Saturday, October 18, 2025

Spartans skate past BU, 4-2; Women edged at Brown

 

Hockey player in scarlet and white Boston University uniform with helmet skates on ice surface gripping stick positioned near net during match against green and white Michigan State Spartans team banners for Best of Boston and Canes Hockey East visible behind glass along with crowd spectators scoreboard displays final score BU 2 MSU 4 

#3/4 Michigan State scored three first-period goals--two on breakaways--and defeated #1 Terriers, 4-2, before a sellout crowd of 6,148 at Agganis Arena. The much anticipated match-up—the front end of a two-game series—drew dozens of scouts to see the combined 34 NHL draft picks on the ice.

Following the game, Coach Jay Pandolfo pulled no punches describing his dissatisfaction with his team's performance in its first major test of the season. Click here.

 

Puck management issues dogged the Terriers, especially in the opening period.  A weak D to D pass off the opening face off quickly led to an MSU 2-on-1. Then, a holding penalty to Carter Amico gave the Spartans a man-advantage. With just one second left on the power play, Matt Basgall's shot from the right point was redirected home by Charlie Stramel from just outside the crease. 

On the ensuing play, Austin Baker cross-checked Cole Hutson, a target of the Spartans all night, drawing a five-minute major and a game misconduct. Ninety-seconds into the extended power play, a drop pass was mishandled at center ice by Conrad Fondrk and MSU's Eric Nilson was off to the races. He beat Mikhail Yegorov to the glove side, doubling the visitors' lead. 

BU had several grade A chances during the power play but couldn't put a puck behind Trey Augustine.

After Yegorov fended off another breakaway and several Spartan shots were blocked, BU was back on the power play and the second unit made this one count. Jack Murtagh took a pass from Jack Harvey, drove to the right circle and dropped a pass to Fondrk. He slid the puck to Sascha Boumedienne for a 50-foot snapshot that beat Augustine with Kamil Bednarik setting a screen. The Swedish defenseman's first goal cut the lead to 2-1.

That lasted just two minutes. A shot by Cole Eiserman missed the net and came out to Gavin O'Connell at the BU blue line. His headman pass sent freshman Cayden Lindstrom in alone and he beat Yegorov five-hole for what would prove to be the game-winner.  

Terriers played a more sound second period and while they put nine shots on net, Augustine stymied all of them. BU's best chance came four minutes into the period when Hutson freed up a puck and set up Boisvert in the slot for a one-timer. 

Michigan State clamped down on the Terriers in the third period, enjoying a 9-1 shot advantage at the midpoint. Two minutes in, the Spartans put a pin to Terrier hopes for a comeback. On the rush, Lindstrom's shot flew over the BU goal but the rebound came out in front and Shane Vansaghi tucked the puck home before Yegorov could cover it. 4-1.

The period was filled with penalties, both red and green. With two minutes left in regulation, Porter Martone, the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, took a roughing penalty and game misconduct. BU pulled Yegorov to create a 6-on-4 advantage.  From the right circle, Eiserman took a return pass from Hutson and quickly sent the puck to the crease where Ryder Ritchie deflected it past Augustine. (See Highlights) That was the Terriers' last gasp.

Despite yielding four goals, Yegorov played a strong game and kept BU within striking distance until early in the third. He stopped 30 shots, while Augustine turned aside 18 BU attempts. 

Terriers converted two of six power-play opportunities while the Spartans were one of three. BU won 35 of 66 draws. 

● GoTerriers.com recap and box score

● Highlights and Post-game Pandolfo

● Boston Hockey Blog BU men’s hockey fails its first real test, losing 4-2 to No. 3 Michigan State

The teams conclude the series Saturday with puck drop at 7 p.m. ESPN+ will provide the livestream. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Jack Parker will be honored pre-game. Game Day links are here.


Looking ahead

2026 recruit Egor Shilov continued his hot scoring with two goals--including the game-winner on a power play--and an assist in Victoriaville's 5-3 win against Moncton. The 6'1" center also dominated the face-off dot, winning 17 of 25 draws.Shilov's 7-12-19 scoring line in ten games is tied for the QMJHL points lead.  

2026 recruit Braidy Wassilyn scored his first goal in Niagara's 3-1 loss to Erie. The left-shot wing had missed the team's first six games with an injury. 

2027 recruit Carter Meyer scored his third goal in the NTDP U17s' 7-3 loss to Youngstown.

2027 recruit Brady Knowling turned aside 27 shots in the NTDP U18s' 6-2 loss to Lake Superior State 

Looking back

Clayton Keller scored his first goal and added three assists as Utah doubled up San Jose, 6-3.  Macklin Celebrini scored his first goal and assisted on another for the Sharks.      

Women's Team

#13 BU was edged by Brown, 2-1, at Walter Brown Arena. Luisa Welcke scored early in the second period to start the scoring. Brown tied the score late in the second period and took the lead in the third period. 

● GoTerriers.com recap and box score 

● Highlights

● Boston Hockey Blog recap 

 

 

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