Terrier Icemen Head to Frozen Four

Evan Rodrigues (Questrom’15) scored the first goal in the Terriers’ win in the NCAA Northeast Regionals final, a victory that sent them to the Frozen Four. Photos by Richard T. Gagnon

After slugging their way through a comeback season with a string of wins that put them at number two in the nation, the BU men’s hockey Terriers are two games away from a national championship.

Tonight they go up against number three University of North Dakota at 8:30 p.m. at TD Garden, an arena the BU team is familiar with, in the second game of the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals. This year is just the second time BU has made it to the Frozen Four since 1997 (the first time, in 2009, the Terriers took the national championship).

“It’s been a magical season,” says second year head coach David Quinn (CAS’89), who was named Coach of the Year earlier this week by the New England Hockey Writers Association. “The guys can’t wait to get out there and play; they would play today if they could. At this point in the season, you can’t really work on much at practice. Playing hockey in April? It’s all you hope for. The buzz around this team is incredible.”

All eyes will be on Jack Eichel (CGS’16), one of three finalists for the 2015 Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the nation’s best college hockey player. (The winner will be announced Friday afternoon). The New England Hockey Writers Association has given Eichel the 2015 Leonard Fowle Award (Most Valuable Player), the George C. Carens Award (Rookie of the Year), and the Herb Gallagher Award (Forward of the Year). He is currently the nation’s leader in points (67), assists (43) and plus/minus (+49).

Assistant captain Evan Rodrigues (Questrom’15), second to Eichel in scoring nationally with 61 points, has been one of the team’s star players all season. Named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Northeast Regionals, Rodrigues delivered two goals against Minnesota Duluth on March 28, propelling BU to a 3-2 win in the final. His second goal came with just 2:24 left in regulation, as he beautifully toe-dragged around a Bulldog defender in the right circle and beat goalie Kasimir Kaskisuo glove side with a wrister for the late winner, a goal that left everyone in awe.

“He’s been great for us all year,” says Nick Roberto (CGS’15). “He’s a leader on and off the ice. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went out there and scored two more dingers. It seems like when the puck goes through him, good things happen, so we’re just going to keep doing that.”

Ahti Oksanen (COM’16) and Danny O’Regan (COM’16) have provided strong offense all season. O’Regan stole the show in the Terriers’ Northeast Regionals semifinal defeat of Yale with an overtime goal. Oksanen is tied for third in the nation in power play goals and fifth in goals per game.

But the Terriers know that it’s not just their offense that has gotten them to the 2015 Frozen Four. Leading the 12th best defense in the country, team captain Matt Grzelcyk (COM’16) and goalie Matt O’Connor (Questrom’16) hope to continue their success tonight. Grzelcyk, along with Eichel and Rodrigues, was named to the New England Hockey Writers Association’s All-Star Team.

Facing the Terriers on the other side of the puck tonight is North Dakota, ranked in the top 10 nationally in both defense and offense. The team leads the nation with 11 shorthanded goals, 3 courtesy of forward Drake Caggiula.

“They’re a hardworking team, really skilled,” says O’Connor. “I think we just have to be ready for a lot of off-angle shots, a lot of rebounds, and a lot of speed. We just have to be ready for everything they’re going to throw at us.”

This season has marked the biggest turnaround in the BU ice hockey program’s history. A year ago, the team was already a month into offseason, having posted the worst record in over 50 years, with only 10 wins. Now, the youngest team in Division 1 hockey is hoping for a storybook ending to its season.

“It’s been a huge turnaround,” says Cason Hohmann (Questrom’15). “We had a lot of freshmen come in this year, a lot of great guys, a lot of really skilled players. It was tough last year, only winning 10 games. This year, from the beginning, we knew we had something special. Coming to the rink every day, it’s been pretty fun, but we’ve still got a little more work to do.”

The Boston University men’s ice hockey team takes on North Dakota in the second game of the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals tonight, April 9, at 8:30 p.m. Prior to that matchup, Nebraska University Omaha will play Providence College in the first game, at 5 p.m. Both games are at TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, and both will be televised on ESPN2 and TSN2. The winner of each game will play in the NCAA championship game Saturday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m., also at TD Garden, and will be televised on ESPN and TSN2.

Emmanuel Gomez can be reached at mannygo@bu.edu.