament for "missing meetings and being late."

After today's practice, Parker added that "it's a whole bunch of things" when asked if this is a similar situation to the one that caused him to bench Glass for last year's season opener. At the time, Parker said Glass "broke team rules."

At the end of today's practice, Parker said the suspension was still indefinite. In the hours since then, he has decided to make the suspension permanent.

Glass came to BU as a seventh-round draft pick of the Washington Capitals. The Wrentham native contributed two goals and an assist in 15 games as a freshman on the 2008-09 national championship squad, but followed that up with just two points as a sophomore. Glass was off to a better start this season, registering two goals and three assists in 15 games to tie him for 10th on the team in scoring.

By Luke Coughlan/DFP Staff

The Boston Bruins had never beaten the Minnesota Wild at home coming into their contest at the TD Garden on Thursday evening. Some things never change.

The Bruins (21-12-6), suffered a 3-1 loss to the Wild (20-15-5), despite getting 31 saves from goaltender Tuukka Rask between the pipes. The loss is their sixth in as many games against the Wild at the Garden, and drops the Bruins’ all-time record versus the Wild to 2-9-0.

The Bruins brought a 1-1 tie into the third period only to see the Wild go ahead on a Marc Savard turnover to Cal Clutterbuck deep in the Bruins’ zone that the Minnesota forward wristed over Rask’s left shoulder.

By Sam Dykstra/DFP Staff

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Before the puck had even dropped on the consolation game of the Shillelagh Tournament, the No. 10/11 Boston University men’s hockey team was already short-handed.

Freshman phenom Charlie Coyle didn’t travel with the team to the Chicago area because he’s off leading Team USA in points in the World Juniors Championship over in Buffalo. Junior winger Andrew Glass didn’t make the trip either after he was suspended indefinitely for missing team meetings. Sophomore forward and team-leading scorer Alex Chiasson had planned to play, but a bad bruise on his left knee left nearly unable to walk early Sunday morning.

So instead of playing with their three regulars, the Terriers were forced to play with just 11 forwards – BU coach Jack Parker chose to dress a seventh defenseman, Patrick MacGregor who didn’t see any ice time, instead of a 12th forward – in Sunday’s 3-3 tie with tournament host No. 12 University of Notre Dame.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- The No. 10/11 Boston University men’s hockey failed to hold onto a two-goal third-period lead and had to settle for a 3-3 tie against the No. 12 University of Notre Dame in Sunday’s Shillelagh Tournament consolation game. The Fighting Irish won the shootout to take third place in the tournament, but the game will go down as a tie for NCAA purposes.

Through two periods, it looked like the game was going to be a much needed bounce-back win for the Terriers (8-5-6), who suffered a 6-1 shellacking at the hands of Brown University in Saturday’s tournament opener. Despite being outshot 21-9 through two frames, the Terriers held a 3-1 lead heading into the third.

“I was really pleased that we competed and we played harder and we played a lot smarter,” said BU coach Jack Parker. “We were the opposite. We outshot the team the other night, badly, and lost. Tonight, we got outshot, but played pretty hard.”

BREAKING NEWS: Sophomore forward Alex Chiasson will miss Sunday's game against Notre Dame with a left knee contusion suffered in yesterday's 6-1 loss to Brown. BU will dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards to fill out Sunday's lineup. Check the live blog between games for the full line chart.

Championship final - Minnesota State 7, Brown 3
Consolation - BU vs. Notre Dame, 6 p.m. ET

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Regardless of how the Terriers finished the first semester or how disappointing some of their results were, one thing they could take pride in was that they never rolled over and played dead. Even if they didn’t come back for the win or even a tie, they at least kept competing and didn’t quit.

In Saturday night’s 6-1 loss to Brown University, that wasn’t the case.

“It was a pretty good hockey game until they made it 2-1,” said BU coach Jack Parker. “Then we just kind of deflated. I thought our compete level was 80 percent of Brown’s compete level. They went after us and kept after us and won every battle.”

Echoing audio clips that became all too common last season, Parker couldn’t find an explanation for why his team didn’t fight back.

“I thought we competed like heck when we got behind in the past,” he said. “The beginning of the game, we were down and we came back. I have no idea what happened.”

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

Boston University junior forward Andrew Glass has been suspended for the Shillelagh Tournament, according to a source close to the team. Glass did not travel to Illinois with the team, but no reason has been given for the suspension yet. It's also unclear at this time if the suspension is only for this weekend or if it will be longer.

By Sam Dykstra/DFP Staff

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- New year, same problems.

Due mostly to untimely mistakes caused by the leaky defense and poor goaltending that plagued it heading into the end of the previous calendar year, the No. 10/11 Boston University men’s hockey team fell 6-1 to Brown University in the opening game of the Shillelagh Tournament in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Saturday. The Terriers (8-5-5) will play No. 12 University of Notre Dame, who fell to Minnesota State University-Mankato 4-3 in the other first-round matchup, in Sunday’s consolation game at 6 p.m. EST.

“I was really disappointed with my team tonight. From goaltender on out,” said BU coach Jack Parker.

In their first game following three winter break practices in which the team focused exclusively on the penalty kill, the power play and defensive coverage, the Terriers struggled the most in the latter category.