The Road to the Repeat: Part 2/4

Highlighting the Terriers Offensive Attack



by Chris Aliano

The greatest area of concern for the 2009-10 Terriers lies up front. Colin Wilson, Brandon Yip, Chris Higgins, Jason Lawrence, John McCarthy - all gone. Four of the top five scorers from last year have departed, and five of the top six when you factor in Matt Gilroy’s contribution from the blue line. The lone man standing and expected to lead the charge is junior assistant captain Nick Bonino (’11).

Often hidden beneath the shadows of Wilson and the senior class, Bonino (’11) managed to put up excellent numbers as the team’s second-line center. Paired with Yip and McCarthy, Bonino amassed 50 points on 18 goals and 32 assists. He’ll be expected to at least match that output, but he won’t be alone.

Returning with him will be an impressive trio of sophomores who matured earlier than anticipated, and wound up being the X-factor on a roster headlined by the senior class. Sophomore Chris Connolly ('12), sophomore Corey Trivino ('12) and sophomore Vinny Saponari ('12) were paired together, comprising the team’s third line and bringing with them an under-appreciated and overlooked work ethic.

Connolly ('12), arguably the fastest skater on the ice, garnered 30 points on 10 goals and 20 assists. Trivino ('12), who struggled with injuries early on but shined during the final month of the season, is a talented center who made great strides toward finally getting acclimated to the collegiate game. Saponari ('12), one of the more entertaining skaters on the ice, is a fiery forward who never relents.

Was it any coincidence this line was on the ice when junior defensemen Colby Cohen ('11) scored the game-winner in the national championship? I think not. They came onto campus and joined a team with monumental expectations and immense potential, and wound up contributing just as much as any of the seniors. If the Terriers plan on matching, or at least coming close to last year’s success, much of that will ride on how these three continue to develop on the ice.

With the past two recruiting classes proving to be all they were advertised to be, it would be fair to say this year’s freshmen class has some pressure on them to match the output of the last two. Headlining the class is Alex Chiasson (’13), drafted in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft by Dallas. The 6-3, 190 pound forward will be should contribute immediately. He has the skill to excel at the collegiate level, and should be a mainstay in the starting roster all year long. Wade Megan (’13) was also selected in the draft by Detroit in the third round, and the center should see plenty of ice time as well. Rounding out the list of incoming forwards are Ryan Santana (’13) and Justin Courtnall (’13), who will fight to see ice time.

Rounding out the group of returning forwards are Zach Cohen (10), Joe Pereira ('11), Luke Popko ('10), Kevin Gilroy ('12), Andrew Glass ('12), Ross Gaudet ('12) and Victor Saponari ('11).

Cohen ('11) was one of the heroes and pleasant surprises from last season. He quietly picked up 18 points on 5 goals and 18 assists, none of them bigger than the goal he scored with just under a minute to go in the championship game to bring BU within one. Expect him to play a bigger role this year.

Gilroy ('12) and Glass ('12) were contributors on the fourth line last season, especially after Pereira ('11) went down with a freak-spleen injury in the Hockey East tournament. Popko ('10), one of the veterans and holder of the longest streak for consecutive games started among active players, will carry greater responsibilities as a senior.