UNH escapes BU rally

 
After falling behind New Hampshire 3-0 in the first period, Terriers rallied to narrow the margin to one, but dropped a 4-3 decision at the Whittemore Center. In the first period, the Wildcats scored a shorthander—after Matt O’Connor made the initial save on a breakaway--, then on a power play followed by an even-strength goal.

BU got on the board in the final seconds of the first period when Evan Rodrigues cleaned up the rebound of a Robbie Baillargeon (photo) shot on a power play. Midway through the second, Danny O’Regan took a Rodrigues pass alone in the slot and beat goalie Casey DeSmith to make it 3-2. New Hampshire regained a two-goal lead later in the period when a failed pinch by BU led to another breakaway and Matt Willows’ second goal of the game.

BU closed to within a goal again on third-period power play goal by Baillargeon, set up by Ahti Oksanen and Garrett Noonan. Terriers had numerous grade A scoring chances as they stormed UNH seeking the equalize. DeSmith robbed O’Regan who was alone at the goal mouth with 4:30 remaining, then Nick Roberto rang one off the post with 90 seconds left in regulation. DeSmith turned away shots by O’Regan and Rodrigues in the final seconds, denying BU a tie.

► Baillargeon led the Terriers with three points, including his eight goal of the season. BU outshot the Wildcats, 40-27, dominating in the final two periods. Commenting on the early 3-0 deficit, Coach David Quinn told the media:

"I thought they were a little bit more ready at the drop of the puck. I love the fact that we kept playing after that, and we had chances after that. It’s frustrating because I think we’ve been playing a lot better lately, other than the consolation game in the Beanpot, then we just don’t seem to get rewarded for it."

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score 
● Video highlights 
● Post-game comments (video): Quinn
● Boston Hockey Blog recap, Pluses & Minuses
● HockeyEastOnline recap

Looking ahead 
2015 recruit Charles McAvoy scored a goal and an assist for the NTDP U17s who lost a high scoring game to Chicago in a shootout, 9-8. 2015 recruit Jordan Greenway had an assist for the U17s.

2014 recruit JJ Piccinich (photo) scored his team-leading 23^rd goal in Youngstown’s 5-2 loss to Muskegon. The 6’0”, 190 lb. right wing is third goal scoring in the USHL.

2014 recruit Jack Eichel discussed his two-year NTDP experience, both on and off the ice, in a video interview with Fox Detroit.

Looking back

Former BU All-American goalie John Curry stopped 27 of 28 shots as Iowa beat Milwaukee, 3-1, in AHL action. Curry’s GAA drops to 1.85 with a .943 save percentage.

Sahir Gill scored his 10^th goal of the season in ECHL Wheeling’s 4-2 win against Reading.  Gill has 36 points in 43 games with a +13 rating for the Nailers.