Saturday, January 23, 2021

Terriers extend streak to five with 5-1 win UPDATED

After eeking out an overtime win on Friday, BU brought its “A game” to Walter Brown Arena and dominated Maine, 5-1, for a fifth consecutive win in the delayed season. Senior assistant captain David Farrance matched a career-best assisting on three tallies while sophomores Robert Mastrosimone and Jay O’Brien each had a goal and as assist.  Freshman goalie Drew Commesso came within minutes of his first career shutout, yielding a power play goal late in the third period and only allowing one even-strength goal in the two-game series.

 For the third time in four games, Dylan Peterson provided the Terriers with an early first-period lead. After Farrance hustled to keep the puck in the offensive zone, Nick Zabaneh found the senior defenseman in the left circle drawing the attention of three Black Bear defenders. The All-American blueliner sent the puck cross ice to Peterson at the bottom of the right circle for a wrister that beat goalie Victor Ostman high.

 Five minutes into the middle period, BU connected on its first power play goal of the weekend.  Domenick Fensore slid the puck across to Farrance, who was watched closely as he drifted to the center point before backhanding a pass to O’Brien for a one-timer from the top of the right circle. Initially the goal was credited to the Flyer’s draft pick, but a review showed it glanced off the shinpad of Wilmer Skoog who was screening the goalie.

Late in the period, Alex Vlasic nudged the puck along the boards in the BU end to Mastrosimone who raced up the right side. At the Maine blueline he caromed the puck off the boards to get around a defender, closed to the right circle and snapped a shot past Ostman for a 3-0 lead.

Maine’s hopes to get back into the game were dashed in the opening minute of the third period. Farrance evaded a forecheck deep in the BU end and sent Mastrosimone up ice in what became a 3-on-1. The puck went to freshman Luke Tuch in stride at center ice and he rifled home a wrist shot from the left faceoff dot to make it 4-0.

 Mastrosimone nearly scored again on the rush midway through the third period.

The visitors avoided a shutout with a late power play goal when Adam Dawe, who had scored a shorthander on Friday, skated around the BU cage and attempted a wrap-around. The initial call was “no goal” but a review indicated it crossed the goal line. Maine pulled its goalie with about three minutes left and O’Brien, assisted by Vlasic and newly-minted assistant captain Max Kaufman, found the empty net from center ice.

►Maine’s power play goal was the first yielded by the Terriers since the first period of the 4-2 win over UMass and broke a streak of 17 successful kills.

►The last time the Terriers won five straight games was 2018, when they began the postseason with five victories in a row before falling in the NCAA  regional final.

► Three Stars: 1. Commesso, 2. Farrance, 3. O’Brien

Defkit’s Terrier Takeaway

- Overall, I thought this was the Terriers’ best game of the season. It helps to have a lead of more than a goal or two, but they seemed to be more in control and played a smart game with the lead. Having McCarthy back really made a difference, especially today. They didn't have to rely on Jarman and Campolieto as much.

- Commesso continues to impress. He seems to be in the right position for every shot. It's too bad he let that wrap-around sneak in, but thankfully it made no difference in the outcome of the game.

- Opponents’ respect for/concern about Farrance continues to create opportunities for teammates. Today the beneficiary was Peterson, as Farrance drew the attention of several defenders before setting up Peterson’s goal.

- Peterson has shown he has a very good shot with a quick release. Two of his three goals have been on cross-crease passes, and he has made sure to bury them.

- A great weekend for Mastrosimone, obviously (2G,2A). He is one of those players that needs to elevate their game to replace Zegras and Harper, and he seemed to find his groove this weekend.

- Kaufman has been a nice pick-up. He plays a smart game and is obviously good in the locker room, given that he was made assistant captain.

- Fensore is being a little sloppy with the puck, but it didn't hurt us today. I'm sure he'll continue to learn from Farrance.

- To be able to sweep this weekend without Cockerill especially, but also Wise and Phillips (and Amonte, of course), really says something about the depth of this team. Guys like Boguslavsky and Stevens are providing good bottom 6 minutes.

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

● Video Highlights

● Post-game comments O’Connell

● Boston Hockey Blog recap

● WTBU Sports recap

 

Looking back

Charlie Coyle scored a goal and added an assist in the Bruins' 6-1 thumping of the Flyers. Charlie McAvoy also had a helper for Boston.

Brady Tkachuk scored his second goal in the Senators' 6-3 loss to Winnipeg.

 

Women’s Team

Terriers made their return to action after six weeks a successful one, edging Maine, 1-0, at Walter Brown Arena, as senior goalie Corinne Schroeder notched her seventh career shutout. Classmate Nara Elia scored the game’s only goal early in the middle period, assisted by Andi Calderone and Kaleigh Donnelly.

The teams meet again today at 3 p.m. Watch on College Sports Live.

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

● Video highlights

 

 

 

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