The Boston University men’s hockey team didn’t get to this point in the season because they are a group of individuals. They have spent five straight weeks as the No. 1 team in the nation because they are a group of ‘Boston University hockey players’ ‘- coach Jack
Parker’s favorite way to refer to his athletes. They have four lines of physical, playmaking forwards, a trio of two-way defensive pairings and two trustworthy goalies.
But as they begin their final weekend set tonight at Providence College, the Terriers owe much of their success to the incredible play they have received from senior defenseman Matt Gilroy and sophomore center Colin Wilson. Gilroy and Wilson helped BU hoist the Beanpot Trophy in February, and with the Terriers riding a 14-game unbeaten streak, it looks as if both the team and its two biggest stars are in line to earn some more hardware once the postseason gets underway.
‘We have two Hobey Baker Award candidates because both of them look like they’re men playing with boys sometimes,’ Parker said. ‘Either one of them can carry this team at times.’
For much of the season, Wilson and Gilroy went about their duties quietly, making teammates better and helping the team win without grabbing much of the spotlight. There is still plenty of that team-first attitude evident on the ice because the best characteristic of each player is his instinct to look for teammates at every chance. As the Terriers gear up for what should be a lengthy postseason run, they will rely heavily on their stars on offense and at the blue line.
After an impressive rookie season netted Wilson Hockey East Rookie of the Year honors, he has improved in his second go-round. His 1.38 points per game ranks second in the nation, and he leads all Hockey East players in points (44) and assists (30). The statistics speak for themselves.
Perhaps more representative of Wilson’s effect on the ice is the success of his linemates, seniors Jason Lawrence and Chris Higgins. Lawrence is tied for sixth in the country with 20 goals scored, many of which have come off clean looks from Wilson. Over the course of the season, Wilson has developed a go-to move in which he races up either wing along the boards until he reaches the top of the faceoff circle and then immediately slams on the brakes, looking for a teammate slicing into the slot.
More often than not, Lawrence is there, stick held high over his head to rip a slapshot on net. Higgins, meanwhile, has already surpassed a career high with 35 points.
‘When his line is going, we have a real good team, and he’s the guy that really makes that line go,’ Parker said of Wilson. ‘There have been many times where he’s been the dominant force out there.’
Wilson is also the main cog in the Terriers’ dominant power play, which has hovered around a 25 percent conversion rate all season. The man-advantage flows through the 6-foot-2 pivot, as he sets up along the half-wall, draws the defense and sends cross-ice passes to BU’s point-men.
Gilroy, possibly Wilson’s biggest competition for the Hobey Baker Award, is one of the common recipients of those passes, scoring four power-play goals this year. His 28 points lead all Hockey East defenseman in scoring, but he hasn’t sacrificed one bit of defensive consistency to put together such a strong offensive season.
Gilroy hangs behind the play, always the last line of defense during odd-man rushes heading toward the BU net. Calm as can be with the puck on his stick, Gilroy rubs off attackers and pushes the action up the ice with ease in a seamless breakout.
As solid as Gilroy is on the ice, it is his role as one of three team captains that steadies the Terriers and keeps everyone at attention. By all reports, the 24-year-old has been the ultimate team leader since the season began.
‘Gilroy has been the drum major,’ Parker said. ‘He’s had an unbelievable season thus far. In previous years, he was more of an offensive defenseman who played OK defensively.
Now, he’s an offensive defenseman who’s real good defensively.’
With Gilroy and Wilson pushing the team to new heights heading into tonight’s matchup with Providence, BU has all the firepower it needs to keep the season going into April.
News & notes: Sophomore Nick Bonino’s NHL rights were traded from San Jose to Anaheim in a deadline deal Wednesday. ‘hellip; Bonino was named Hockey East’s Player of the Month for February. ‘hellip; Senior Steve Smolinsky will skate beside Gilroy in place of Brian Strait (knee).