Sunday, October 19, 2025

A gut-punch ending; Terriers fall in overtime

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One-third of a puck. That's all that stood between the #1 Terriers and a come-from-behind win against #3/4 Michigan State. After rallying from a 3-1 third-period deficit to tie the score, BU appeared to score in overtime when Cole Eiserman's shot went through MSU's Trey Augustine, but before the puck completely crossed the goal line, it was swept out by Shane Vansaghi. 

His clear sent the puck off the boards and up ice, creating a two-on-one with only Gavin McCarthy back. Matt Gasgall one-timed a pass from freshman Ryker Lee and beat Mikhail Yegorov to the stick side from 20 feet.  A video review confirmed that Eiserman's shot failed to clear the goal line.

In a matter of seconds the Terriers and their fans had gone from an apparent thrilling win to a crushing defeat.

"No question, it's a positive after last night," said Coach Jay Pandolfo post-game.

Moving forward, he said "We have to compete like we did tonight. That's the thing we learned. Last night, third period, I'm not saying we quit, but we did not compete. And tonight we did. So we got to build off that." 

While the Terriers' began the game miles better than they did Friday, Michigan State still had more puck possession time and a 14-7 shot advantage. The Spartans opened the scoring at 8:46 when Lee stick-handled behind the BU defense and roofed a shot over Yegorov.           

BU upped its game in the second period with better breakouts and had a 12-7 shot advantage with better chances, largely due to three MSU penalties.  Goalie Trey Augustine stoned an Eiserman blast from the right circle midway through the period. The visitors killed each of the power plays and then doubled their lead. A battle behind the BU cage sent the puck to an unmarked Porter Martone outside the crease for a quick finish.

Terriers finally solved Augustine two minutes into the third period, Strong work behind the MSU goal line by Ben Merrill set up McCarthy for a one-timer from the right circle that whizzed past the goalie's blocker. Brandon Svoboda picked up the secondary assist. 2-1.  

A D-zone gaffe less than a minute later quieted the BU crowd. Martone intercepted a pass just inside the Terrier blueline, creating yet another two-on-one. Drawing Aiden Celebrini towards him, Martone slid the puck to Tommi Mannisto who fired it past Yegorov on the stick side.

A Cole Hutson interference penalty at 11:43 gave the Spartans a chance to extend the lead, but Kamil Bednarik poked the puck free just outside the MSU blueline, raced it toward the net and beat Augustine high to the blocker side. The unassisted tally brought the Terriers within one.  

Just two minutes later, BU tied the score when Conrad Fondrk redirected Sascha Boummedienne's shot from the left point past Augustine. [See highlights linked below].

In the 3-on-3 overtime, both teams were cautious, carrying the puck out of the offensive zone when there was no shooting opportunity.  With just over a minute left in the extra session, Owen McLaughlin raced into the offensive on a 2-on-1 rush. He dished the puck to Eiserman for a one-timer from the bottom of the circle that trickled through Augustine and appeared to cross the goal line.But a linesman quickly signaled no goal.             

Seconds later, the Spartans were celebrating a hard-fought win and a series sweep.

On the Terriers' near game-winner, Pandolfo explained, "I think it just didn't quite get over. I honestly haven't looked at it fully, but [the officials], I'm sure, had a pretty good view."

Bednarik took most of the key faces in the final period when BU shortened the bench, skating three lines and two defense pairs. Pandolfo explained:

"I have a lot of trust in Kamil, the way he plays the game. He's always very good positionally, very good defensively, has a great stick. He's very smart, and he's got more offensive skill than people realize. He's a really responsible 200-foot centerman."

Final shots were 34 for each team. Augustine stopped 31 while Yegorov saved 30. Neither team converted on a power play with BU going 0-4 and MSU 0-2.

● GoTerriers.com recap and box score

● Highlights and Post-game Pandolfo

● Boston Hockey Blog BUmen’s hockey falls to Michigan State 4-3 in overtime

 

Looking ahead

2026 recruit Viktor Norringer scored his third goal in Muskegon's 4-3 win over Dubuque. The 6'3" right wing has six points in eight games. 

2027 recruit James Scantlebury assisted on a pair of goals in Chicago's 4-3 win over Madison. He has a 2-7-9 line in nine games. 

2026 recruit Caleb Malhotra scored his fifth goal and added an assist in Brantford's 9-3 win against Brampton. The 6'2" center has 16 points in ten games.  


2026 recruit Braidy Wassilyn set up the overtime game-winner as Niagara edged Erie, 4-3. 

  

Looking back

Jack Eichel assisted on four Vegas goals as the Golden Knights routed Calgary, 6-1.  He sits atop the NHL points list with 15 points

 

 

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