It Only Takes One

Hockey East Tournament MVP Kieran Millan (CAS’12) posted 32 saves and Brandon Yip(CAS’09) recorded a late first-period goal to lead the top-seeded BostonUniversity men’s ice hockey team to its seventh tournament title in program history Saturdayevening. The Terriers skated past UMass Lowell, 1-0, at TD Banknorth Garden in the Hockey East championship game. The win improves the Terriers’ record to 31-6-4. The team received the top overall seed for the 2009 NCAAChampionship and will face Ohio State in the Northeast Regional inManchester, N.H., on Saturday, March 28, as announced on ESPN2 Sundaymorning.

For the second time in his career, Yip recorded a game-winninggoal in a league title game — he tallied one in overtime in 2006 topush BU past Boston College, 2-1. John McCarthy (CAS’09) and David Warsofsky (CGS’11) recorded assists on the goal at the 18:38 mark in the first period.

The Terriers’ penalty kill squashed all seven of the River Hawks’man advantages, including a 5-on-3 chance in the middle of the third.BU was whistled for another penalty with 1:52 remaining in regulation,and soon thereafter with an empty net, the River Hawks had a 6-on-4advantage. Still, BU’s defense held strong and pulled out the league’sthird-ever shutout in title-game history.

Millan was one save shy of his career-high of 33 and stoppedeverything that came his way, including a 14-shot barrage by the RiverHawks in the second period. The freshman stood tall and made the lastof his 32 saves with 1.5 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

Junior Nevin Hamilton turned in a strong 31-save performance forfifth-seeded UMass Lowell, which ends its season with a record of20-16-2 after entering the title game on a five-game winning streak.

Joining Millan on the All-Tournament Team were McCarthy, Matt Gilroy (CAS’09), and Colin Wilson (CAS’11). UMass Lowell filled up the other two spots on the squad with sophomores Scott Campbell and Maury Edwards.

Yip’s goal stood for the final 41:22 of regulation; hescored the game’s lone tally when he capped a three-shot flurry. Afteran initial shot from the left circle by Warsofsky was saved byHamilton, McCarthy’s rebound attempt went through the crease beforericocheting off the right post. The puck made its way to Yip, whoknocked it in at the top of the crease for his 19th goal of the season.

The Terriers set a new program record with the win — they are nowundefeated in their last 15 games (13-0-2) away from home. The previousrecord of 14 was achieved twice, most recently during the 2005–2006campaign.

BU, which has secured a top seed for the NCAAs, will be making its31st appearance in the national tournament. In all, four Hockey Eastteams qualify for the 16-team bracket, with Northeastern, Vermont, and New Hampshire joining the Terriers.

The Terriers take on Ohio State in the NCAA Northeast Regional on Saturday, March 28, at Verizon Wireless Arena inManchester, N.H., at 5:30 p.m. New Hampshire will face North Dakota at 2 p.m., and both contests will be broadcast live nationally on ESPN2.The two winners will meet in the regional final on Sunday, March 29, at5:30 p.m., which will be on ESPNU.