Saturday, January 24, 2026

Friars edge BU 4-3; Another Macklin Milestone

 Cole Eiserman shooting a puck at Providence.   

                    Photo credit Trinity Robbins 

#18 Terriers dropped the opener of its home-and-home with Providence, 4-3, at Schneider Arena, yielding a late third-period goal after tying the score.  

The good news: Cole Eiserman scored twice, ending a six-game scoring drought; Tynan Lawrence scored his first collegiate goal; Mikhail Yegorov was immense in goal, making 36 saves and keeping Providence from running up the score, especially in the opening period; and BU rallied to tie from a two-goal deficit and then a one-goal deficit.

The bad news: Providence capitalized on two early power plays and then on two third-period turnovers to claim the win; the Friar dominated the Terriers--in shots, O-zone possession, face offs and physically--for long stretches of the game, especially that first period. And Terrier penalties led to seven PC power plays.

The first power-play came at 6:44 and the Friars made quick work of it, scoring in just 16 seconds. Yegorov made stops on John Mustard and Roger McQueen before Logan Sawyer fired a rebound into a half-empty net. 

PC's second power play goal took a bit longer. The Friars won a puck battle along the boards and passed the Hudson Malinoski at the goalmouth for a redirection past Yegorov.

BU had two power plays late in the period, but was unable to convert on either one, although Eiserman did ring a shot off iron with 20 seconds left. A third Providence penalty as the period ended meant BU would open the middle period on another man-advantage. The Friar had a 15-4 shot advantage and an 11-6 edge on draws in the period.  

Gavin McCarthy's penalty negated the BU power play to start the second and in the ensuing 4-on-4, the Terriers were able to break out with less pressure. Seven minutes in, BU scored off an O-zone face off. Brandon Svoboda won the puck clearly back to Eiserman, who quickly move to the high slot. He waited for a defender to make his move, then rifled a shot over goalie Jack Parsons' glove for his ninth of the season.  

Terrier penalties gave the Friars two more power plays, which BU killed. Second period shots were 10-6, Providence. 

In the opening minute of the final period, Jack Harvey tied up a Friar at center ice. Lawrence collected the puck, skated in on a two-on-one with Nick Roukounakis and, from the bottom of the left circle, wired a shot past Parsons high to the stick side, drawing BU even.  

After the Lawrence goal, BU had to kill another penalty when Aiden Celebrini was called for tripping. Then, with the Terriers on the man-advantage, a turnover at the blue line sent Clint Levins in on a breakaway. Sascha Boumedienne was able to prevent a clean shot on goal but Levins was awarded a penalty shot. Yegorov foiled him with a blocker save, keeping the scored even at two apiece.  

Midway through the period, Eiserman and Owen McLaughlin raced up ice on a 2-on-1. Parsons defended Eiserman's initial shot and then stopped his second attempt.

Providence regained the lead when Lawrence lofted a puck out of the BU zone. It was knocked down by Kale McCallum, who quickly skated into the offensive zone as BU was making a change on defense. He set up Graham Gamache for shot from the right circle that Yegorov defended, but the rebound went to McCallum behind the defense for an easy put back and a 4-3 lead. 

Terriers responded quickly with a goal that mirrored their first tally. This time Svoboda's win on the draw was one-timed by Eiserman past Parson's on the blocker side.   

With under three minutes left in regulation, the Turnover Troll bit BU in the backside. Aleksi Kivioja forced a turnover along the boards in the BU zone. He sent the puck cross ice to Levins in the right circle and took a return pass, which he buried into a half-empty net for the game-winner.  

Final shots were PC 40 BU 18. Friars won 33 of 54.  

►►The Boston Hockey Blog has post-game comments from Coach Jay Pandolfo on its Twitter/X page. 

● GoTerriers.com recap and box score

● Boston Hockey Blog BU men’s hockey drops critical series opener to Providence  

Looking ahead

2026 recruit Caleb Malhotra scored his 22nd goal in Brantford's 5-4 overtime win against Sudbury. With 60 points in 44 games, he's second in scoring in the OHL.

2026 recruit Viktor Norringer's ninth goal was the game-winner in Muskegon's 3-2 win against Green Bay. 

2027 recruit Brady Knowling stopped 20 of 24 shots in the NTDP U18s' 5-4 win against Cedar Rapids. Jamie Glance, Luke Schairer and Carter Meyer--called up from the U17s--each recorded an assist. 

Looking back

Macklin Celebrini scored a pair of goals in San Jose's 3-1 win against the Rangers.  With a 26-48-74 scoring line in 50 games, he's third in the NHL in points. 

Image 

Ryan Greene's seventh goal, scored on a power play, was the Blackhawks' only tally in a 2-1 loss to the Lightning.  

Jack Eichel scored his 19th goal and added his 42nd assist as Vegas doubled up Toronto, 6-3.  He's sixth in the NHL in points per game.

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