Lowell tops BU, 3-2, in QF opener

Power plays proved to be the deciding factor as the #8 Terriers dropped a 3-2 decision to #11 Lowell in the opener of the best-of-three Hockey East quarterfinals. The River Hawks capitalized on two of four man-advantage opportunities, while the Terriers didn’t score on its two chances.

After a scoreless first period, BU took the lead when Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson took a Danny O’Regan pass in the left circle, closed toward the net and beat goalie Kevin Boyle. Minutes later, Lowell answered on the power play when Joe Gambardella took an entry pass at the left post and beat Sean Maguire.

Terriers dominated shots in the third period, 18 to six, and nearly regained the lead when Bobo Carpenter set up Matt Lane at the goalmouth, but the assistant captain was robbed by Boyle. Midway through the period, a neutral-ice turnover led to Michael Louria’s goal from the high slot that deflected off a defender and eluded Maguire. Lowell extended the lead to 3-1 with its second power play goal as Adam Chapie, all alone to Maguire’s right, converted a cross-ice pass.

Just 23 seconds later, BU cut the margin to one when Bobo Carpenter redirected captain Matt Grzelcyk’s wrist shot from the point. Terriers pressed for the equalizer and pulled Maguire with about two minutes left, but Boyle slammed the door to preserve the win for Lowell.

Commenting on BU’s special teams problems, Head Coach David Quinn said:

“Our penalty kill let us down. It’s going to have to get better tomorrow night if we’re going to have a chance to extend the series. You can’t allow a cross-ice pass like that to a guy standing all alone on the backdoor. We had a lot of puck-watching and weren’t alert. On both their [power-play] goals, we blew our responsibility.”

BU had a 35-19 shot advantage and also dominated in the faceoff circle where Forsbacka Karlsson won 20 of 28 draws.

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

● Video highlights

● Post-game comments: Quinn

● Boston Hockey Blog: Pluses & Minuses

● Daily Free Press recap; Special teams

● USCHO recap

Looking ahead

Chad Krys @USAHockeyNTDP OT-winner #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/p15yyVTrSV

— USHL (@USHL) March 12, 2016

2016 recruit Chad Krys scored with 22.5 seconds left in overtime to give the NTDP U18s a 4-3 win against the Tri-City Storm. Kieffer Bellows, who assisted on the game-winner and another U18 goal, recorded his 40^th score of the campaign on a second-period power play with Krys adding a helper. Clayton Keller also had an assist, raising his team-leading point total to 83. Goalie Jake Oettinger turned aside 31 shots to claims his 20^th win of the season.

● Tri-City recap

● USA Hockey box score

► Tonight's rematch between the U18s and Tri-City is being live-streamed free on FastHockey.com.

  

2016 recruit Dante Fabbro assisted on a pair of goals in Penticton’s 5-0 playoff win against Vernon.  Fabbro, who had 67 points during the regular season, has six thus far in the playoffs as the Vees eliminated Vernon.

● BCHL box score

● Vees Blog recap