No. 2 men’s hockey has history in Frozen Four

It’s been six years since the team made it this far in the NCAA Tournament, which might seem like an eternity, but the No. 2 Boston University men’s hockey team is just two wins away from a national title. Two one-goal wins at the Northeast Regional have propelled BU back to the Frozen Four for the 22nd time in program history.

With so many appearances on the national stage, there sure have been some memorable moments for the Terriers (27-7-5, 14-5-3 Hockey East). From the run in the 1970s to the epic comeback in 2009, there has been no shortage of excitement — win or lose. Here’s a look back at some of the more memorable appearances:

1971 — The First National Title

The Terriers had played for a championship twice before, but finished as the runner-up both times. Led by captain Steve Stirling’s 70 points and John Danby’s 64, BU found itself back in the title game at the end of the 1970-71 season, this time against the University of Minnesota.

The Terriers jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Stirling capped off his season with two more goals, and BU had its long-sought national championship with a 4-2 win. Goaltender Dan Brady was named tournament Most Valuable Player for his efforts in net.

1972 — Back-to-Back Champions

Much like the 2015’s Frozen Four, the 1972 edition was played on Causeway Street. The Terriers not only made it back, but also had the chance to defend their title against Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Cornell University. BU made head coach Jack Kelley’s final year behind the bench one to remember.

Just before the semifinals started, Brady was injured, forcing netminder Tim Regan into the lineup. Although he had just nine games under his belt for the season, Regan stepped up when it mattered most. He combined to allow just one goal in the final two games, finishing with a shutout over Cornell.

1976 — The Gophers Get Revenge

How did a team that was led by future Olympians Mike Eruzione and Jack O’Callahan not win a national championship in ’76? Well, their future Team USA coach Herb Brooks might’ve had a little something to do with it in the 1975-76 season.

Unlike the 1971 Frozen Four, the Gophers defeated BU, 4-2, in the national semifinal game. A sloppy game from the start, the teams were involved in a large brawl just a little over a minute into the game. BU’s leading scorer Terry Meagher was given a game misconduct, and it was all downhill for the Terriers. The Gophers would win the game and eventually the national title.

1978 — Jack Parker Gets His First

Four tries and four failures. That was BU head coach Jack Parker’s experience in the NCAA Tournament. The fifth time in the 1977-78 season was a rousing success.

A team loaded with offensive talent, BU had five players with at least 50 points. Mark Fidler, BU’s eighth-leading scorer on the all-time list, finished the year with 30 goals and 35 assists. O’Callahan anchored the defense and chipped in a not-too-shabby 55 points. The Terriers began the year with an incredible 21-0 start and also had claimed the Beanpot title.

After rolling over Wisconsin in the semifinal game, BU defeated rival Boston College, 5-3, for the championship. Fidler, O’Callahan and Dave Silk were all named to the All-Tournament Team.

1991 — A Stunning Loss

The 1980s were nothing short of rough for BU, but the next decade saw a great resurgence for the program. The Terriers made a run into the Frozen Four in 1990, but fell short of the title game. In the 1990-91 season, though, a trio of Shawn McEachern, Tony Amonte and David Sacco powered BU to the championship game against Northern Michigan University.

But despite the strength of that team, it was not meant to be. In the third overtime of a wild, back-and-forth affair, Northern Michigan prevailed 8-7 over BU.

1995 — Back on Top

A team composed of eight future NHL players rolled over the competition and finished the 1994-95 season with a 31-6-3 record. Defenseman Chris O’Sullivan had an outstanding year at the blue line with 56 points, just one better than Mike Grier’s total.

BU’s regular-season excellence carried over into the NCAA Tournament, where the Terriers averaged over six goals in three games. The Terriers capped off the season with a 6-2 thrashing of Hockey East foe University of Maine for the title.

1997 — Missed It By That Much

BU’s run of success continued throughout the late ’90s, although the 1996-97 season ended just short of a title. Chris Drury, a freshman on the ’95 team, emerged as a major offensive force in ’97, scoring 38 goals and 62 points.

Defeating the University of Denver in overtime of the East Regional, the Terriers moved on to the Frozen Four. No easy task in the semifinal, BU matched up against the University of Michigan and former NHL goaltender Marty Turco. The Terriers edged the Wolverines 3-2 to advance to the national championship, only to fall to the University of North Dakota.

2009 — The Comeback

Arguably one of the best college hockey teams ever assembled, the 2008-09 BU team was loaded with talent throughout the lineup. From Matt Gilroy’s Hobey Baker Memorial Award-winning season at the blue line, to Colin Wilson’s 55-point sophomore year, the Terriers were primed for a national title. But even with such a strong bunch, it took a bit of magic to win the program’s fifth title.

BU first had to get through the University of Vermont in the semifinals, which it did in a roller coaster game. Chris Higgins and Wilson scored 1:13 apart late in the third period to seal a 5-4 win.

But as good as a comeback as that was, it pales in comparison to the one in championship game against Miami University. Down two goals with under a minute left, the Terriers scored twice with goaltender Kieran Millan on the bench. Zach Cohen got the Terriers within striking distance, and Nick Bonino tied it up with 17 seconds to go off a great pass from Gilroy.

Colby Cohen finished it off 11:47 into overtime when his deflected shot hopped over the netminder Cody Reichard.