Wolverines roll, 9-2; Terrier women blank UNH

 

                                    Photo credit Julia Schlachinger

The much anticipated early-season match-up with Michigan went South quickly as a pair of 5-minute majors against BU led to three 5-on-3 goals en route to a 9-2 drubbing at the hands of the Wolverines at Yost Ice Arena. The Terriers have Saturday off and will regroup for Sunday afternoon’s rematch.

BU started fast and nearly scored in the first minute when Luke Tuch set up Wilmer Skoog just outside the crease, but goalie Erik Portillo made a strong save. Case McCarthy took an interference penalty, which BU killed, but just as it ended, an unmarked Gavin Brindley converted a rebound just outside the crease. 

The turning point came when Tuch and Jay O’Brien were called for five-minute majors for contact to the head 56 seconds apart. Before the penalties had ended, Michigan had scored three 5-on-3 goals for a 4-0 lead after one period. 

Early in the middle period with the teams skating four-a-side, Michigan scored two more, prompting Coach Jay Pandolfo to replace junior Drew Commesso with classmate Vinny Duplessis.

 

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6-1 now. Luke Tuch finishes off the 2 on 0 to get BU on the board. pic.twitter.com/hTuSJ76jZJ

— Boston Hockey Blog (@BOShockeyblog) October 15, 2022

BU finally scored when Sam Stevens fired the puck out of the d-zone resulting in a two-on-none for Tuch and Matt Brown. A series of pass set up Tuch for a tap-in. Michigan’s Mackie Samoskevich replied a few minutes later.

 

Midway through the final period Luke Hughes’ blast made it 8-1 before Rutger McGroarty capped the Wolverines scoring. In the final minute with BU on a power play, Brown set up Ethan Phillips in the slot for a quick one-timer.

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Ethan Phillips fires one home with 30.6 seconds to go. pic.twitter.com/xQcINrxLpY

— Boston Hockey Blog (@BOShockeyblog) October 15, 2022

 

Stating the obvious, Pandolfo said, “We put ourselves in a hole taking the two five-minute-majors. It’s not a good way to start a game. Glad it’s the second game of the season, and we need to learn from this.”

“I want us to play hard, but you also have to play smart,” he added. “We have to put it behind us, it’s all you can do. You can’t dwell on it.” 

For the game Michigan outshot BU, 34-28. A bright spot for the Terriers was at the faceoffs where they won 45 of 72 draws. Skoog, O’Brien and Stevens combined to win 33 of 47. 

 

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

● Coach Pandolfo’s post-game interview

● Video highlights (from Michigan)

● Boston Hockey Blog recap

 

Looking ahead

2023 recruit Shane Lachance scored a pair of goals in Youngstown’s 4-3 loss to Madison. The Phantoms' captain, who has three goals and two assists in four games, was named the game’s second star

 

Women’s Team

The Terriers began their Hockey East schedule with 2-0 win against New Hampshire at the Whittemore Center. Grad student Andrea Brändli pitched her second shutout in as many starts, stopping all 26 shots she faced.

BU took a first period lead on a Tamara Giaquinto goal, assisted by Kylie Roberts and Jessie DeVito. The 1-0 margin held up until midway through the final period when freshman Clara Yuhn found Christina Vote in the slot and the sophomore roof a shot to double the lead. DeVito also assisted. 

The Terriers, now 2-1-0 overall, will host the Wildcats Saturday at Walter Brown Arena, beginning at 3 p.m. The game will  stream live on ESPN+. 

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

● Video highlights

● Post-game comments: Coach Jay Pandolfo