Game 33 and 34 Preview: #1 BU v. Massachusetts

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.

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