Trips To France, Nebraska, Plus Rivalry Renewal Highlight Hockey Schedule
June 1, 2001 | Men's Ice Hockey
For the first time in program history, the Terrier hockey team will be travelling to Europe to play in an in-season tournament. There will also be a first-time trip to Nebraska, while the Terriers will renew their rivalry with long-time foe Cornell.
These are just some of the highlights of the team's 2001-2002 schedule that was released by head coach Jack Parker.
"In addition to our games against our Hockey East opponents, this year's schedule features something old and something new," said Parker, who will enter his 28th year as the Terriers' head coach with an overall record of 630-315-61.
The "something old" is the renewal of a series against Cornell.
During the Sixties and Seventies, there was no greater rivalry in college hockey than the Terriers against the Big Red.
During those decades, they met 10 times in post-season play, in addition to their regular-season meetings. Twice, they met in the NCAA tournament title game, and they split. In the 1967 tournament, Cornell skated off with the title after a 4-1 win over the Terriers in the championship game. Five years later, the Terriers blanked the Big Red, 4-0, to win their second straight NCAA crown. As it turned out, it was the last time a team has successfully defended its national title.
However, the two teams met only twice during the Nineties, and B.U. came away with a win each time. There was a 4-3 win during the 1993-94 season and a 7-1 victory during the 1995-96 campaign. This latter victory was the 500th win in Parker's coaching career.
"It is nice to have Cornell back on the schedule and rekindle the rivalry," said Parker.
The two teams will battle in a weekend series on November 23-24 at Walter Brown Arena.
The "new" includes a trip to Omaha, NE to play the University of Nebraska-Omaha on December 14-15 and then a trip to France to play in the Mont. Blanc Tournament from December 26-28.
"These are two big trips," said Parker. "Nebraska-Omaha has made huge strides as a team in a short time, and there is tremendous enthusiasm for hockey out there."
In addition, there will be two familiar faces on the UNO bench. David Quinn, the co-captain of the Terriers' 1987-88 team, and Tom Mutch, brother of former Terrier standout the late Kevin Mutch, are both on the Nebraska hockey coaching staff.
"The trip to France is the first time a B.U. hockey team has been across the Pond," Parker said. "It's very exciting, and it will be a great experience for the team.We'll be playing three tough teams, although the games won't count in our record."
In the tournament, the Terriers will be playing the French National Team, the Finnish National B Team, and the Norwegian National B Team.
"In all, we have a fabulous schedule," concluded Parker. The Terriers' 2001-2002 schedule
October 5: vs. St. Francis Xavier (exhibition); 13 vs. RPI; 20, at Vermont; 28, Merrimack November 2, Northeastern; 4, vs. New Hampshire; 9, at Maine; 13, at Yale; 17, at Boston College; 20, at Harvard; 24-25, vs. Cornell December 1, at UMasss/Lowell; 7, vs. UMass; 8, at UMass; 20-21, at University of Nebraska-Omaha; 27-29, at Mont. Blanc Tournament January 4, at Northeastern; 6, Northeastern; 11, at Providence; 18, at Boston College; 20, vs Boston College; 25, at New Hampshire; 27, vs. New Hampshire; 30, at Merrimack February 1, at Merrimack; 4, Beanpot vs. Boston College; 8, UMass; 11, Beanpot vs. Harvard or Northeastern; 15, vs. UMass/Lowell; 16, at UMass/Lowell; 22, Providence; 23, at Providence March 1-2, vs. Maine
