Saturday, February 05, 2022

Terriers blank Maine; Women tie UConn, win in shootout; Terriers shine at NHL All-Star Skills

Behind two goals from Robert Mastrosimone and a 27-save performance from Vinny Duplessis, #19 BU continued its strong play, blanking Maine, 4-0, at Agganis Arena. The win gave the Terriers a 10-1-1 mark in their last dozen games and kept them in third place in the Hockey East race.

Duplessis, filling in for U.S. Olympian Drew Commesso, was poised and limited second-chance opportunities in his third start of the season, while lowering his GAA to 1.80 (See video highlights) and earning the game's first star.

The Terriers’ speed set the tone from the get-go and quickly led to a power play. Case McCarthy, back in the line-up after missing the last six games, skated into the right circle, deked a defender and fired the puck to the slot. After Luke Tuch got his stick on the puck, captain Logan Cockerill buried it for his fourth goal of the season.

Then at 11:49, Wilmer Skoog carried the puck behind the Maine cage and when defenders gave him some space, he quickly elevated the puck and deposited it over Victor Ostman’s right shoulder for his ninth goal—and second lacrosse goal of his career. Mastrosimone and Joe Campolieto had the assists.

UPDATE: Skoog's goal was #2 on SportsCenter's Top 10, while Zegras' blindfolded breakaway (see below) was #4. 2nd Top 10 this week for Skoog.

The second period was BU’s most dominant of the season in terms of shots (26 to 3) and puck possession. Five minutes into the period, Mastrosimone skated into the zone and sent a diagonal pass that eluded Ty Amonte. The senior center battled for the puck in the corner and tipped it to Max Kaufman, who rifled a pass to Mastrosimone just outside the left post for his 10th goal of the season.

Five minutes later, the Long Island native struck again. In the offensive zone, Matt Brown tied up a Maine clearing attempt along the boards, sending the puck to Domenick Fensore at the right point. He closed to the top of the circle and wristed a shot that Mastrosimone redirected over Ostman’s glove for a 4-0 lead.

BU had numerous chances to extend the score. A wrap-around attempt was reviewed but didn’t completely cross the goal line and Tuch’s shot from the left circle eight minutes in caught the inside of the post. Ostman made several top-notch saves as well, including on Brown's power move to the net.

Duplessis, who had a relatively quiet night after two periods, got busier in the third period. Aided by a pair of BU penalties, the Black Bears outshot their hosts 15-4, but the sophomore from Quebec handled them all to complete the shutout and then was mobbed by his teammates.

                             Photo credit Kyle Prudhomme

BU had a 33-24 edge at the face off dot, despite Maine narrowing the margin in the third period. Jay O’Brien won 12 of 16 draws. And once again, the Terriers hit double-digits in blocked shots with 14.

With 11 goals, Mastrosimone has exceeded the ten tallies he had over his first two seasons.

Following the game, a very pleased Coach Albie O'Connell said, “When we play the right way, we’re hard to deal with. Guys are pretty focused right off the drop of the puck. When you score first––percentage wise––you have a better chance of winning.”

He added, "The second period was one of the best periods we've played all year." 

"Duplessis hasn’t played in a while, and he got a shutout. He was pretty sharp. He was aggressive in his paint, and he did a good job," O'Connell observed.

The second-year netminder gave credit to teammates for blocked shos and strong defense, and for the lift he got from the student section.

"It gave me a lot of extra energy today,” Duplessis explained after the game “I heard a couple Vinny chants here and there––that’s always pretty funny.” 

Next up for BU is Monday’s opening game of the Beanpot against Harvard. It’s the early game, a 5 p.m. start at TD Garden.

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

● Video highlights and post-game comments: O'Connell, Skoog, Duplessis

● Boston Hockey Blog recap 

● WTBU Sports recap 

Looking ahead

2022 recruit Devin Kaplan, returning to the NTDP U18 lineup after being sidelined by injury, scored a goal and added an assist as Team USA outscored Muskegon, 9-8. Defenseman Lane Hutson had three assists for the U18s while his brother, Quinn Hutson, scored his 21st and 22nd goals for the Lumberjacks and has a team-high 49 points.

 

Looking back

Trevor Zegras and Clayton Keller showed why they were invited to participate in the NHL All-Star Skills event.

 

Women’s Team

Senior Mackenna Parker scored a third period shorthanded goal to tie #10 UConn at 1-1 and then scored the shootout winner at Walter Brown Arena. Freshman Callie Shanahan stopped 32 shots, including five in overtime, then turned aside two shootout attempts.

After a scoreless first period, the Huskies took a 1-0 lead midway through the second. Minutes later, with BU on a penalty kill, Parker broke up a play, skated in alone and scored her ninth goal.

UConn threatened several times in overtime, but Shanahan slammed the door each time. After Kylie Roberts gave BU a 1-0 shootout lead after two rounds, Parker ripped her opportunity home to give BU the extra point.

Terriers are back on the ice tomorrow, visiting BC Saturday afternoon. Game Day links.

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

 

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