Rodrigues, Baillargeon lead Terriers past Catamounts

#3 Terriers broke open a scoreless game with three straight tallies and then held off home-standing Vermont to earn a 4-2 win at a packed Gutterson Field House. Combined with Lowell’s 7-3 loss to Providence, BU now has sole possession of first place in Hockey East.

BU was outshot in the first period by Vermont, which held a territorial advantage until late in the period when the Terriers threatened. Midway through the second, BU took the lead on a slick pass from sophomore Robbie Baillargeon (photo) to junior Ahti Oksanen who one-timed a shot from the right circle past Vermont’s Brody Hoffman. Captain Matt Grzelcyk picked up his 15^th assist.

The Terriers doubled that lead on their fourth power play of the middle period when senior assistant captain Cason Hohmann scored on a sharp angle shot from the left circle that needed a video review to be confirmed. Baillargeon and freshman Brandon Fortunato assisted.

The third period began with BU killing off a penalty and a minute later, senior assistant captain Evan Rodrigues went end-to-end, deking around one-time BU commit Ori Abramson and finishing with a top-shelf shot past Hoffman. The Terriers seemed to have the game in hand; but a minute later, a failed clearing attempt led to Colin Markison wristing a shot past Matt O’Connor from close range, bringing the home crowd back into the contest.

Late in the period, Rodrigues, trying to catch up with a loose puck headed toward the Vermont crease, crashed into the goalie and drew a penalty. The Catamounts pulled the goalie for an extra attacker, controlled the draw, and after O’Connor stopped two shots, former Terrier Alexx Privitera corralled the rebound and fired it home to cut the margin to one. BU kept the Cats from any quality chances during the final five minutes and, with forty seconds remaining, freshman Jack Eichel controlled a loose puck at center ice and fired it into the empty net to close out the scoring.

►O’Connor stopped 32 shots and improved his record to 12-3-3.

►Three stars: Rodrigues, Markison, Baillargeon

►Terriers have now recorded at least one power play goal in seven consecutive games.

Terrier TakeAway

1. Once again, Matt O’Connor held the fort during a first period when the Terriers “looked a little nervous,” according to David Quinn and gave up several grade A chances.

2. Rodrigues continues to thrive on BU’s first line and had eight shots in the game. He nearly scored in the first period using a nice pass to himself to penetrate the UVM defense. E-Rod has 13 points (3G, 10A) in his last seven games.

3. Last night’s game was Baillargeon’s best effort since returning to the line-up. BU’s second line showed improved chemistry after Coach Quinn switched Oksanen to his off-wing and Nik Olsson to the left side.

 

Check back later for today's Game Day information and the Terrier line-up.

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

Video highlights

● Post game comments (video): Quinn, Hohmann

● Daily Free Press recap

● Boston Hockey Blog Pluses & Minuses

●Hockey East Online recap

● Burlington Free Press recap

● USCHO recap

Looking ahead

2016 recruit Kieffer Bellows scored his 13^th and 14^th goals in Sioux Falls’ 3-1 win against Lincoln. Since Dec. 1, Bellows has scored 12 goals in 15 games .

2015 recruit Maxim Letunov had the primary assist on the game-winning goal in Youngstown’s comeback win over Cedar Rapids, 5-3.

Looking back

ESPN talked with Blues’ defenseman and former BU All-American Kevin Shattenkirk about preparing for his first NHL all-star game.  On April 11th 2009, Shattenkirk assisted on the OT goal that gave the Terriers their fifth National Championship.

Women’s Team

Terriers begin a two-game series with Vermont on Saturday, with puck drop set for 3 p.m. at Walter Brown Arena.  BU brings a 15-5-2 overall record and a 7-1-1 home record into the contest.  Junior Sarah Lefort and senior captain Marie-Philip Poulin lead the attack with 29 and 25 points respectively.

On Saturday, BU will celebrate the 10^th season of the women’s program. Brian Durocher (photo), who has been BU's head coach for all 10 seasons, goes into the game with a 198-110-40 record. On Sunday, BU will host its annual Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer game with a pink hockey t-shirt giveaway and other activities.

● GoTerriers.com preview, Game Notes, Game Tracker, Terrier TV webcast

● Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer