Jack Eichel had another impressive game, but it was linemate Danny O’Regan who stole the show Saturday night.
O’Regan scored a hat trick and added an assist in No. 3 Boston University’s (10-3-2) bounce-back win over No. 18 Merrimack (10-5-2) at Agganis Arena. Eichel assisted on each of O’Regan’s goals and provided a helper on BU’s fourth goal. Both players factored in on all of the Terriers’ goals.
After skating to a 1-1 tie against the Warriors on Friday night, BU looked determined to get back on the winning track.
O’Regan came out of the gate firing, scoring at the 11-minute mark of the first period and just 16 seconds into the second to put the Terriers up by two goals. Defenseman Brandon Hickey extended the lead less than three minutes later, scoring his first career goal on assists from Eichel and O’Regan.
Merrimack’s offense came to life later in the game, as forward Brian Christie tallied goals in both the second and third periods. Yet Christie’s scores sandwiched O’Regan’s third goal of the night, which gave BU all the cushion it needed to skate away with its 10th win.
BU will return to action next Saturday when it travels to Rensselaer, while Merrimack gets an extended break before a showdown with No. 6 Minnesota on Jan. 2.
Around the League
Northeastern 2, Providence 1: The No. 16 Friars (8-6-1) cut the Huskies’ (4-10-1) two-goal lead in half with a third-period goal from Trevor Mingoia, but Northeastern goaltender Clay Witt’s 37-save effort helped his team emerge with the win.
Boston College 4, New Hampshire 2: The Wildcats (4-9-1) got on the board first, but the No. 17 Eagles (8-7-1) tallied three straight goals in the second period to take the commanding lead. BC forward Chris Calnan added two goals, while goaltender Thatcher Demko notched 25 saves in the win.
Notre Dame 4, Massachusetts 0: The Fighting Irish (8-8-2) poured in three goals in the second period and held strong on the defensive end to blank the Minutemen (4-11-0). Notre Dame limited UMass to just 14 shots — including one in the first period — all of which were stopped by goaltender Cal Peterson.
UMass Lowell 3, Maine 2 — OT: The No. 7 River Hawks (10-3-3) got all they could handle in the Black Bears (3-12-1), as Maine held a one-goal lead in the third period before UMass Lowell defenseman Tyler Mueller tied the score with less than seven minutes remaining. Forward Michael Louria saved the River Hawks with the game-winning goal 3:57 into overtime.
Thumbnail photo via Facebook/Boston University Athletics
