Coyle ‘tricks Eagles in Charity Classic at WBA; $55K raised for ALS

Charlie Coyle scored a hat trick and Jay Pandolfo added two scores as BU defeated BC at a nearly packed Walter Brown Arena in the First Annual Comm Ave Charity Classic. The fund-raising event, which raised $55,000 for the for non-profit Compassionate Care ALS, was organized to honor the memory of former BC Sports Information Director Dick Kelley and Eagle footballer Ron Perryman, who succumbed to ALS and to honor Pete Frates who is now battling that disease.

In addition to former BU standouts, the Terrier line-up included Chris Bourque’s father, Hall of Famer Raymond, former UNH star Steve Moses, and Maine’s Will O’Neill, whose father, Bill O'Neill, was part of the blueline corps that led BU to ECAC Championships in 1976 and 1977 and the NCAA title in 1978. 

BU received strong goaltending from 2015 grads Anthony Moccia (15 saves) and Matt O'Connor (14 saves).

Some observations from one of our blog readers:
▪ Flashback to the days of old at Walter Brown - packed house, band rocking, all the familiar fan chants (minus the BC sucks)

▪ Partisanship was about 50/50

▪ Interesting to watch hockey, played by great players, when slap shots and checking are eliminated.  Slick passing and creative stick-handling  were on display, and the speed of the game was up-tempo.  Very entertaining.

▪ Anthony Moccia made some nifty saves in the first period

▪ At the end of the game, Pete Frates’ wife challenged everyone in the crowd to take the ice bucket challenge.  The event raised over $55,000 for ALS.

● GoTerriers.com recap
● Daily Free Press recap and Coyle feature
● WHDH TV report

● Boston Globe report

A great night at Walter Brown! BU wins the inaugural #CommAveClassic, but more importantly, over $55K raised for ALS. pic.twitter.com/pUOueYlBhL

— BU Athletics (@BUAthletics) July 11, 2015

Another great bu win vs bc at the #CommAveCharityClassic . Thanks to all who came out for a great cause

— Tom Poti (@TomPoti3) July 11, 2015

► Many Terriers from the 2009 championship team were unable to suit up for the charity classic, but they weren’t too far away, gathering on Nantucket for the wedding of Brandon Yip and BU alum Elizabeth Sleeper this weekend. Yip, who was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie team in 2005-06, scored the game-winning goal in two Hockey East championship games: 2006 (video) and 2009 (video).

All the BU boys at the Yip/Sleeper wedding, pretty much a reunion! This picture is a keeper! #sidewaysparker pic.twitter.com/RmLNE1HHn3

— Nick Bonino (@NickBonino) July 11, 2015

Looking back

While the turnout of 17,000 Sabres fans for the team’s Blue & Gold scrimmage on Friday was largely attributed to the debut of Jack Eichel, the Buffalo faithful also saw another former Terrier, Evan Rodrigues, in action, and he wowed the crowd with this shootout move.

E-Rod talked with the Buffalo News about why the Sabres were the right choice for him. 

Looking ahead

Back home after an unreal week in Finland! Thank you @usahockey and @IIHFHockey for a great experience! @JacobSemik pic.twitter.com/pdSYhz1zHC

— Jake Wise (@wisey871) July 11, 2015

Women’s Team

High-scoring wing Sarah Lefort prepares for her senior year and professional hockey in the future.