New digs, same spirit

Last week I noted that Boston University, my Alma Mater and the cultivator of my intercollegiate athletic interest, was closing one door while opening another.

I am, of course, referring to the last game at historic Walter Brown Arena and the first game at Agganis Arena.

I was fortunate enough to have some time off to take the trip from one mess of traffic to another. Along the way I attended the WOBM Christmas Classic tournament championship, at the ridiculous-for-high-school Ritacco Center (hosting such big name acts as Bill Cosby and Ashlee "Don't you wish I was my sister, well me too" Simpson) in Toms River, NJ. The game featured two recruits of note: One guy going to some school called Rutgers and (more importantly) BU basketball recruit (and Rariton (NJ) high school star) Marques Johnson.

Note about Johnson. I previously posted my review of what I saw in the America East forum on basketballboards.net but it warrents repeating. Marques looks like a Wolff guard. He played solidly on defense, often causing havoc with Manchester guards. With his team down 15 before the start of the fourth quarter, Marques (clearly the team leader) didn't try to shoot the team out of the deficit by chucking up bombs. He drove, he cut, he slashed, he played tough D, he pressed, he clogged the lanes. He lead the team to victory. Rightfully so, he was awarded the tournament MVP at the conclusion of the game. He'll add excellent depth at the 1 or 2 next for the Terriers. I expect that he gets Shawn Wynn-like playing time his freshman year.

Then on New Years day, my girlfriend and I took in Liberty University shining the shoes of Seton Hall University (courtesy of free tickets provided by her Alumni Dad).

You know Liberty by it's oh-so-tolerant founder, president, and blow-hard, Jerry Fallwell.

Seriously, the game was rediculous. I don't even follow Seton Hall, but toward the end of the game I was rooting for the two walk-ons to come in the game. Even Junior Alex Gambino, who is about as agile a 7-footer as Chewbacca, got in the mix with a few points.

Interesting side note, Gambino is an alum of Long Island Lutheran, the same school as former Terrier and all-Last Man on the Bench team member, Jacob Kudlacz.

Then it was on to Boston for the real reason for the trip.

BU lost to #1 ranked University of Minnesota 2-1. BU's walk-on goaltender and Minnesota native Sophomore John Curry continued to impress by standing on his head in front of his state-mates. Walter Brown Arena's last mens game featured a post-game gathering of former Terriers. The groups attendence bolstered by the NHL/NHLPA debacle. Thanks Gary Bettmen!

The next night, with great fanfare, the brank-spankin' new Agganis Arena opened with BU downing U of Hockey 2-1. Junior Brad Zancanarro, who closed WBA with BU's lone goal the previous night, scored to open the new Arena with a thunderous ovation. Before the game started, Terrier captains dating back from when Jesus laced on his skates passed on the tradition to current captain Brian McConnell by shaking hands, chronologically.

If you consider Jack Parker a hockey god, then this was a laying on of hands, of sorts. BU Hockey has always been a spiritual thing for me anyway.

My review of the arena is that I can't believe graduated, quit my job at BU and moved to DC.

Well, alright, there are no regrets there, but I'll be going back to Boston for as many games as possible. The place was rockin'. The seats were great, I had tons of leg room (and anyone under 6'4" 240lbs who complains can .... well you know). The instant replay on those HUGE video screens was just surreal. I didn't miss Walter Brown at all.