Month: September 2010

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

Junior forward Corey Trivino and sophomore forward Alex Chiasson will both be suspended for the Boston University men’s hockey team’s exhibition game against the University of Toronto this Saturday as well as the first two games of the regular season, according to Terrier coach Jack Parker.

The Daily Free Press reported Trivino’s suspension on May 3 and Parker confirmed it the next day, but no length was given at the time. On May 6, the Free Press reported that Trivino and Vinny Saponari, who was dismissed from the team, showed up late to a mandatory bike ride that was punishment for a March 17 drinking incident that involved 13-15 players, including Trivino and Saponari. Parker said on Wednesday that there was a chance Trivino’s suspension could be reduced.

Also on May 6, the Free Press reported that another player who had not been named to that point would be suspended for a separate incident that occurred earlier in the season. Parker confirmed on Wednesday that that player was Chiasson and that he had broken team rules. Parker said he hadn’t named Chiasson or announced the suspension earlier because the punishment had not been decided yet.

Parker to miss exhibition game

Parker said he will miss Saturday’s game against Toronto because he has yet to receive medical clearance from doctors following heart bypass surgery over the summer, but that he hopes to be in back in time for the season-opening Warrior Ice Breaker Tournament in St. Louis on Oct. 8. He said he was “almost positive” that if he wasn’t back in time for the Ice Breaker, he’d be back in time for the Oct. 16 game against the University of Massachusetts.

“I feel pretty well,” Parker said. “Every day is getting better and better. … I feel 100 percent, but I haven’t gotten the OK from the doctor yet to go back to work.”

BU picked fourth in Hockey East coaches poll

For the second day in a row, the Terriers were picked to finish fourth in a preseason Hockey East poll — this time by the coaches. As was the case with yesterday’s media poll, they finished behind Boston College, the University of Maine and the University of New Hampshire, respectively.

Here’s the complete coaches poll (first-place votes in parentheses).

1. Boston College (9) 90
2. Maine (1) 80
3. New Hampshire 76
4. Boston University 59
5. Northeastern 54
6. Vermont 53
7. Merrimack 48
8. UMass-Lowell 33
9. Massachusetts 26
10. Providence 21

The Terriers have been picked to finish fourth in the first-ever preseason poll by the Hockey East Writers & Broadcasters Association. Junior defenseman David Warsofsky was named to the media’s preseason All Hockey East Team.

Boston College took the top spot, garnering 20 of the media’s 22 first-place votes. The University of Maine, which took the other two first-place votes, and the University of New Hampshire also finished ahead of BU.

Below are the complete poll results, as well as us Freepers’ individual ballots.

1. Boston College (20) 218
2. Maine (2) 190
3. New Hampshire 168
4. Boston University 141
5. Merrimack 127
6. Vermont 120
7. Northeastern 103
8. Massachusetts-Lowell 63
9. Massachusetts 44
10. Providence 36

F Cam Atkinson (Jr., Boston College)
F Stephane Da Costa (So., Merrimack)
F (*)Gustav Nyquist (Jr., Maine)
D Blake Kessel (Jr., New Hampshire)
D David Warsofsky (Jr., Boston University)
G (t)Alex Beaudry (Jr., Providence)
G (t)John Muse (Sr., Boston College)
(*) Unanimous selection
(t) Tie

The three of us (Scott, Jake and Sam) were fortunate enough to participate in this, so we thought it would be fun to see how our picks stacked up against the final poll.

Scott’s ballot
1. BC
2. Maine
3. UNH
4. BU
5. Merrimack
6. UVM
7. NU
8. PC
9. UML
10. UMass

F Cam Atkinson (BC)
F Stephane Da Costa (Merrimack)
F Gustav Nyquist (Maine)
D Blake Kessel (UNH)
D David Warsofsky (BU)
G Alex Beaudry (PC)

Jake’s ballot
1. BC
2. Maine
3. BU
4. UNH
5. UVM
6. Merrimack
7. Providence
8. UML
9. NU
10. UMass

F Stephane Da Costa (Merrimack)
F Chris Kreider (BC)
F Gustav Nyquist (Maine)
D Blake Kessel (UNH)
D David Warsofsky (BU)
G John Muse (BC)

Sam’s ballot
1. BC
2. UNH
3. Maine
4. BU
5. Merrimack
6. UVM
7. Northeastern
8. UML
9. Providence
10. UMass

F Cam Atkinson (BC)
F Stephane Da Costa (Merrimack)
F Gustav Nyquist (Maine)
D Blake Kessel (UNH)
D David Warsofsky (BU)
G Alex Beaudry (PC)

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

1) Boston College
2009-10 record: 29-10-3 (16-8-3 HE)
Finish in HE: 2nd (won tournament championship)
Key returners: Jr. F Cam Atkinson (30-23-53), Sr. F Brian Gibbons (16-34-50), Sr. F Joe Whitney (17-28-45), Jr. F Jimmy Hayes (13-22-35), So. F Pat Mullane (8-20-28), So. F Steven Whitney (7-21-28), So. F Chris Kreider (15-8-23), So. D Brian Dumoulin (1-21-22), Sr. G John Muse (2.40, .910), So. G Parker Milner (2.32, .909)
Key losses: F Ben Smith (16-21-37), D Carl Sneep (11-17-28), F Matt Price (5-11-16), F Matt Lombardi (7-7-14)
Notable freshmen: F Kevin Hayes, F Bill Arnold, D Isaac MacLeod
Coach: Jerry York

How they finished
The Eagles went 9-2-1 to close out the regular season and only got hotter once the postseason started. They won four straight against Massachusetts (2x), Vermont and Maine to claim their fourth Hockey East title in the last six years and then knocked off Alaska and Yale to reach the Frozen Four. BC made it look easy on the biggest stage, beating Miami and Wisconsin by a combined score of 12-1 to win its second national championship in the last three seasons.

Offense
BC returns eight of its top nine forwards and 77.2 percent of its goals from last year’s top-ranked offense. Most noteworthy among the returners is Cam Atkinson, who had three hat tricks in the team’s final 12 games and led the country with 30 goals on the season. A typical strong freshman class, headlined by first-round NHL pick Kevin Hayes, should have no problem replacing what little production the Eagles did lose. The only question on Chestnut Hill is whether or not last year’s leadership can be replaced. Ben Smith, Matt Price and Matt Lombardi formed one of the best captaincies you’ll see in college hockey, and if BC and BU have proven anything the last two seasons, it’s that the post-championship hangover is real and you need strong leadership to avoid it.

Defense and goaltending
The Eagles also bring back five of their top six defensemen and both goalies who saw regular playing time after ranking second in team defense last year. The leader of the defensive corps is Brian Dumoulin, a second-round pick who led the nation in plus/minus last year as a freshman with a plus-40 rating. Fellow NHL picks Philip Samuelsson (second round), Tommy Cross (second round), Patrick Wey (fourth round) and rookie Isaac MacLeod (fifth round) add to what should be, at least on paper, the best defensive unit in the league. Combine that with what should be (again, at least on paper) one of the top two offenses (along with Maine) and it would appear that a post-championship hangover is the only thing that could possibly derail the Eagles.

Scott’s poll
1) Boston College
2) Maine
3) New Hampshire
4) Boston University
5) Merrimack
6) Vermont
7) Northeastern
8) Providence
9) Massachusetts-Lowell
10) Massachusetts

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

The Boston University men’s hockey team has been ranked 14th in the preseason USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll.

The Terriers received 69 points, placing them fourth among Hockey East teams. Boston College was ranked first with 504 points, the University of Maine seventh with 281 and the University of New Hampshire eighth with 206. Three other Hockey East teams received votes without cracking the top 15 — the University of Vermont (28), Northeastern University (14) and Merrimack College (2).

BU’s first opponent of the regular season — the University of Wisconsin — was ranked 13th with 115 points. The University of Notre Dame, whom the Terriers could face on the second day of the season-opening Warrior Ice Breaker Tournament, received 43 votes and missed the top 15 by one spot.

Click here to see the complete poll.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

2) University of Maine
2009-10 record: 19-17-3 (13-12-2 HE)
Finish in HE: T-3rd (lost in tournament championship)
Key returners: Jr. F Gustav Nyquist (19-42-61), Jr. F Brian Flynn (19-28-47), Sr. F Tanner House (18-21-39), Jr. D Will O’Neill (8-23-31), Sr. D Jeff Dimmen (12-18-30), Jr. F Spencer Abbott (9-19-28), Sr. F Robby Dee (13-12-25), So. F Adam Shemansky (9-12-21)
Key losses: F David de Kastrozza (9-12-21), G Scott Darling (3.10, .895)
Notable freshmen: F Mark Anthoine, F Carlos Amestoy, G Martin Ouellette
Coach: Tim Whitehead

How they finished
The Black Bears went 12-2-2 from late November to early February, but then they backed into the playoffs on a 2-6-0 skid. They recovered from a Game 1 loss in the quarterfinals to knock off UMass-Lowell in three games and then beat BU in the semifinals. In the finals, they came out on the wrong end of a 7-6 overtime thriller against BC and just missed the NCAA Tournament.

Offense
The Black Bears are stacked on offense. They return 11 of their top 12 scorers, including each of their top seven, and 90.9 percent of their goals from last season’s second-ranked unit. Leading the way is Hobey Baker finalist Gustav Nyquist, who topped the nation with 61 points last year and is the odds-on Hobey favorite entering this season. Maine brings back six other players who recorded at least 25 points, too.

Defense and goaltending
Maine returns its top seven defensemen, but that group will have to be much better than its last-place ranking in the conference a year ago. Although the Black Bears have the potential to simply outscore everyone they play in up-and-down shootouts, better team defense will do wonders for any NCAA aspirations they have. Maine could also use better goaltending — Scott Darling, last year’s starter, ranked 10th in the league in save percentage and was dismissed from the team after the season. Rookie Martin Ouellette, a seventh-round NHL pick this summer, appears to have the inside track to the starting job and it’s hard to imagine him (or anyone else) not being able to improve on Darling’s numbers, especially if the defense provides more protection in front of him.

Scott’s poll
1) Boston College (Sept. 28)
2) Maine
3) New Hampshire
4) Boston University
5) Merrimack
6) Vermont
7) Northeastern
8) Providence
9) Massachusetts-Lowell
10) Massachusetts

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

3) University of New Hampshire
2009-10 record: 18-14-7 (15-6-6 HE)
Finish in HE: 1st (lost in tournament quarterfinals)
Key returners: Sr. F Paul Thompson (19-20-39), Jr. D Blake Kessel (10-28-38), Sr. F Phil DeSimone (10-27-37), Sr. F Mike Sislo (14-15-29), Jr. F Stevie Moses (6-18-24), Jr. D Damon Kipp (3-13-16)
Key losses: F Bobby Butler (29-24-53), F Peter LeBlanc (14-21-35), G Brian Foster (2.98, .908)
Notable freshmen: F Kevin Goumas, F Nick Sorkin, D Eric Knodel
Coach: Dick Umile

How they finished
After an incredible 10-1-2 run from mid-November to mid-January that put them firmly atop the standings, the Wildcats went just 4-4-3 down the stretch and barely hung on to win the regular-season title. Their struggles continued when they were upset by Vermont in three games in the conference quarterfinals. UNH blew out Cornell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, only to get blown out themselves by upstart RIT in the regional finals.

Offense
The Wildcats lose Hobey Baker finalist Bobby Butler and 35-point scorer Peter LeBlanc from last year’s third-ranked offense, but they bring back everyone else. Paul Thompson, Phil DeSimone and offensive-minded defenseman Blake Kessel all broke the 35-point plateau last season, making UNH one of just three teams (along with BC and Maine) to return at least three players who reached that mark. Mike Sislo, who led the team in goals two years ago, got off to a slow start last season but finished strong with 20 points in his final 17 games. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of production the Wildcats get from their freshman class, which is weaker than usual due in part to a number of recruiting violations.

Defense and goaltending
The biggest challenge for the Wildcats will be replacing Brian Foster, who put up solid stats while playing more minutes than any other goalie in the conference last year. Junior Matt DiGirolamo didn’t see a whole lot of time in net last season (just 92 minutes), but he did well in his limited appearances (3.24, .906) and appears to be in the driver’s seat heading into the season. In front of him, UNH returns all six starting defensemen, led by Hobey Baker hopeful Kessel. As long as the Wildcats get steady netminding, there’s enough talent here to keep them near the top of the conference and earn them a 10th straight NCAA bid.

Scott’s poll
1) Sept. 28
2) Sept. 27
3) New Hampshire
4) Boston University
5) Merrimack
6) Vermont
7) Northeastern
8) Providence
9) Massachusetts-Lowell
10) Massachusetts

By Sam Dykstra/DFP Staff

The Boston University men’s hockey team has announced a variety of changes to its 2010-11 schedule.

The only game to have its day changed was the Friday, Jan. 14 contest with Harvard University. That game has now been pushed back a day to Saturday, Jan. 15 at Agganis Arena.

The official times were also announced for the team’s three upcoming tournaments. The Terriers will start the Ice Breaker tournament in St. Louis at 6:30 p.m. against the University of Wisconsin. The consolation and championship games will be played that Sunday at 1 and 4 p.m. respectively.

In January’s Shillelagh Tournament in Illinois, the team will open with Brown University, not Minnesota State University as had been originally planned, at 4 p.m. on Jan. 1. The second round will be played the following day at 3 and 6 p.m.

The Beanpot’s championship and consolation games have also been changed to 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the TD Garden.

Here are the remainder of the time changes:
Dec. 3 vs. Boston College – 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 4 at Boston College – 8:15 p.m.
Jan. 8 at Vermont – 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 21 vs. Boston College – 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 11 at Massachusetts – 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 25 vs. Vermont – 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 26 vs. Vermont – 6 p.m.

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

4) Boston University
2009-10 record: 18-17-3 (13-12-2 HE)
Finish in HE: T-3rd (lost in tournament semifinals)
Key returners: Jr. F Chris Connolly (10-21-31), Jr. D David Warsofsky (12-11-23), Sr. F Joe Pereira (5-16-21), So. F Alex Chiasson (7-12-19), Jr. F Corey Trivino (4-11-15), So. D Max Nicastro (3-12-15), Jr. G Kieran Millan (3.15, .891)
Key losses: F Nick Bonino (11-27-38), D Colby Cohen (14-16-30), F Vinny Saponari (12-18-30), D Kevin Shattenkirk (7-22-29), F Zach Cohen (15-10-25), D Eric Gryba (4-6-10)
Notable freshmen: F Charlie Coyle, F Matt Nieto, F Yasin Cisse, D Adam Clendening
Coach: Jack Parker

How they finished
After being picked first in the Hockey East preseason coaches poll, the Terriers went a disappointing 4-9-3 in the first half. They posted a much-improved 12-6-0 record in the second half and knocked off Merrimack in three games in the quarterfinals, but their season came to an end with an underwhelming 5-2 loss to Maine in the semifinals. According to Parker, the team “pissed away” the season because of a “lousy attitude.” To borrow one of Parker’s favorite expressions, attitude will be everything this year.

Offense
The Terriers lose five of their top six scorers, including three of their top six forwards, but they still return three 20-point scorers and five other double-digit scorers. Second-round NHL picks Corey Trivino and Alex Chiasson and fifth-round pick Wade Megan, none of whom reached the 20-point plateau last season, will be expected to step up their games and produce like future NHLers. In addition to bringing back some talent, BU also brings in the most promising batch of freshman forwards in the conference — Charlie Coyle was a first-round pick this summer, Yasin Cisse was a fifth-round pick and Matt Nieto is projected to be a first-round pick next summer.

Defense and goaltending
BU loses three of its top four defensemen, but as is the case up front, there is still quite a bit of talent on the back line. David Warsofsky, a fourth-round pick, and Max Nicastro, a third-round pick, are both solid two-way players who should be in the discussion for best defensemen in the league. Rookie Adam Clendening, like Nieto, projects as a first-round pick in next year’s draft. In net, the Terriers return Kieran Millan, who will be counted on to play more like the goalie who was named NCAA Rookie of the Year two seasons ago than the one who ranked 11th in the conference in save percentage last year. Classmate Grant Rollheiser should see time between the pipes, too.

Scott’s poll
1) Sept. 28
2) Sept. 27
3) Sept. 24
4) Boston University
5) Merrimack
6) Vermont
7) Northeastern
8) Providence
9) Massachusetts-Lowell
10) Massachusetts

By Scott McLaughlin/DFP Staff

5) Merrimack College
2009-10 record: 16-19-2 (12-13-2 HE)
Finish in HE: T-6th (lost in tournament quarterfinals)
Key returners: So. F Stephane Da Costa (16-29-45), Sr. F Chris Barton (19-19-38), Sr. F Joe Cucci (8-15-23), Jr. D Karl Stollery (4-15-19), So. F Brandon Brodhag (10-7-17), Jr. G Joe Cannata (3.04, .902)
Key losses: D Pat Bowen (1-18-19), G Andrew Braithwaite (3.06, .902)
Notable freshmen: F Mike Collins, F Rhett Bly, D Brendan Ellis
Coach: Mark Dennehy

How they finished
The Warriors were one of the biggest surprises last year, finishing in a tie for sixth after being picked dead last in the preseason coaches poll. They were also one of the hottest teams down the stretch, ending the regular season on a 6-2-2 run. They pushed BU to three games in the quarterfinals, but ultimately came up short in their bid to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1998.

Offense
Merrimack returns seven of its top eight scorers and 88.1 percent of its goals from an offense that ranked fifth in the league last year. Leading the way will be French phenom Stephane Da Costa, who was named the NCAA Rookie of the Year and was a Hockey East Player of the Year finalist last season after pacing all freshmen with 45 points. His No. 1 wingman and the team’s leading goal-scorer, Chris Barton, is also back. Keep an eye on rookie and Boston native Mike Collins, who should be an everyday player.

Defense and goaltending
Joe Cannata will be counted on to be an everyday goalie this year after splitting time in net with the now-graduated Andrew Braithwaite the past two seasons. The process of Cannata taking over the reigns already began last year, though — he started 12 of the Warriors’ final 13 games. Merrimack brings back four starting defensemen in front of Cannata, led by Karl Stollery, who tied for the team lead in scoring by a defenseman last season after being named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team two years ago. The Warriors’ biggest challenge won’t be filling holes; it will be living up to the highest expectations in the program’s history.

Scott’s poll
1) Sept. 28
2) Sept. 27
3) Sept. 24
4) Sept. 23
5) Merrimack
6) Vermont
7) Northeastern
8) Providence
9) Massachusetts-Lowell
10) Massachusetts