Seniors, Trusted Second Goalie Keys to Friday’s Comeback Win
February 28, 2009 by Scott Martineau · 3 Comments
Matt Gilroy and His Senior Classmates were Key in the Comeback
After possibly leaving a point on the ice, frankly, by inexplicably sitting Kieran Millan while on his way to improving his greatest winning percentage to start an NCAA career start record that he set (breaking BU’s own and current Terrier Women’s Ice Hockey Coach Brian Durocher) after getting Grant Rollheiser much-needed ice minutes the previous evening when The Terriers jumped out to a multi-goal lead and had a four goal insurmountable lead less than 20 seconds into the second period in the first game at Orono two weekends ago, Read more
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Game 33 and 34 Preview: #1 BU v. Massachusetts
February 27, 2009 by Joe · Leave a Comment
It seems all too familiar. BU is heading to Amherst with the #1 ranking, a huge target on their back. The last time that happened, UMass managed to stun the Terriers and come away with a 5-1 victory. A lot has changed since that game, but these two games are definitely not games to look past. BU has a very favorable schedule to end the regular season, but the road to the end of the regular season goes through UMass. One could say that BU controls their own destiny despite the fact that they are behind Northeastern by one point in the Hockey East Standings. So how do these two clubs match up?
Offensively and defensively, BU holds the edge. However, UMass is a very prolific scoring team, and it shows in their 2.94 goals per game. What has doomed the Minutemen in close games are penalties. Last week, UMass took huge leads against Maine only to nearly give them up with major penalties at the end of the game. This works out very favorably for BU, since the Terriers feature one of the best power plays in the nation. After converting just once against a hot Northeastern team last week, BU special teams must feel they are due. UMass will need to be careful not to draw penalties. On the flip side, the UMass power play will need to pick up their play. They are converting at a meager 16.1%, which is good for BU, as they are one of the highest penalized teams in Hockey East. Personally, if it turns into a special teams game, BU should have no trouble.
Who to Watch Out For
James Marcou - He has quietly built up 40 points this season, good for second in Hockey East, behind Boston University’s Colin Wilson. He’s been on quite a hot streak recently, racking up 9 points in the last 4 games for his club. 4 of those points come against Northeastern. Those 4 points represent more than the total goals the Terriers scored last weekend. How’s that for a dangerous kid?
Alex Berry - A linemate to Marcou, Berry has definitely benefited. He has already eclipsed his point total in any other season with 25 this year. If I remember correctly from the Ice Breaker, Berry is extremely fast and will make the defense pay if they get lackadaisical. Just because Marcou is on the ice at the same time doesn’t mean you can’t pay attention to Berry or he’ll burn you.
Other Considerations
UMass is a very strange team. They have played teams in the top 5 and have performed very well. However, it’s the losses to the weaker clubs that have plagued the Minutemen this year. Sitting just under .500, and in 7th place in Hockey East, Massachusetts has a lot to play for. The way the league currently stands, these two clubs could potentially play 4 games in just 3 weeks. That could breed a lot of bad blood.
It should be a very good college hockey weekend. The Mullins Center is sure to be crazy on Friday night, and you know that Terrier fans will come out in droves for the game Saturday night at Agganis. Unfortunately, only one of the games is on TV, since CN8 disbanded. Regardless, the trip to the Mullins center is one that I will have to make one day. It will not be this Friday though, as I’ve got to work. The DVR is set though! I really wish that NESN would use the HD cameras for college hockey. It looked great for the Beanpot!
Game time is set for 7:30 pm at Mullins Center on Friday, and at 8pm Saturday at Agganis Arena. You can catch the BU broadcast online from BU’s official website or on AM 1510. The Massachusetts broadcast is here, or on 100.9 FM. Friday night’s tilt will be on NESN, as part of NESN’s Hockey East Fridays.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Game 32 Recap: BU 1, NU 1
February 24, 2009 by Joe · 2 Comments
The two ties left BU wanting more
Getting around to the recap of the second game this past weekend… another unsatisfying tie. The titans of Hockey East played a full 130 minutes of hockey and weren’t able to settle anything. One thing is for sure though, it was a great atmosphere at Matthews Arena. Penalties marred the game though, and prevented what was sure to be some great hockey. Read more
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Game 31 Recap: BU 2, NU 2
February 22, 2009 by Joe · Leave a Comment
Brandon Yip was the cause of much excitement in the game
In the first game of the weekend with NU, nothing was settled. On the scoreboard that is. After a dominating performance in the first period that saw the Terriers take a quick 2-0 lead, the Huskies dominated play for the remainder of regulation. While overtime would provide some good opportunities for the Terriers, the two clubs left Agganis with a rather un-satisfying 2-2 tie. Read more
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Game 31 and 32 Preview: #1 BU v. #4 Northeastern
Wow… what a series to be picking things back up at the ol’ BU blog. I’ve been so busy with work, but there’s no way I’m missing out on taking a look at this one. There are huge implications in Hockey East with this game, and the backstory of NU probably wanting to redeem themselves after the loss at the Beanpot. Take into account BU defending their #1 ranking, and you’ve got yourself quite the college hockey weekend with these two clubs. Let’s take a quick look at how they match up:
Offensively and defensively, the Terriers hold a slight edge. The same holds for special teams play. I guess that is the difference between #1 and #4. Head to head, BU holds the 2-0-0 advantage as well. But you can pretty much throw those stats out for this game. Both teams are looking to prove their mettle, and its going to be a couple of good ol’ fashioned barn burners both Friday night and Saturday night. Northeastern is coming off a tough weekend against UMass, and BU wiped the floor with Maine before coming down to Earth the second night. The goaltenders are both playing very well right now…. what more can you say?
Who to Look out For
Joe Vitale - Northeastern has won like 19 games when Vitale registers a point. Currently the #3 scorer on the Husky lineup, BU has managed to keep him off the scoresheet goals wise, but the senior captain will definitely putting up his ‘A’ game this weekend. BU will have to be careful not to let him break out, Vitale has been dangerous his entire career at NU. 10 points in the last 10 games isn’t half bad either.
Brad Thiessen - BU has shown that Thiessen is beatable. Always a tough goaltender to beat, he will have something to prove because BU has torched him for 8 goals already this year. If he can keep his focus and make those incredible saves, it could be a long weekend. Of course, the D will have to give him some help, as he’s been hung out to dry the last two tries against BU. However, the game plan should remain the same… shoot high. Thiessen is excellent positionally, which might cause some problems if BU can’t find the finishing touch quick enough. On an unrelated note, Brad actually as a pretty informative blog… In the Crease with Thiess. Definitely a good read, gets you behind the scenes with the Huskies.
Pretty much anyone wearing a Husky Uniform on the ice - No doubt the entire NU team will be out for revenge. BU needs to adjust their game, as NU will try to cover the mistakes that were made the last time the two teams matched up. The Beanpot is past now… both of these teams are looking for the Hockey East Title and the NCAAs now.
The atmosphere is going to be electric… and I’m going to both games. I can’t wait. There’s no use predicting what will happen, just soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the games!
Game time is set for 7pm at Agganis Arena on Friday, and at 8pm Saturday at Matthews Arena. You can catch the BU broadcast online from BU’s official website or on AM 1510. NU’s webcast is here, or on 890 AM.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Game 27 Recap: BU 5, UMass-Lowell 3
February 8, 2009 by Joe · Leave a Comment
Jason Lawrence potted a Power Play goal
While nearly being guilty of looking past the River Hawks, BU managed to pull away in the third period, defeating Lowell by a final of 5-3. Vinny Saponari would provide the heroics, putting away the game winner midway through the third period. However, with the way this game started out, the final score is actually quite deceiving. Read more
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Game 27 Preview: #1 BU v. UMass-Lowell
February 6, 2009 by Joe · Leave a Comment
Well, I’ve missed a few games (on the blog, not in person). Been busy studying for and taking the GMAT, but hopefully I’ll get back on track here again, even though I need to keep studying. But the Terriers have been on fire recently… unless you count the opening round of the Beanpot. That didn’t look too promising, but let’s just hope that it may have been the flu that’s been travelling through the locker room. The Terriers have got a tough opponent this week in Lowell, let’s see how the two teams match up as they face each other for a third and final time for the regular season.
BU comes into this game at 20-5-1, having a 6 game win streak, and leading the series 2-0 so far for the season. Lowell sits at an even .500 (12-12), having won their last two games against Maine and Merrimack. Not exactly the class of Hockey East, but it does round up a 3 game win streak for the River Hawks. Offensively and defensively, BU has the edge, but on special teams, the clubs are much closer. Excellent power plays from both teams, with BU at 24.2% and Lowell at 19.8%. However, BU’s best penalty killer, Kieran Millan, will likely have something to say about the Lowell PP. Nevin Hamilton is out for the River Hawks, so Carter Hutton will be in net for the ‘Hawks, hoping to squelch the BU offense.
Who to Watch Out For
Kory Falite - Always a dangerous player, Falite is currently second on the River Hawks in terms of scoring. The Junior, who had been extremely hot at the beginning of the season, has cooled down a bit, but did register a point in 2 of the last 3 games for Lowell, all wins. The drop in scoring is likely due to teams checking him much more closely, so BU will need to be careful not to set him loose.
Maury Edwards - The sophomore defenseman is leading Lowell in points, and has been on fire recently. Registering points in 5 of the last 6 games, Edwards does have 8 goals on the season, so he will be a threat from the point. Hopefully the Terriers recognize this and block his shots!
Other Considerations
Easily, this is a trap game for BU. Coming off an emotional win at the Beanpot, the Terrier will be hard pressed not to look past Lowell and look at #3 NU, whom they will be facing in the Beanpot Championship on Monday. However, the tone and play that BU exhibits in this game will likely carry over to the Beanpot, so BU will want to come out strong and make a statement. Lowell will be looking to pounce on any Terrier lapses, just as Harvard did on Monday. To try come back from an early deficit in this game could spell disaster, something that BU doesn’t want going into the Beanpot championship. Also, this is a very important Hockey East game, and will help in the tight race towards the regular season championship.
Game time is set for 7pm at Agganis Arena. You can catch the BU broadcast online from BU’s official website or on AM 1510. Lowell fans can catch their local broadcast on 91.5 FM or online here.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
