Rape Charges Dropped Against Nicastro

Max Nicastro helps celebrate
 a goal against Merrimack
in 2010.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

In late February, Terrier Defenseman Max Nicastro was arrested for sexual assault on a female student at BU. He was suspended from the hockey team and was later kicked out of school. Today the charges were dropped by the prosecutor, but there was no real reason stated why the charges were dropped.

Former Terrier Colby Cohen tweeted this about the dropped charges:

"Great to see the charges dropped on Max Nicastro, very disapointed in the univ. for not taking the time to let the true facts come out. Not the hockey team at fault, they did the right thing only suspending him, University copped out by not waiting for the truth." -Colby Cohen

It really shows how fast people jump to conclusions.

It will be interesting to see the media coverage on this subject. The second Nicastro was arrested, all the major news outlets in Boston were reporting it. Like I said, it will be interesting to see who all comes out and reports that he is innocent after all.

Filling a Hole
At this time, I don't know if this means that Max will be back on the team next year. Right now I would say no, but things could change. If he does come back, it would greatly help the D with Clendening signing with Chicago yesterday. A huge hole needs to be filled. If Max comes back (again I don't know if he/theUniversity wants him to come back) it would only be for one year. I think it would be better for both parties involved (Max and the Hockey Team) to just move on.

If Nicastro does not return, recruit, Matt Grzelczyk will be one of two freshman defenseman on the squad in 2013. It is unknown who the second defense recruit is, but Marc Hetnik, a fall of 2013 recruit may jump a class and come this fall.

The Pipeline show is reporting that Kevin Roy, a Brown University recruit for next fall is "exploring getting out of his commitment and possibly playing for Boston University or Boston College, if possible." This is the main reason I want BU to keep an open scholarship for next season. Roy was the leading scorer in the USHL and was also the league MVP with the Lincoln Stars.

Hopefully, there will be more to come in the next few days about Roy and Nicastro. Also, BU's schedule will be released in mid June for those wondering. 

Clendening Signs With Chicago

Adam Clendening in a game at
Lowell last year.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

Today, Sophomore defenseman Adam Clendening decided to forgo his remaining two season's of eligibility at BU and sign with the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL.

After the World Junior Hockey Championships in late December, Clendening really picked up his game, not as much on the stat sheet, but with his overall play. He really took it upon himself to pick up the BU team following the departures of Corey Trivino and Charlie Coyle.

After Coyle's left in mid December, there was much talk about Clendening bolting to the OHL, but those rumors were put to sleep after Adam stated he would be back for BU's next game, a home game against Merrimack. True to his word, he was on the ice in Scarlet and White that night, and even picked up an assist in the Terrier’s 4-2 win.

In 77 games played at BU, Clendening posted 9 goals, 50 assists for a total of 59 points. Personally, I think he will be in the AHL next season, but who knows? Maybe the 'Hawks will call him up, either way, best of luck Adam, its been fun watching you run the point the last few years. 

*More to come on who may replace (or fill his spot would be a better term) in the coming days. 

Bourque Traded To Bruins

Chris Bourque scores the game
winning goal in the 2005 Beanpot
final in overtime to give BU a 3-2
win over Northeastern.
(Photo by Jim Davis) 

Yesterday, former Terrier Chris Bourque was traded by the Washington Capitals to the Boston Bruins for Bruins former first round pick Zach Hamill. Bourque played one year at BU, the 2005 season, where posted 10 goals and 13 assists in his lone season as a Terrier. 

Bourque reportedly left after his freshman season because of academic reasons. He was a drafted 33rd overall by the Capitals in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the bulk of his first few pro seasons in the AHL, before being called up to the Cap's in 2007. In 33 NHL games (2007-2010) Bourque has one goal, three assists, and 12 penalty minutes. Last season, Bourque lead the AHL in scoring with 93 points (27 goals, 66 assists, 73 games played) as a member of the Hershey Bears. 

Polesello Says No

Sam Kruker on St. John's
Prep.
(Photo by David Arnold)

According to USHR, 2012 recruit Robert Polesello has decommitted from BU and will not be on the roster this coming Fall. Polesello originally committed to BU back in the summer of 2009 when he was attending the Peach School in Ontario. In the 2010 USHL draft, Polesello was selected 7th overall by the Indiana Ice. Last season with the Ice, he racked up 15 goals and 16 points in 58 games played.

This now opens the door for 2013 recruit Sam Kurker to join next year's incoming class of freshman. Last season, Kruker posted impressive numbers with St. John's Prep. In 20 games played, Kurker amassed 32 goals, 28 assists for 60 points. Kurker was slotted 41st on the NHL draft board for this year's draft. Just this past week, the SJP alum was selected 134th over all in the USHL draft. Obviously he will not play for the Ice next season though, because he will be at BU.

So the 2012 recruit class should look as follows: Matt Grzelyck (USA U18), Matt Lane (USA U18) Sean Maguire (Powell River Kings, BCHL), Mike Moran (Victoria Grizzlies, BCHL), Wesley Myron (Victoria Grizzlies, BCHL), Matthew O'Conner (Youngstown Phantoms, USHL), Jarrid Privitera (Dubuque Fighting Saints, USHL) Sam Kruker (St. Johns Prep, MIAA)

One Tough Year

Hockey was for me this year both extremely fun and a huge disappointment all at the same time. It all started in late September (like it does every year) with the hopes of winning it all. In my case "It all" would have been the Mass High School Hockey Sate Championship. Of course there are other hopes and dreams with each new season: The chance BU wins the National Championship or the Bruins win the Cup being the main ones.

Last night's Bruins loss just poured salt into an already gaping wound of hockey pain this year. But before I get to that, lets rewind and start with my high school team. We (Medfield) had one of, if not the best seasons in program history. Winning the Try Valley League for the first time in six years and making it farther than any other Medfiled team ever had in the MIAA tournament. In the South Regional Semifinal (played in Bourne Ma) we lost 5-2 to Rockland, arguable the weakest team we played in the tournament. That loss started the streak of bad hockey (for the lack of a better word) luck that would soon fall upon me and whoever I would go to a game with.

Take BU for example. Following the dramatic Quarterfinal series with New Hampshire, nothing seemed to go right for any BU fan. BU would lose in the Hockey East Semifinals to Maine 5-3 and the next weekend their season would end in the NCAA tournament to West Regional host, Minnesota 7-3. The pain did not stop there. Oh no, that would have been too easy. In the West Regional final (which I happen to be at because I made the trip out to St. Paul to see the BU game) I was rooting for North Dakota, who is probably my second favorite college hockey team. Anyway, Minnesota waxed NoDak 5-2 leaving me with no team to root for in the NCAA's except for the one playing Boston College. 

Yeah. About Boston College. Every BU fan was clearly rooting against BC and of course BC wins the damn Tournament. Like there was and chance that they weren’t going to?

Ok, no more bitching about BC... On to the Bruins, my last hope for the year. Game One of their series with Washington was all but perfect. Chris Kelly's overtime winner immediately brought back my Stanley Cup Fever from a year ago. All was well in Bruins Nation, until Nickels Backstorm scored minutes into the second overtime of game Two at TD Garden, a game that I was at with my Dad. As the series shifted the Washington (home to some great BU moments i.e 2009 Frozen Four) and Zdeno Chara blasted the game winner past Braden Holtby with less than two minutes to play in Game Three, I really liked the B's chances in the series. Washington won Game Four, retying the series at two games apiece. Game five, another game in which I was at, ended in a familiar way for me: a loss. Tim Thomas gave up a goal to Alex Semin with less than two minutes to play that was eerily similar to the goal Kieran Millan allowed to Bill Arnold in the Beanpot Final back in February. 

As Tyler Seguin scored the game winner on a mini break a way in overtime of Game Six, it rebuilt my hope that the Bruins may in fact pull this series out. I guess it was not meant to be because three days later I found myself slumped in a plastic chair labeled "18" in section 302, row 13 of the Boston Garden, watching Joel Ward and the rest of his Washington Capitals teammates celebrate their Game Seven win. 

That slumped feeling, just sitting there, watching the opponent celebrate seems to be a reoccurring action that just keeps repeating it's self for me. The first time that it happened, was that night at the Beanpot, then the Maine game, then the Minnesota game, and then the three Bruins home playoff games I went to. It's a feeling that will undoubtedly come back, but for the mean time, I think a break from going to hockey games in my best interest. It seams that I'm incurably bad luck for whatever team I’m cheering for. 

My Stats for the year (Game that I saw a win-loss-tie)

BU

30 games, 18-11-1 (616.7%)

Bruins

3 games, 0-3-0 (0%)

Games at the Garden

6 Games, 1-5-0 (166.7%)

Terriers In The NHL Playoffs

Kevin Shattenkirk has been by
far the most predictive former
Terrier in these NHL playoffs
(photo by Matt Dresens) 

The NHL playoffs started about a week ago and we've all seen the goonerie in the Pittsburg-Philadelpha series and the closely contested Bruins-Capitals series, but what about BU alumni in the playoffs?

In that Cap's-Briuins series, there is one former Terrier. Tom Poti, a defenseman played three years at BU, has yet to play in the series, but is on the Washington active roster. Over in the Penguins-Flyers series, one former Terrier has seen action. Brian Strait played 12:01 in his first playoff game ever in the NHL for the Penguins, last night in a 10-3 win. In the Ottawa-New York series, Matt Gilroy has played in two of the four games, recording no point despite dumping 6 shots on goal.

Moving to the Western Conference, Kevin Shattenkirk has played some serious time in the San Jose-St. Louis series for the Blues. Currently, St. Louis has a 2 games to 1 lead in the series. Shattenkirk has picked one point and has registered one hit over three games. 

Moving to the Nashville-Detroit series. There are two Terriers in this series (kind of). Colin Wilson is on the active roster of the Predators, but has yet to see any action in the series. Brandon Yip, also on Nashville, has played in all for games, picking up an assist on the first Nashville goal in game one. 

The Best Team Never Had A Chance

Corey Trivino makes a play on a puck
in the neutral zone at BC in early
December.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

Prior to losing Corey Trivino and Charlie Coyle in the span of less than a week, BU had what I (an several others) considered the best team Nation. 

BU had just gone up to Orono and smoked Maine 5-1 in their own building. As the team headed into the holiday break, BU was riding high, winning seven out eight games against some of the top programs in the country. No one new that, that Maine game would be the high point of the year.

Just days after the game in Orono, Trivino was arrested for sexual assault and breaking and entering. Although the court dropped the sexual assault charges a few weeks ago, Trivino was kicked off the team. Just days later, Coyle abandoned the team and headed to the St. John Seadogs of the QMJHL. BU lost (at the time) 33% of its offense in less than a week.

Fast-forward to last night (4/5/12). Boston College waxed Minnesota in the National Semi Finals at the Frozen Four. With Coyle and Trivino, BU beat BC at BC twice. The Terriers out scored the Eagles 10-3 in two games at Conte Forum. Yes, BC did pick up a 6-1 win at Agganis in early December with both of them still on the roster.  Later in the year, BU took BC two basically double overtime (BC won with 6.4 seconds left in the first OT) in the Beanpot final... without Coyle or Trivino. 

The point I'm trying to make is that BU played BC a hell of a lot tougher than any team the Eagles have faced in their post season run thus far. That run will more than likely result in them beating Ferris State in the National Championship game, tomorrow night. 

During the month of January, (again, without Coyle and Trivino) the Terriers were ranked number one in the country. So, if a team without arguably it's two best forwards is ranked #1 in the Nation, how good could have this team been? We just don't know, they never had the chance to prove it.

BU still made the NCAA's for the first time in two seasons, but the question still comes up, What If? What if we had all of our guys? How far could we have gone? I tell you, I think I'd be reporting from Tampa right now if Charlie Coyle, Corey Trivino and Max Nicastro are all still on the roster.