Despite BU Win, Comm Ave Classic A Wild Success
By Grant Salzano, July 11, 2015
BC/BU all-star game was played in front of a near-packed house
It was an idea for the ages. Take the best players, young and old, from BC and BU and put them on the ice at the same time. Put it in the noisy, intimate confines of Walter Brown Arena, and add in the benefit of a good cause, you’ve really got something great.
Despite a 7-5 (ENG) BU victory over the Eagles, no one left Walter Brown Arena disappointed as the event raised over $55,000 for Compassionate Care ALS and featured great hockey played by some legendary names.
BU took an early lead in the first period as Jay Pandolfo put the Terriers up 1-0, but BC would start to take over the first period. Goals from Brian Gibbons (on a dangle in the slot that almost shook the defender out of his equipment) and Johnny Gaudreau sent BC into the locker rooms up 2-1.
BU took the lead back after a 5-goal 2nd period with a pair from Charlie Coyle and one more from Will O’Neill (yes, the guy from Maine). BC kept it within 1 with Patrick Brown and Kevin Hayes getting on the board for the Eagles.
Bill Arnold tied the game for BC in the third, but Will O’Neill scored his second of the game to give BU a lead with under two minutes left, and Charlie Coyle completed the hat trick with the empty netter to seal the win.
But everyone knew the game would be a thrill regardless of the outcome. Who ever thought you would see score lines like Johnny Gaudreau from Bill Arnold and Brian Leetch and Patrick Brown from Mike Mottau?
The game was played without the theatrics and silliness that usually comes from events like this, to the delight of the fans. There were no “Flying V’s” or goalies skating out or guest referees—just fun, quality hockey from some of the best players to ever wear the maroon & gold and scarlet & white.
Pat Mullane and the rest of the organizers who made the game possible hope to play this summer classic annually, and with how much fun everyone in the stands and on the ice was clearly having, it’s hard to imagine future games being anything less than a huge success.
