Game 20 Preview: #2 BU v. Providence

It’s Tuesday night hockey at Agganis Arena, as the Terriers take on the Friars of Providence college.  BU is coming off a strong victory against Maine, while Providence won its first Hockey East game on Saturday against UMass Lowell.  Let’s see how the teams match up.

Again, on paper, this game is a home run for BU.  They are practically opposites in terms of offense and defense.  Providence is giving up over 4 goals a game, BU is scoring just about 4.  Providence scores about 2 goals a game, BU gives up about 2.  Can we say that the score will be 4-2?  What it ultimately comes down to, I think, will be experience and skill level.  Providence just isn’t where BU is right now.  In game, things can change of course, but it’s difficult to say that the Friars can win this one.  Still, stranger things have happened, and BU needs to continue to play solidly to win this one.

Who to Watch Out For

Matt Bergland - The leading scorer for the Friars, Bergland is scoring at nearly a point a game, with points in the Friars last 4 games.  He’s only been shut out in 5 games all season, so BU will need to check him tightly and make sure he doesn’t get many opportunities.

Pierce Norton - One of the 5 seniors on the PC roster, Norton has been playing a solid game, and is a big kid.  An NHL draft pick in 2004, he has started to heat up recently as well, with points in 6 of the Friars’ last 7 games.

Other Considerations

This PC Team has a lot to prove, to try to show that they aren’t the bottom dwellers of Hockey East.  Army has received a lot of criticism recently, and will want to prove that he is worthy of his job as well.  You’ll have to look back two years to the last time Providence beat BU, and they beat a very very good BU team at that, handing them two of their only losses in an incredible 16 game stretch where BU lost only two games, both to Providence.

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.  Providence fans can catch the game here, or locally in Providence at AM 1240.

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