Terriers and Irish knotted, 2-2

#2/3 Terriers and Notre Dame played to a 2-2 overtime tie at Agganis Arena.  With BC and Lowell also playing to a 2-2 tie, BU has clinched a share of the Hockey East regular-season crown as well as a bye in the first round of the conference playoffs.

Following a scoreless first period in which BU had a 14-5 shot advantage, the visitors took a lead on Jake Evans unassisted goal, a hard wrist shot from the circle to Matt O’Connor’s left. Midway through the second, Nick Roberto responded, knocking home the rebound of a Jack Eichel shot, with Brandon Fortunato also assisting.

BU grabbed the lead 31 seconds into the third period. Assistant captain Evan Rodrigues set up Danny O’Regan right at the crease, which Irish goalie Cal Peterson stopped. However, Rodrigues converted the rebound for his 14^th goal. Matt Grzelcyk also assisted on the play.  Despite limiting the Irish to five third-period shots, Notre Dame scored the equalizer with less than four minutes remaining on Anders Bjork’s wrist shot to the short side.

Terriers limited the Irish to 19 shots, while firing 36 shots on Peterson—13 in the third period. Coach David Quinn remarked:

“From a defensive standpoint, that’s the best we’ve played in a while. We did a really good job defending. We did a nice job keeping them on the perimeter. We stayed on the [defensive] side of people. There was good communication. We had pretty good support at the net front. If we can defend like that, we're going to have a chance."

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

● Video highlights

● Daily Free Press recap, Roberto makes presence felt

● Boston Hockey Blog Pluses & Minuses

● SB Nation recap

● USCHO recap

● Post-game comments: Quinn (video), Roberto (video)

► BU and Notre Dame conclude the two-game series tonight with a 7 p.m. puck drop at Agganis Arena.  Terriers will be wearing a special jersey to mark Autism Speaks Night and the game-worn jerseys will be auctioned with the funds going to the charitable organization the team has supported since 2004.

► Coaches and members of BU’s 1995 national championship team were recognized during the first intermission and also autographed commemorative posters before the game. (1995 roster)

Looking ahead

2015 recruit Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson scored a goal and added two assists for Omaha as the Lancers thumped the NTDP U17s, 7-1.  With 49 points (14G, 35A), he’s tied for second in USHL scoring.

2016 recruit Kieffer Bellows scored his 25^th goal in Sioux Falls’ 5-0 blanking of Fargo and is tied for second in the USHL in goal-scoring.

Looking back

Former Terrier Matt Nieto talked with Fox Sports about playing an outdoor game when his San Jose Sharks face the Los Angeles Kings today at Levi’s Stadium.

Women’s Team

#6 Terriers conclude the regular season this afternoon, as they will host top-ranked BC at Walter Brown Arena.  The 3 p.m. game will feature the eighth annual ChilliFest for fans as well as Senior Day ceremonies recognizing Captain Marie-Philip Poulin, Sarah Bayersdorfer, Caroline Campbell, Shannon Doyle, Shannon Stoneburgh and manager Joe Cappucio.

● GoTerriers.com preview, GameTracker, TerrierTV webcast