Thursday, March 12, 2026

Cole-fired power play sends BU past Vermont

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In a win-or-go-home opening-round playoff game, BU's power play came out of hibernation and led the Terriers to a 4-1 win over a determined Vermont team at Agganis Arena. It was usual suspects--Cole Eiserman and Cole Hutson--delivering on the power play with Eiserman also adding a second goal and Jack Harvey capping the scoring with an empty-netter.

With the win, the #6 seed Terriers move on to the quarterfinals and a Saturday meeting with #3 seed UConn in Storrs. Game time will be 1 p.m.

BU scored three times in the final period after a lackluster middle period that featured several neutral ice turnovers and failed clearing attempts as well as UVM's only tally. 

"At the end of the day," said Coach Jay Pandolfo. "it's a huge win. We had to win tonight and we did. Credit to the guys. I thought Big Mike was excellent tonight, especially in the second [period] when they had a few more chances."

Mikhail Yegorov turned aside 25 shots including a dozen in the middle period. 

With birthday boy Jack Parker and Macklin Celebrini looking on, the Terriers dominated the first period in both shots (10-4) and possession, however they weren't reward until a Catamount penalty put BU on the man-advantage. Gavin McCarthy passed to Hutson crossing the blueline and he closed to the top of the left circle, drawing a pack of Catamounts before finding Eiserman in his office for a one-timer.It was his 17th of the season and marked five consecutive games with a goal for the Islanders' draft pick. 

The Catamounts knotted the score early in the second period. Yegorov made a save moving to his right and when he had some difficulty regaining his position, Jens Richards attempted a wrap-around. His shot went off Hutson's skate and into the Terrier goal. 

Midway through the period, McCarthy took a pass from Hutson and skated to the crease. His shot ended up in the net; however a challenge by the visitors and a review showed that Owen McLaughlin had directed the puck in with his skated and the goal was disallowed.

Minutes later Hutson had a grade A chance that ended up in goalie Aiden Wright's glove. 

The third period began with Vermont having the better chances, but that changed seven minutes in. Tynan Lawrence blocked a Vermont clearing attempt, muscled past a defender and controlled the puck. His centering pass found Eiserman all alone just outside the crease and he easily snapped the puck past Wright for the eventual game-winner.  

Of Eiserman's 43 goals over two seasons, 31 have been scored at Agganis Arena. (H/T to our friend BU Hockey Stats). 

It was still a one-goal game when BU went back on the power play at 12:24. They needed just 12 seconds to cash in. Hutson took a pass from McCarthy, closed to the top of the left circle and wired a shot past Wright, thanks in part to Kamil Bednarik's screen.  It was his 10th goal, the most of any Hockey East defenseman.

A penalty to Eiserman with less than five minutes remaining offered a chance for UVM to cut into the lead, but BU killed off the 6-on-4 power play with Wright pulled for an extra skater. Just as the penalty ended,  Harvey scored from the red line, assisted by Bednarik. It was his fourth goal in the last five games and his 13th of the season. 


● GoTerriers.com recap and box score 

● Highlights and Postgame Pandolfo/Eiserman/Lawrence 

● Boston Hockey Blog BU tops Vermont 4-1 to advance to Hockey East quarterfinals: Takeaways 

Looking ahead

2026 recruit Caleb Malhotra is among the top scorers in the OHL and is considered a potential top five pick for the NHL Draft in June. He was interviewed on The Prospect Don podcast. 

 

Looking back 

Trevor Zegras scored his 22nd goal in the Flyers' 4-1 win against Washington. 

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