Tucker backbones Terrier upset of UMass

Terriers rode a 49-saves performance by Sam Tucker and a three-goal second period to a 4-3 win against #5 UMass at Agganis Arena. BU, which received goals from Matt Quercia, captain Patrick Curry, Gabe Chabot and David Farrance, led 4-0 after two and withstood a three-goal Minutemen comeback.

How To Open The Scoring

by Matthew Quercia pic.twitter.com/uXtjNAZLvA

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) November 16, 2019

Tucker had to be sharp from the get-go as the visitors poured 21 shots on the Terrier goal in the first period, but the only tally came of Quercia’s stick seven minutes in. The 6’3” sophomore controlled the rebound of Curry’s shot from the high slot and backhanded the puck past Matt Murray, with Trevor Zegras adding an assist.

Close call at the end of the first, but Tuck is there for his 21st save of the period. pic.twitter.com/uhTlYbcggh

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) November 16, 2019

At 3:31 of the second, Cam Crotty, who returned to the line-up after missing the past three games with an injury, set up Patrick Harper for a sharp-angle attempt that slid across the crease behind Murray. Curry, who had position on the UMass defender, knocked the loose puck home for a 2-0 lead.

It all started with a little chip by Zegras... 2-0 lead! #GoBU pic.twitter.com/vAyUswR5pe

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) November 16, 2019

Just two-and-a-half minutes later, Chabot gained control behind the UMass goal, skated the puck to the left circle and wristed a shot high to Murray’s stick side for his second goal of the season. Jake Witkowski assisted on the score.

Hard work along the boards pays off, kids. #GoBU pic.twitter.com/HPIQbVtD0M

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) November 16, 2019

UMass continued to dominate the shot clock with another 17 shots that Tucker would turn aside including a pair of breakaways. The second was slick glove save on a 2-on-0.

A Minutemen penalty late in the period provided the opportunity to extend the lead. BU would cash in with some slick passing from Harper and Robert Mastrosimone setting up Farrance just outside the crease for his team-leading ninth goal.

David Farrance has nine goals and it's not even Turkey Day.

David Farrance is a defenseman.#GoBU pic.twitter.com/Iav7lWhc8L

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) November 16, 2019

UMass got on the board in the first minute of the third period when an unmarked Gianfranco Cassaro rapped home the rebound of John Leonard’s shot. Three minutes later, Oliver Chau converted a goalmouth pass from Mitchell Chaffee on a 2-on-1 rush, cutting the lead to 4-2. Midway through the period Zac Jones took an uncontested shot from the left faceoff dot and beat Tucker high to the glove side.

Tucker would shut the door for the remaining of the game registering another 11 saves in the third period, including a slick glove save with just under three minutes remaining and a final attempt at the buzzer with an extra attacker on for UMass.

“Tucker was the difference,” said BU head coach Albie O’Connell. “Sometimes a goalie needs to be the best player for you to win.”

Farrance’s nine goals is tied for the conference lead and is tops for all Division 1 blueliners. He also leads all D1 defensemen with 15 points. Farrance and Harper are tied for the Terrier scoring lead with 15 points each.

The teams complete their home-and-home series tonight at the Mullins Center in Amherst with puck drop set for 8 p.m. Live stream is available on CBS All-Access.

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

● Video highlights and post-game comments: O'Connell, Tucker, Chabot

● Boston Hockey Blog recap, 3 Takeaways 

Episode 6 of Inside BU Hockey features Bernie Corbett's interviews with Coach O'Connell, senior assistant captain Harper and UMass radio voice Brock Hines.

 

Looking ahead

2020 recruit Jay O’Brien scored his 15^th goal and assisted on three others in Penticton’s 6-3 win against Salmon Arm. The Hingham, Mass., native has 39 points in 25 games, second in BCHL scoring.

● PentictonVees.com recap

2020 recruit Wilmer Skoog scored his 13^th goal in Maryland’s 4-3 shootout win against New Jersey. With 28 points in 20 games, he leads the NAHL with 1.4 points per game and has a goal in each of his last four games.

2020 recruit Brian Carrabes scored his fifth goal in Sioux Falls’ 5-2 loss to Sioux City.

Looking back

Charlie Coyle scored his third goal and assisted on the game winner in the Bruins’ 4-2 win against Toronto. Matt Grzelcyk assisted on Coyle’s tally.

● NHL.com recap and video highlights

Women’s Team

Terriers dropped a 4-2 decision to #6 BC at Walter Brown Arena Friday night. BU led the Eagles, 2-1, after two periods behind a pair of goals from junior Kristina Schuler, but the Eagles scored three times in the final period, including an empty-net tally as BU pressed from an equalizer. Deziray DeSousa assisted on both Terrier goals, while Corinne Schroeder stopped 26 BC shots.

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score