Hobey candidate Drury breaks record

Daily Free Press

BOSTON (U-WIRE) - Boston University center Chris Drury is no stranger to ovations. For a man with three Beanpot crowns, a national championship and a Little League World Series title, the feeling of standing among teammates while being bombarded with praise is a familiar one.

But when the praise came again Friday night at Walter Brown Arena, this time it was all directed at him.

After weeks of anticipation and questions concerning the second-longest scoring drought of his career, Drury broke through for his 14th goal of the season Friday in a 4-3 win over the University of Maine. The goal was the 99th of his illustrious Boston University career and moved him out of a tie with John Cullen and Bob Marquis at the top of the Terrier all-time goal-scoring list.

The record, finally, is all his.

"I wasn't really that frustrated," Drury said of the four-game scoring slump. "It was more that we weren't playing our best hockey. I think the BU community was more enthused about it than I was."

The record-breaker was a typical Drury goal, both in form and importance. With BU clinging to a 2-1 lead about midway through the second period, Drury won a faceoff in his own end. Freshman forward Nick Gillis controlled the puck and skated across center ice to the right circle. Drury was streaking beside him, and Gillis slid a pass to the inner part of the circle. Drury kicked the puck to his stick and blasted a slapshot past Maine goalie Alfie Michaud.

After having his last 35 shots on goal turned away, the one that finally made it through was symbolic of the explosive player Drury is. It was hustle that allowed him to beat everyone down ice and sheer willpower that let him get the shot off in traffic.

"If you follow him day to day, it doesn't matter to him if he gets goals," BU coach Jack Parker said. "He's the senior and he's the All-American and the Hobey Baker candidate, and nobody works harder than he does."

The puck hit the back of the net at 9:23 of the second. And then the BU faithful let out the roar they'd been holding in for so long.

"That was tremendous," Drury said. "I certainly didn't expect it. I didn't know that many people knew about it. The fans here have just been terrific, and it was real special. I'll never forget that."

The puck wasn't dropped immediately after the goal, as the 3,806 fans on hand stood and gave Drury one of the most impressive ovations at Walter Brown in recent memory. And with his stick raised skyward, Drury acknowledged the fans for their appreciation.

Drury's teammates reacted too, whacking their sticks against the boards from the Terrier bench.

Drury isn't one to dwell on personal achievement - he'd trade the record in for another national championship any day - but he couldn't help but feel something special on this night.

"I don't think there's any feeling that will ever come close to the feeling of winning a Beanpot or a national championship, or even a big game," Drury said. "No amount of goals in my career can overshadow those wins. But I do take a little bit of pride in this.

"I guess I made kind of a mark here," he added. "I think everyone wants to be able to say they helped out, and I'm just glad that I gave my two cents to the program."

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