Friday, October 18, 2024

Game Day: Terriers host UConn; Oettinger contract extension: Women face Maine

                                Photo credit Mike Last

It’s another doubleheader at Agganis Arena where for both contests, it’s Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer Night.

#3 Terriers begin conference play tonight, taking on UConn at Agganis Arena in a 7 p.m. start. The contest will air on NESN and live-stream on ESPN+ for those outside of New England.

In his weekly media call (link below), Coach Jay Pandolfo touched on several subjects including similarities and difference between Cole Hutson and brother Lane, and his displeasure about allowing six scoring chances in the first seven minutes against Union.

UConn: “They always play us tough. First league game, it’s going to be a good test.”

Alex Zetterberg: “He always seems to make the right play not only with the puck [but also] without the puck. He’s picked everything we’re trying to do, our structure… 

Shane Lachance “He’s a natural leader. It’s easy for him. It’s just what he does. He can be vocal but he leads by example.”

Brehdan Engum. He played very well against Union. I thought he did a heckuva job on the penalty kill. He was good defensively and he’s starting to understand how we play.”

 

After two games, Lachance and Quinn Hutson each have four points, while freshmen Cole Eiserman and Alex Zetterberg each have a pair of goals for BU. Senior Mathieu Caron has been sharp in goal, producing a 1.50 GAA and a .956 save percentage.

The Huskies are 3-1-0, all in non-conference games, after sweeping Colgate and splitting a home-and-home with Holy Cross. 

College Hockey Insider’s pre-season rank for UConn was #32 while the Terriers are CHI's #5 (see below).

UConn’s offense will have a different look after losing Mattew Wood and Samu Salminen in the portal and Chase Bradley to a pro contract. Hudson Schandor returns for a fifth season. Sophomore Jake Richard (4-2-6) and junior Jake Percival (3-2-5) are the points leaders thus far.

The Huskies defense features 6’6” Viking Gustafsson Nyberg, a sophomore, and freshman Kai Janviriya, a one-time Terrier recruit. There is a new, but familiar face in goal. Tyler Muszelik transferred from New Hampshire and has played all four games, producing a 2.28 GAA and a .908 save percentage.

UConn’s penalty kill is at 84.5% but it’s power play, after going 0-12  against the Crusaders, stands at 5.9%.

BU swept a home-and-home series with UConn last season.

       Tonight’s BU lineup

Lachance Greene Q. Hutson

Hughes Copponi Kaplan

Eiserman Bednarik Harvey

Zetterberg Svoboda Amonte

C.Hutson McCarthy 

Boumedienne Willander

Engum Celebrini 

Frechette

Caron

Lacroix


● GoTerriers.com preview, Game Notes, Live Stats, BU All-Access (audio), BU Men’s Hockey Twitter

● Live Stream ESPN+

●  Pandolfo Media Call 

https://goterriers.com/podcasts/coach-pandolfo-media-call-10-17-24/3806


● College Hockey News Tale of the Tape, CHN Insider Podcast with Joe Pereira (choose Lindenwood episode)

● Boston Hockey Blog preview 

https://hockey.dailyfreepress.com/2024/10/18/preview-mens-hockey-prepares-for-conference-game-with-uconn-exhibition-with-harvard/


● USCHO This Week in Hockey East--BU

● Hockey East Game Day links


Photo credit Matt Woolverton

►The Athletic’s Cory Pronman’s 2021 redraft has Lachance, originally selected in the 6th round at #186 by Edmonton, now bumped up to #61, which is late second round. Conversely, former Terrier Tyler Boucher, initially taken at #10 by Ottawa, has slipped to #64.

►Mike McMahon's College Hockey Insider preseason rankings top 5: BC, Denver, Minnesota, Michigan State, BU.
5. Boston University
Last Season: 28-10-2 (2nd in Pairwise, 2nd in HEA)
Recruit Class Ranking: 7th
Predicted League Finish: 2nd (out of 11)
College Hockey Insider Score: 1011.5
Boston University is loaded with young talent, but a sophomore, three juniors, and a senior are the real keys for the Terriers this season. With so much youth, BU will lean heavily on Quinn Hutson, Devin Kaplan, and Ryan Greene on and off the ice. Shane Lachance is only a sophomore, but he's also a captain and definitely in that group.

Finally, goaltender Mathieu Caron is the key to it all. Caron struggled at the start of last season, but he was excellent in the second half. From January 13 through the end of the season, Caron went .921 in 22 games.

When it comes to talent development, BU ranks as one of the best staffs in the country. Jay Pandolfo and Kim Brandvold worked in player development for the Boston Bruins before BU. How quickly can they get these youngsters moving?
Well, last year it was pretty quick.

Bottom Line: BU has a lot of youth, but it's elite-level youth. We're seeing more and more in college hockey that younger players can have impactful freshman seasons. I don't see why BU would be any different this season.

Looking ahead
Neutral Zone evaluated top prospects at the USHL Fall Classic, including 2026 recruit Tynan Lawrence, who currently has a team-best five points (3G,2A) in seven games.

Tynan Lawrence (F, L, 6’0″, 168, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 08/03/2008, Boston University)

Grade: B+

Comments: Tynan Lawrence was one of the more high end players at the Fall Classic. A smart, dynamic center who skates and handles the puck with his eyes up, he’s only 16 but has plenty of time to develop his game. His skates a little bent over at the waist, but is strong on his edges. Lawrence attacks defenders with both his hands and feet in motion, showing confidence with the puck. He posted a goal and an assist against Sioux Falls, setting up a one-timer for Blaricom with a smooth backhand pass after chipping the puck to himself down the right wing. He also stripped the puck from a defender behind the net and attempted a quick wraparound, then later scored after collecting a pass from the right point, and then he picked the goalie’s blocker side. A 6-foot, left-shot, Lawrence is already emerging as an NHL prospect for the 2026 draft.


Looking back

Jake Oettinger has signed an eight-year extension with the Dallas Stars at an average of $8.25M per year, matching the contract recently signed by “honorary Terrier” Jeremy Swayman. 

"Jake has established himself as one of the elite goaltenders in the NHL," Stars general manager Jim Nill said. "His unique blend of poise, size, athleticism, and mental toughness has helped our team reach new heights since he's taken over the net. He is an integral part of our core that will allow us to contend for the Stanley Cup this season, but also for many years to come.

● NHL.com Oettinger signs 8-year, $66 million contract with Stars

Jordan Greenway’s steal and score gave Buffalo a 2-0 lead, but Mike Sullivan’s Penguins stormed back to tie and win in overtime, 6-5.

Charlie Coyle notched his first goals of the season in the Bruins’ 5-3 win against the Avalanche.

Clayton Keller finished off a give and go to give Utah a third-period lead, but the Ducks rallied to tie and won in overtime, 5-4. 

 

 

Women’s Team


#15 Terriers will look to build on last Saturday’s win against Northeastern as they begin a home-and-home-series with Maine. Puck drop at Agganis Arena is at 3 p.m.

BU has a 2-3-0 overall record and is 2-1-0 in Hockey East. After splitting a home series against Providence, the Black Bears are 1-3-0.

Freshman Lola Reid leads the Terriers with a 2-3-5 line, followed by captain Tamara Giaquinto with 2-2-4.

Senior goalie Callie Shanahan earned Hockey East Goaltender of the Week honors for her shutout of the Huskies.

● GoTerriers.com preview, Game Notes, Live Stats, BU All-Access (audio), BU Women’s Hockey Twitter

● Live Stream ESPN+

Looking ahead

Terriers received two commitments for 2026: high-scoring forward Taylor Quinn from NAHA White 19U and Whitby defenseman Kali Maechtel.

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