Boston University is back.
After finishing last season 10-21-4, the No. 5 Terriers (5-1-0) keep surprising the college hockey world with wins like their 5-3 comeback victory over No. 3 Boston College (4-4-0) on Friday. BU scored three unanswered goals in the third period to stun the Eagles.
It was an exciting game before it even began, as the BU-BC rivalry dates back to 1893 and is considered one of the biggest in college sports. So naturally, the Terriers and the Eagles delivered a nail-biter.
The teams were scoreless through the first period and matched their shots on goal with seven apiece. BC struck first, netting a goal two minutes into the second period, but BU answered for every goal BC scored. Still, things were starting to look grim for the Terriers when the Eagles held on to a 3-2 lead more than halfway through the third period.
But it was freshman phenom Jack Eichel who started BU’s rally.
Eichel scored the equalizer 12:15 into the third period, and Evan Rodrigues netted the go-ahead goal — his second of the game — two minutes later. BC pulled goaltender Thatcher Demko in the final minute in favor of an extra skater, but Nikolas Olssen put things out of reach with an empty-net goal in the game’s final seconds.
BU will look to keep rolling Saturday at 7 p.m. when they hop on the Green Line back to Agganis Arena to take on UConn. BC gets a couple days rest before they take on Harvard on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Around the League
Providence 3, Merrimack 2: The Warriors (5-2-1) threatened with a goal midway through the third period that put them within a score of tying things up, but the No. 12 Friars (3-3-1) held on for the 3-2 win. Despite the loss, Merrimack went 2-for-3 on the power play.
Vermont 4, Maine 3 (OT): The No. 14 Catamounts (5-1-1) fell behind 2-0 to the Black Bears (3-5-1) after the first period, but they quickly turned things around and showed everyone why they belong in the rankings. Vermont outshot Maine 16-4 in the third period, and Mario Puskarich tied things up with 59 seconds left in regulation. Mike Stenerson scored 3:13 into overtime to give the Catamounts the 4-3 win.
Northeastern 3, UMass-Lowell 3 (OT): Adam Chapie tied things up for No. 6 UMass-Lowell (5-1-2) 7:15 into the third period, but neither the River Hawks nor the Huskies (0-6-1) were able to put the puck in the net after that as they skated to a 3-3 tie. UMass-Lowell outshot Northeastern 41-28 in the draw.
UMass 7, American International 1: Five UMass skaters enjoyed multi-point nights as the Minutemen (3-5-0) coasted to a 7-1 win over the Yellow Jackets (2-5-1). American International was doomed from the start, as UMass put up four goals in the first period on just 10 shots. Sophomore forwards Frank Vatrano (two goals, one assist) and Steve Iacobellis (one goal, two assists) each threw down three points for the Minutemen in the winning effort.
Michigan State 4, New Hampshire 3: The Wildcats (2-5-0) tried to get a comeback going with a goal from sophomore Tyler Kelleher — his second of the night — 12:11 into the third period, but they came up short, falling 4-3 to the Spartans (3-4-0) on home ice. UNH outshot Michigan State 45-20, but they simply couldn’t make enough of them count.
Minnesota 5, Notre Dame 0: There’s a reason the Golden Gophers (6-1-0) are No. 1. They blew out the No. 15 Fighting Irish (5-3-1) with a 5-0 victory despite a 39-save effort from freshman goalie Cal Peterson. Minnesota outplayed Notre Dame in every sense of the word, netting its first goal two minutes into the game and continuing to dominate by outshooting the Fighting Irish 44-20.
Photo via Twitter/@TerrierHockey
