Third-period burst makes BU an opening night winner UPDATED

BU’s top line combined for four goals in the third period to lead the Terriers past UMass, 8-1, in Amherst. Terriers received two goals apiece from freshman Jack Eichel (photo) and junior Danny O’Regan in BU’s six-goal third period, after taking a 2-1 lead after two periods. The third member of the line, Ahti Oksanen, assisted on both O’Regan goals

BU had taken a 2-0 lead on a first period goal by 2013-14 leading scorer Robbie Baillargeon and another in the middle stanza by newcomer Nikolas Olsson. UMass cut the lead in half in the final minute of the second period on a Jake Horton goal. But BU put the game out of reach in the third, with assistant captain Cason Hohmann (right) and freshman AJ Greer both scoring their first goals of the season.

Eichel finished the game with a 2-2-4 line and was +5. O’Regan and Oksanen both were +4, as was freshman defenseman Brandon Fortunato.

Another freshman, goalie Connor LaCouvee, made the start in goal after junior Matt O’Connor had sustained a minor injury in practice Thursday. The Qualicum Beach, BC, native stopped 31 of 32 Minuteman shots.

Discussing his top line, Coach David Quinn remarked:

“It was almost like they took the game in their own hands and all of a sudden it’s 4-1.  All three of those guys are great.”

Quinn offered praise for senior assistant captain Hohmann as well:

 “I thought it was his best game since I’ve been here. … I thought Cason Hohmann played outstanding tonight.”

BU’s eight goals were the most the Terriers have scored in 31 visits to the Mullins Center.

► Three stars: 1. Eichel 2. Rodrigues  3. O’Regan

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

● Post-game comments: Coach David Quinn, Eichel, LaCouvee

● Daily Free Press recap
● Boston Hockey Blog: Pluses & Minuses: Second line shines

● USCHO recap

● SB Nation recap

● Hockey East Online recap

● Daily Hampshire Gazette recap

● Terrier Sports Radio Network game replay

● New England Hockey Journal: Jack Eichel arrives at BU

Check back later for more BU coverage

 

Looking ahead

2015 recruit Charlie McAvoy’s power play goal midway through the third period proved the game-winner as the NTDP U18s doubled up Youngstown, 6-3. 2015 recruit Jordan Greenway assisted on McAvoy’s goal as well as the U18s’ third goal, earlier in the period. Another 2015 recruit, Maxim Letunov, scored a pair of even-strength goals to knot the score at two apiece after the U18s had jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead.

● Phantoms recap

Women’s Team

The #6 ranked Terriers host an exhibition game today, taking on the Boston Blades of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League. The contest at Walter Brown Arena, with puck drop at 3 p.m., will be preceded by raising the Hockey East championship banner (third straight for BU) and an NCAA tournament banner. The game also will bring two former Terrier defensemen back to WBA, 2012 graduate and Olympic gold medal winner Tara Watchorn and 2014 grad Kaleigh Fratkin. Both now patrol the Blades’ blueline.

BU is led by sophomore Maddie Elia with four points, and by Sarah Lefort, Rebecca Russo and Rebecca Leslie, all with three points.

●GoTerriers.com preview, GameTracker, BU GameDay
●Head Coach Brian Durocher previews the weekend:

 

Join us and @BostonCWHL after our game on Saturday for a joint autograph session! Puck drop is at 3 pm at Walter Brown Arena!
— BU Women's IceHockey (@BUwhockey) October 10, 2014