BU completes weekend sweep; faces Notre Dame in playoffs

Sophomore Matt Lane (photo) scored twice—his first multiple-goal game—and freshman defenseman Doyle Somerby scored and added an assist as the Terriers doubled up Northeastern, 4-2, at Matthews Arena in the regular season finale. With Vermont’s defeat of Lowell, BU will travel back to Notre Dame for a play-in round playoff game.

BU jumped out to an early lead, six seconds into a first-period power play, when Somerby’s shot from the point was saved, but Lane converted the rebound. The Huskies tied the score later in the period when Braden Pimm’s shot from the top of the slot went off goalie Matt O’Connor’s blocker and then off his back into the goal.

NU took its only lead halfway through the second period when Zach Aston-Reese, on a 3-on-2 rush, ripped a shot past O’Connor. Three minutes later, Lane, who was the game’s first star, picked the pocket of a Husky at BU’s defensive blueline and was off to the races, deking NU goalie Clay Witt and depositing a backhander in the net. Terriers took the lead moments later on Somerby’s first career goal—and first game-winner—following a steal by Tommy Kelley.

In the third period, Mike Moran, whose faceoff win set up Lane’s first-period goal, wristed a shot off the inside of the left post for his fifth of the season, following a Nick Roberto assist. Moran, whose two-point night gives his eight for the season, also won 12 of 20 draws.

O’Connor turned aside 30 Northeastern shots during the final two periods and 39 overall, earning second-star honors. Dalton MacAfee was the third star.

Following the game, BU coach David Quinn said: "I’ve been coaching almost 20 years and I don’t know if I have been prouder. Through some difficult times and a difficult season to respond the way we did over the last two nights shows our resiliency and our character and our leadership."

► Besides the two-point performance that doubled his point total, Somerby, who was on the ice for three of BU’s goals, played a strong defensive game with numerous blocked shots.

►The victory, BU’s 10^th, was BU’s first road win and also gave the Terriers their first weekend sweep since its season opening wins against Massachusetts and Holy Cross.

● Go Terriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

● Video highlights

● Post-game comments:  Quinn

● Boston Hockey Blog: recap and Pluses & Minuses

● HockeyEastOnline.com recap

Looking ahead

2014 recruit Jack Eichel ripped a one-timer past Michigan State’s goalie two minutes into overtime as the NTDP U18s topped the Spartans, 4-3. The right-shot center from Chelmsford, Mass., also scored the game’s first goal and assisted on a power play, for his second consecutive two-goal game. He now has 30 goals in 37 U18 games, along with 33 assists.

Fellow 2014 recruit AJ Greer scored a goal and an assist for Kimball Union Academy in a 4-3 win over Brooks in the Small School Prep semifinal. KUA takes on former Terrier defenseman Dan Donato's Dexter School team in the final today at Yale’s Ingalls Rink.

2014 recruit Shane Starrett made 33 saves for Portland, but the Jr. Pirates dropped a 3-1 decision to top seed Boston Jr. Bruins in the best-of-three USPHL Premier playoffs.

 

USA Hockey photo by Tom Sorensen

2015 recruit Jordan Greenway (photo above) scored his 12th goal of the season in the NTDP U17s 5-3 loss to USHL Dubuque, whose game-winner was scored by former Terrier Alexx Privitera.

● Recap

Women’s Team

BU’s one-two punch of senior captain Louise Warren (photo) and sophomore Sarah Lefort provided the offense as the Terriers edged Providence, 3-2 at Walter Brown Arena in the Hockey East quarterfinals. #2 seed BU will play #3 Northeastern next Saturday in the semifinals in Hyannis, Mass.

After PC took a 1-0 lead on a second-period power play goal, Warren knotted the score at one apiece. Forty-five seconds later, Lefort scored her nation’s best 30^th goal to put the Terriers on top. The Friars drew even later in the second period. Warren scored the game-winner, five minutes into the third period, converting a rebound of Maddie Elia’s shot.

Kerrin Sperry turned aside 37 of 39 shots including all 13 she faced in the third period. Senior blueliner Kaleigh Fratkin assisted on the first two BU goals.

● Go Terriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

● Video highlights

● Post-game comments: Coach Brian Durocher, Warren