No Valentine for BU; 3rd period rally falls short

#2/3 Terriers’ attempt to come back from a 4-0 deficit fell short by a goal as BU dropped a 4-3 decision to New Hampshire at the Whittemore Center in Durham. Captain Matt Grzelcyk scored twice in a 14 second span and Evan Rodrigues narrowed the margin to one; but, despite several grade A chances with the goalie pulled for an extra attacker, BU failed to produce the equalizer.

After putting pressure on the Wildcats on the game’s first two shifts, BU gave up a goal when Shane Eiserman was left unchecked behind the net and was able to walk out front and beat Matt O’Connor five hole. Energized by the goal, UNH took control, winning most of the battles for loose pucks and keeping BU bottled up in its own end. Late in the period, New Hampshire doubled the lead. A lost d-zone faceoff led to a slapper from the point that hit a Terrier’s stick and then deflected in off Jamie Hill.

Terriers created numerous scoring chances in the second period; but it was the Wildcats who found the net. Just seconds into a power play, O’Connor stopped a shot from the left circle; but the rebound went directly to unmarked Warren Foegel, who was positioned to the left of the netminder, for an easy goal. Coach David Quinn called timeout and, attempting to change the momentum, pulled O’Connor and inserted Connor LaCouvee in goal. Continued UNH pressure in the BU zone led to a wide-open Jay Camper one-timing a shot for a 4-0 lead. The pendulum then swung BU’s way as the Terriers swarmed the Wildcat net, but were stoned by goalie Danny Tirone.  Danny O’Regan was denied on a backhander from the goalmouth and both Matt Lane and Jack Eichel rang shots off iron, Eichel’s coming with a second left in the period.

BU continued to dominate in the third period, finally finding the net in the fifth minute on Grzelcyk’s back-to-back goals. After Rodrigues made it 4-3, BU pressed for the tie, but couldn’t beat Tirone, who made a critical save on Eichel with a minute left.

With the loss, BU failed to clinch a tie for the Hockey East regular season title and the race tightened up as second place BC held off Vermont for a 6-5 win. The Terriers lead the Eagles by four points and hold a game in hand.

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

● Video highlights

● Daily Free Press recap and Impressive Comeback Attempt

● Boston Hockey Blog Pluses & Minuses

● Post-game comments: Coach David Quinn (video, transcript), Rodrigues

● HockeyEastOnline recap

● Union Leader recap

Looking ahead

2015 recruit Maxim Letnuv scored his 19^th goal of the season—and third in two nights—as Youngstown completed a sweep of Dubuque with a 3-2 win.

2015 recruit Robert Carpenter’s 21^st goal brought Sioux City even with Tri-City, but the Musketeers were edged in a shootout, 3-2.

2016 recruit Clayton Keller scored twice for the NTDP U17s, who dropped a 6-3 decision to Madison. The center from Swansea, Ill, leads the U17s in goals (24) and assists (32).

● USA Hockey recap

Looking back

Colin Wilson’s 18^th goal of the season proved to be the game-winner for Nashville as the Predators defeated New Jersey, 3-1.

● Recap and video

● USA Today recap

Alex Chiasson (photo) scored his 9^th goal of the season and added his 11^th assist as Ottawa thumped Edmonton, 7-2.

● Recap and video

Women’s Team

Junior Sarah Lefort’s hat trick powered the #7 Terriers to a 6-1 win over Providence at Schneider Arena. BU also received goals from freshmen Victoria Bach and Rebecca Leslie and from senior captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who scored her team-leading 21^st goal and had a three-point game. Freshman goalie Erin O’Neil turned aside 27 Friar shots. The teams meet again on Monday at Walter Brown Arena. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score