Boston University has been the darling of the Hockey East this season, but it came back to Earth a bit Saturday night.
The No. 5 Terriers (5-1-1) entered their game against Connecticut (2-4-3) riding high following a 5-3 win over No. 3 Boston College on Friday night but faltered in a 4-4 tie to the unranked Huskies.
It was a back-and-forth affair at Agganis Arena, as each BU score was matched by a UConn equalizer. Trevor Gerling gave the Huskies a 3-2 lead with 11 minutes remaining, yet the Terriers appeared to take control when goals from Mike Moran and Danny O’Regan put them back on top with under five minutes to play.
But UConn just refused to go away.
As the clocked ticked under four minutes, Connecticut forward Shawn Pauly netted his second score of the night on a power-play goal to force overtime.
Neither team could light the lamp in the extra period, ending the game in a hard-fought tie.
Freshman phenom Jack Eichel continued his incredible start to the season with three assists for the Terriers.
BU hopes to return to its winning ways next Friday when it goes on the road to take on Maine, while UConn will welcome Sacred Heart to town next Friday.
Around the League
Merrimack 1, Providence 0: The Warriors (6-2-1) exacted their revenge on the Friars (3-4-1) thanks to a third-period goal from forward Brian Christie. Merrimack goaltender Rasmus Tirronen notched 22 saves — including six in the final period — to earn the shutout.
UMass-Lowell 5, Northeastern 0: The No. 6 River Hawks (6-1-2) bounced back from a 3-3 tie against the Huskies (0-7-1) the night before, scoring three goals in the second period en route to an easy win. Freshman goaltender Jeff Smith notched 20 saves to earn his first career shutout.
Vermont 4, Maine 1: The Catamounts (6-1-1) got four goals from four different players to complete a weekend sweep over the Black Bears (3-6-1). Vermont scored three unanswered goals to start the game and used a 17-save effort from goaltender Brody Hoffman to secure the win.
UNH 5, Michigan State 2: Three players tallied a goal and an assist for the Wildcats (3-5-0) in a convincing win over the Spartans (3-5-0). Trailing 2-1 in the second period, UNH poured in four unanswered goals to earn a weekend split against their Big 10 opponent.
Photo via Facebook/UConn Men’s Ice Hockey
