Dogfight ahead: Terriers to host Northeastern in HE quarterfinals; St. Seb's wing commits to BU

After a bye week in the first round of the Hockey East tournament, BU will host cross-town rival Northeastern in the quarterfinals. The Huskies advanced by sweeping Connecticut with 3-1 and 5-1 victories.  The best-of-three series begins Friday at Agganis Arena with puck drop at 7 p.m.  Game 2 of the series on Saturday night will air live on NESN and on the American Sports Network in national outlets.

● HockeyEastOnline.com report

►Terriers dropped one notch to #8 in the USCHO weekly poll, but moved up one spot to #6 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll.

Looking ahead

For the third time in recent weeks, BU has received a verbal commitment for its 2020 recruit class. Over the weekend, St. Sebastian’s freshman right wing Liam Connors gave his commitment to BU. Skating on the Arrows' top line, the 5-8, 155 forward produced 15 goals and 13 assists in 29 games, helping St. Sebastian’s reach the semifinals of the NEPSIHA Large School tournament.

4 star prospect Liam Connors (St. Sebastain's) commits to BU. Smaller fwd w/ burst, high hockey IQ, quick shot & swift, elusive stick.

— Neutral Zone (@_Neutral_Zone) March 7, 2017

Last month, SB Nation’s Jeff Cox ranked Connors #6 among top ’01 uncommitted prep players, noting:

6. Liam Connors, #12 St. Sebastian’s, Fr., Right Wing, Shoots Right, 2/1/01, 5-8/150 - He's an undersized forward who is quick, slippery and crafty. His speed is dynamic enough that he can blow by defenders to the outside. He has a great motor and when he's at his best, his feet never stop moving. His speed and quickness make him a threat in prep, but his size is what keeps him outside the top five on this list.

More recently, reviewing a game performance, Cox added:

He has a very good offensive skill set and a high compete level. His feet are always moving. He is slick with the puck and can make plays in traffic because of his hands and agility, despite his lack of size. He made one move that left the crowd gasping after he split two defenders and got off a backhander that was saved.

A product of the Middlesex Flames organization, Connors played elite midget hockey last fall for the Neponset Valley River Rats 16Us, generating 18 points in 13 games. The Westborough, Massachusetts native played in last summer’s USA Hockey Select 15 Camp and recently was drafted by the Junior Bruins for the new National Collegiate Development Conference of the USPHL.

● Elite Prospects Page. 
● Boston Hockey Blog report

2018 (or 2019) recruit Joel Farabee was named USHL Forward of the Week following his 4 goal, 3 assist performance in the NTDP U18s’ two-game sweep of Waterloo. The standout forward from Cicero, NY scored the game-winner Friday with just 10 seconds left in regulation. On Saturday, his natural hat trick (video) in the second period brought Team USA from a 3-2 deficit to a 5-3 lead, en route to an 8-3 romp. After scoring 31 points (18G, 13A) for the U17s, he moved up to the U18s and has 10 points in seven games

● USHL.com report

● USA Hockey.com report

Looking back

Jack Eichel’s 18^th goal gave Buffalo a three-goal lead Sunday night, but Pittsburgh roared back to win 4-3. The tally, the 40^th of his career, extended his scoring streak to a career best 10. Nick Bonino assisted on the game-tying goal for the Penguins.

● NHL.com recap and video

Buffalo Hockey Beat looks at how a successful shift from wing to center became Evan Rodrigues’ ticket from the AHL to a regular spot in the Sabres’ line-up