Wilson’s Return is One to Remember
By: Nathaniel Lowenthal
Colin Wilson played his first hockey game in Boston since March 21 last night at the TD Garden. This time, however, he was not in scarlet and white for the Boston University Terriers, but navy blue, silver, and gold for the Nashville Predators. Though the Terriers could certainly use him right now, it was evident from the stands that Wilson made the right decision in turning pro.
Playing in his fifth career game at left wing for Nashville, Wilson notched his first career point with a goal in the 2nd period. Wilson helped start an odd man rush in the Nashville defensive zone with Patric Horqvist taking the puck from the neutral zone to the offensive zone along the right sideboard. Horqvist then fired a shot that hit off of Burins goaltender Tim Thomas. Thomas however was not able to control the puck, as it trickled behind him stick side. Wilson was there and right before the puck was about to cross the goal line, Wilson tipped it in for the score. The tally came with 13:43 to go in the period.
It was fitting that his first career NHL point came in Boston, considering the success he had as a Terrier and in the TD Garden. Last year in the Garden, Wilson netted an insurance goal in the Terriers 5-3 victory over the Northeastern Huskies in the Beanpot and helped BU secure it’s 29th Beanpot title. Wilson found the back of the net again scoring a goal in the Hockey East semi-final against BC as well. As a result, Wilson was able to lift another trophy, the Hockey East Championship, around the Garden as well. Both Terrier banners are currently hanging with the jersey numbers of Boston legends such as Larry Bird and Ray Bourque.
As the game progressed, so did Wilson’s ice time. Though he saw no special team action, Wilson saw his ice time increase throughout the game, with a good chunk in the third period. Tied at two for most of the period, Wilson showed why he deserved an NHL roster spot one day after celebrating his 20th birthday. Wilson was aggressive with the puck, starting multiple rushes just as he did in his Terrier days. Though he was not able to feed a pass to a teammate for a goal, like he did at BU with Jason Lawrence, Wilson set the Predators up for scoring chances multiple times in the third.
Down 3-2 with only a few minutes remaining, Wilson had a golden opportunity to notch his second goal of the night and tie up the game. Receiving a pass a few feet inside the blue line, Wilson took two strides and fired an open slap-shot at Tim Thomas. The puck sailed high and wide however.
Despite the missed opportunity and the loss, there were many positives to take from the game for Wilson. He finally got rid of the goose egg in the stats column and can now say he scored a goal in the NHL. He played physical hockey, and never looked like he belonged at BU or in the AHL, with sharp skating and good passing.
After attending his alma mater’s hockey game against Notre Dame, many former Terrier teammates returned the favor to Wilson last night. Among the current Terriers in attendance were Adam Kraus, Vinny Saponari, Corey Trivino, and Joe Pereira, in addition to fellow alum Brandon Yip.
Colin Wilson played his first hockey game in Boston since March 21 last night at the TD Garden. This time, however, he was not in scarlet and white for the Boston University Terriers, but navy blue, silver, and gold for the Nashville Predators. Though the Terriers could certainly use him right now, it was evident from the stands that Wilson made the right decision in turning pro.
Playing in his fifth career game at left wing for Nashville, Wilson notched his first career point with a goal in the 2nd period. Wilson helped start an odd man rush in the Nashville defensive zone with Patric Horqvist taking the puck from the neutral zone to the offensive zone along the right sideboard. Horqvist then fired a shot that hit off of Burins goaltender Tim Thomas. Thomas however was not able to control the puck, as it trickled behind him stick side. Wilson was there and right before the puck was about to cross the goal line, Wilson tipped it in for the score. The tally came with 13:43 to go in the period.
It was fitting that his first career NHL point came in Boston, considering the success he had as a Terrier and in the TD Garden. Last year in the Garden, Wilson netted an insurance goal in the Terriers 5-3 victory over the Northeastern Huskies in the Beanpot and helped BU secure it’s 29th Beanpot title. Wilson found the back of the net again scoring a goal in the Hockey East semi-final against BC as well. As a result, Wilson was able to lift another trophy, the Hockey East Championship, around the Garden as well. Both Terrier banners are currently hanging with the jersey numbers of Boston legends such as Larry Bird and Ray Bourque.
As the game progressed, so did Wilson’s ice time. Though he saw no special team action, Wilson saw his ice time increase throughout the game, with a good chunk in the third period. Tied at two for most of the period, Wilson showed why he deserved an NHL roster spot one day after celebrating his 20th birthday. Wilson was aggressive with the puck, starting multiple rushes just as he did in his Terrier days. Though he was not able to feed a pass to a teammate for a goal, like he did at BU with Jason Lawrence, Wilson set the Predators up for scoring chances multiple times in the third.
Down 3-2 with only a few minutes remaining, Wilson had a golden opportunity to notch his second goal of the night and tie up the game. Receiving a pass a few feet inside the blue line, Wilson took two strides and fired an open slap-shot at Tim Thomas. The puck sailed high and wide however.
Despite the missed opportunity and the loss, there were many positives to take from the game for Wilson. He finally got rid of the goose egg in the stats column and can now say he scored a goal in the NHL. He played physical hockey, and never looked like he belonged at BU or in the AHL, with sharp skating and good passing.
After attending his alma mater’s hockey game against Notre Dame, many former Terrier teammates returned the favor to Wilson last night. Among the current Terriers in attendance were Adam Kraus, Vinny Saponari, Corey Trivino, and Joe Pereira, in addition to fellow alum Brandon Yip.
Labels: Brandon Yip, Bruins, Colin Wilson, Men's Hockey, Nathaniel Lowenthal
posted by Chris Aliano at
6:34 AM
1 Comments:
Nice piece Nate
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