Noonan, BU Defeat UMass in OT

Just pretend it says "Noonan"

First off, I'd like to thank the guys/girls over at The Boston Hockey Blog for linking us on the sidebar of their homepage. Appreciate the recognition, guys. We'll try to keep it clean for ya.

Moving on, our Terriers managed to keep pace in Hockey East last night with a sloppy but necessary 4-3 win in overtime over UMass. Freshman defenseman Garrett Noonan scored the game winner off of an Alex Chiasson pass, which Noonan managed to slide by UMass net minder Paul Dainton. It was definitely not the best win we've had this season, but it was a game that we absolutely needed two points out of in order to stay competitive in the race for home ice.

BU got the scoring going early, when Matt Nieto channeled Wayne Gretzky by holding the puck behind the net and finding Corey Trivino in the slot for a quick wrister. UMass answered literally seconds later, as Millan came off of the post a little quick the puck got by his outstretched pad. BU would cap off the first period with a play very similar to their first goal, except Nieto hit Chiasson with the pass this time.

The Terriers would then go out in the second period and hack it up. There's really no other way to put it. UMass scored two goals early on in the frame and for the most part controlled play for the whole twenty minutes. The single bright spot for BU came when Wade Megan forced one by Dainton's pads to knot the score at 3-3 heading into the final period.

BU came out firing in the 3rd period, outshooting the Minutemen 13-3 and knocking on the door multiple times. Dainton held his ground, however, and forced the game into overtime, which is where Noonan and Chiasson went to work.

BU managed to worsen their power play numbers on the year by going 0 for 6 with the man advantage last night. In fact, BU and UMass combined to go 0 for 12 on the evening. While this may be somewhat more expected for a very, very young UMass squad, it's certainly not what a nationally ranked team can be doing and still expect to win. Whatever they are doing on the pp, it needs to change. Quick.

BU is next in action against Harvard Monday night in the consolation game of the Beanpot. If you're looking for some hockey to follow tonight, cheer on UNH as they head to Lawler Arena to take on Merrimack - we desperately need UNH to win.

As always, GO TERRIERS (and Wildcats)!