Countdown to Senior Day: Chris Higgins - The Quiet Sparkplug

In 2005, a group of six very talented Freshmen made their way to Boston University. That class has made a major difference in their time at Boston University. As the days towards their final regular season home game approach, Let’s Go Terriers and a few other blogs are going to take a look at their stories, and the impact they have made at BU on the ice.

Chris Higgins arrived at BU after playing in the EJHL, as a member of the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs. The Lynnfield, MA native had played his high school hockey at Pingree Academy, and came to BU as a true freshman. Quite a rare feat in college hockey nowadays, as players make their way to Juniors in order to gain strength and speed to be able to compete at the college level. Higgins, however, would make an impact in his first season. Paired with classmates Brandon Yip and Jason Lawrence, the trio wreaked havoc on opponents. No longer could they focus on containing the top two lines at BU, they needed to make sure these three youngsters didn’t take advantage as well.

Perhaps its not strange that a third line becomes a major offensive threat. But consider the caliber of the players that Higgins and his linemates were behind. David van der Gulik, Brad Zancanaro, John Laliberte, Pete MacArthur, Kenny Roche, and Bryan Ewing. All players who had incredible careers at BU, and yet an all-freshman line was still dangerous. It was easy to see that the three guys on this line would be special… but for some reason Higgins has always stood out to me.

Higgins would make his mark in history in a big way during his freshman year. In his first beanpot game, Higgins would record what Tom Caron would call “a highlight-reel goal” when he deked around two Harvard defenders, and slip the puck past goalie Dov Grumet-Morris as he was falling down. Terrier nation was left in awe as Higgins’ goal appeared as one of the top plays on sportscenter that night. If anything, this was an indication that BU had really hit the jackpot when Higgins commited to BU.

As if there was any doubt, Higgins also assisted on the game winning goal of the Hockey East Championship that year, a beautiful play that we have here for you below. Quality’s not the greatest, but Tom Caron calls it well!

It was an amazing play that still gives me chills. I really wish that I had been able to see that game live, but unfortunately I sacrificed that to be able to go to regionals. Well what do ya know, Higgins would come through again, scoring a hat trick in a span of just 5:31. It was the fastest hat trick in NCAA regional history, and also the 4th fastest in tournament history. Check it out as part of the video below:

Higgins would become a mainstay on the top lines in the following years at BU. While the Terriers didn’t always play to their potential, Higgins was always quietly putting up solid numbers. This season, paired with Colin Wilson and fellow Senior Jason Lawrence, Higgins has had a breakout year, racking up 37 points so far… and he doesn’t look to be slowing down. With the Terriers in position to capture the Hockey East Regular season title on Sunday at Agganis Arena… the moment will be bittersweet, as a great group of seniors will taking the ice for the final time during the regular season.

This post is part of a group of Countdown to Senior Day Articles. You can find several other great Senior Day articles at On Being a Sports Girl.

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