The plan had been for Patrick Harper to spend a season in the USHL before arriving on Commonwealth Ave. in 2017. However, after the 5'9", 160 lb. speedster racked up 59 points for Avon Old Farms, earning USHR's Prep Forward of the Year honors, Coach David Quinn and his staff determined he was ready for the jump to Division 1. Last night, Harper put the reasons for their confidence on display for BU fans.
In a penalty-riddled exhibition game at Agganis Arena, the
#4-ranked Terriers thumped Prince Edward Island, 10-2, behind Harper’s five goals and two assists and classmate Clayton Keller’s hat trick. Freshman Dante
Fabbro and junior Brandon Hickey also found the net for BU.
Seven of the scores were special team goals with the
Terriers connecting on six of 11 power plays and on Harper’s third-period
shorthander.
Sophomore Charlie McAvoy assisted on four goals while
sophomore Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and freshman Chad Krys each recorded three
helpers. BU scored four times in both the first and second periods and twice in
the third.
Harper opened the scoring by taking a JFK pass at center
ice, splitting the defense and roofing a shot at 3:16. Three minutes later,
sophomore Jordan Greenway found Keller at the goalmouth and the rout was on.
Junior Connor LaCouvee stopped 11 of 13 shots, yielding
two scores on 5-on-3 power plays. Freshman Jake Oettinger (7 saves) and
sophomore Max Prawdzik (10) each pitched a shutout period.
BU killed 12 of 14 penalties including several two-man
disadvantages. Terriers won 40 of 78 draws with Karlsson and Keller combining
for 26 of 38 face-off wins.
Commenting on Harper's performance, captain Doyle Somerby, who, like Harper, came to BU directly from prep school, noted:
Commenting on Harper's performance, captain Doyle Somerby, who, like Harper, came to BU directly from prep school, noted:
"His play speaks for itself, he’s extremely skilled as you guys saw. Five goals is tremendous, but it doesn’t surprise me with the work ethic that he puts in and the skill level that he has and how elusive he can be.”
Three stars: 1. Harper, 2.Keller, 3. McAvoy
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Looking ahead
2017 recruit Ty Amonte assisted on a tying goal late in
the third period in Penticton’s 3-2 overtime win against
Trail. The right-shot forward has points in seven of the Vees’ eight games and
12 points overall
2017 recruit Hank Crone registered an assist in Fargo’s 5-2
loss to Sioux City.
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