Game 27 Preview: #1 BU v. UMass-Lowell

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.

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Game 17 Recap: BU 3, UMass Lowell 2

The fourth line provided the fire tonight as the Terriers took down UMass Lowell, 3-2 in front of a crowd of 4520 at Agganis Arena.  BU would be playing from behind for quite a bit of time tonight, but managed to generate a good deal of pressure and get a few nice bounces. Read more

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Game 17 Preview: #4 BU v. UMass Lowell

On Friday, BU will be taking on the Riverhawks of UMass Lowell for the second time this year.  For those of you who may have gone to the last game in which these two squads met, UML gave BU all they could handle, and then some.  The Terriers barely managed to eke out a 6-4 win, but couldn’t have done so without the help of Colin Wilson having an incredible third period, and Carter Hutton going down for Lowell with an ankle injury.  How well do the clubs match up this time?

Both offensively and defensively, we’ve got some very good clubs.  BU is scoring more, with a 3.4 GPG, while UML is at 3.2.  However, the defense is exactly the same, both allowing 2.13 goals per game.  Not bad at all.  Of course, injury may play a factor in this game.  UML has a whopping 4 guys out of this game, with the biggest one being Carter Hutton still out with an ankle injury.  His backup has proved to be quite capable though, so BU still can’t take this game lightly.  BU has to come out strong in the beginning, and maintain the pressure.  They can’t be expected to dig themselves out of the same hole as last time, as incredible as that was.

Who to Watch Out For

Kory Falite - The Riverhawks’ leading scorer, Falite is always a threat to score.  He’s already got 10 on the season, and is tied for third in the league.  Expect UML to try to get the puck to him whenever he’s on the ice.  The defense will need to be sharp and contain him.

Nevin Hamilton - While he is officially the “backup” when Carter Hutton returns, the numbers that he has put up are nothing to complain about.  He has a nice 2.13 GAA, and he’s faced a pretty tough schedule.  Two games against UNH, Northeastern, Massachusetts, and Vermont… and a few more in there too.  To come out of that stretch with just a 2.13 GAA is not too shabby at all!

Other Considerations

UML is coming off a sweep at the hands of UNH.  I’m sure that the Riverhawks want to prove that they can hang with the big boys right before going on break, so expect them to try to come out with speed and intensity.  BU will need to match this, and not allow UML to try to run past them.  I really like the way the Terriers are playing right now, and believe they will play very well.  Also, the Riverhawks have to remember the comeback that BU had at Agganis last year too, and they definitely don’t want that to happen again.  In both of those games, UML had a nice cushion before BU went on a scoring frenzy and won.  Blaise McDonald will likely try to bring back those memories and use it to generate some energy for hs club.

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.  UML’s broadcast can be found on 91.5 FM, or online here.

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