The BU Terriers mens hockey team takes on two northern, state-school, conference opponets this weekend. They first travel up to Burlington, Vermont for a game Friday night with the 1-3-2 Catamounts. The conclude the weekend back at Agganis Arena hosting the #5 ranked 6-1-1 UNH Wildcats. These are two big conference games for the Terriers as they need atleast 3,if not all 4 points to remain in the top tier of Hockey East.
First, BU travels to Burlington, Vermont for an away game at a tough place to play in the Gutterson Fieldhouse. BU won both games up there last year with the second being a late comeback and OT win. Last year's Vermont squad was one of the worst in Hockey East history and only recorded 7 points(3-23-1) in conference on the year. This year's squad seems to be improved despite some early departures such as Sebastian Stalberg. They have already grabbed 4 points and are over half way to last year's total only 6 games into the 27 game conference schedule. Their lone win this year came at home versus PC two weekends ago and they have scraped together ties at Merrimack and at Lowell. Their leading scorer is senior forward Chris McCarthy who has 4 points in 6 games but they have an even scoring attack as 13 players have recorded a point for them thus far including former BU recruit Robert Polsello who has put up a stunning 0-1-1 line in 6 games thus far. UVM seems to have solved their goalie issues from last season in freshman tendy Brody Hoffman. He has posted a solid statline (.918 save %, 2.44GAA). All he needs now is to get some more wins. Offense has been the struggle for UVM as they have scored more than 2 goals once all season and average 1.7 goals/game. It would make sense for BU coach, Jack Parker, to give freshman goalie Sean Maguire a good chance for his first win as a Terrier with fellow freshman Matt O'Connor most likely getting the start on Sunday against UNH. This game is a must win for the Terriers and cannot be overlooked before Sunday's matchup with UNH
On Sunday, BU will host the #5 ranked UNH Wildcats for a big-time Hockey East matchup. The Wildcats sit second in HE with 9 pts in their 6 games played. They are lead offensively by forwards Kevin Goumas(1-9-10) and Austin Block(7-1-8) along with d-men Trevor van Riemsdyk(3-5-8) and Connor Hardowa(0-8-8). Goalie Casey Desmith is one of the best, if not the best goalie in the league and country. He has posted very good numbers so far with a .953 save % and 1.36 GAA. He will be tough to beat as BU learned in their 4-1 loss to UNH back in October. UNH's only loss this season came two weekends back at UMass where they lost 2-1 in OT. They also tied at Northeastern so they have not been quite as scary on the road as they have been at home in Durham. BU looks to rebound from the 4-1 loss in Durham where freshman goalie Sean Maguire was outmatched in his first collegiate start and execution was lacking on BU's end of the ice. It is almost a lock at O'Connor will get the start this time around especially if Maguire gets the start in Vermont tomorrow night.
Projected lines for Friday night @ UVM
Megan- Hohmann- ERod
Nieto- O'Regan- Gill
Lane- Myron- Cisse
Rosen-Santana- Kurker
Noonan-MacGregor
Oksanen- Privitera
Escobedo- Grzelcyk
Maguire
OC
Moccia
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