TMA First Star of the Game: Eric Gryba

Big Man Makes Noise in Final Weekend at Agganis


It looks like Eric Gryba is trying to end his career at BU, and more specifically at Agganis Arena, with a bang.

GRYBA SMASH!

The senior assistant captain defenseman played one of his best, and most exciting games, in Scarlet and White last night in the win over Merrimack.

Gryba was throwing his weight around all night, drilling Merrimack forwards into the boards and tracking the puck into the corners.  Gryba showed tremendous anticipation on the defensive end, and his physical play seemed to rub off on his teammates.  As the game went on, more Terriers started to hit, and hit hard.  Ross Gaudet made his presence felt time and time again with big hits, and even little Chris Connolly nailed a few Mack defenders on the forecheck.

Gryba also excelled at carrying the puck out of his zone and into the center ice area.  On one play, Gryba's superior effort led to a transitional offensive possession resulting in a shot on net, with Gryba being the only Terrier in the offensive zone.

At the end of the second period, Gryba ramped up his physical play to another level.  Following a near goal for the Terriers, a scrum erupted behind the Merrimack net.  Of course Gryba was involved, and of course, he got tangled up with his penalty-taking counterpart on Merrimack, Kyle Bigos.  The two locked up, and even when Gryba's helmet was torn off, he refused to yield an inch.

When the Agganis employee working the BU penalty box tried once, twice and three times to open the door and usher Gryba to the locker room, it only irritated the Big Man.  Once, twice and three times Gryba reached forward and slammed the door shut, each with a little bit more emphasis.  You don't mess with the Gryba.

The mini fight resulted in 9 penalty minutes for Gryba, but it lit a fire under the team.  4:11 into the final frame, the Terriers scored the game winning goal, as Gryba celebrated from the sin bin.

Gryba's hard, energetic, physical brand of play sparked the Terriers to victory last night.  Let's hope he can do it again tonight.