BU took care of business this weekend as they picked up two big nonconference wins over Michigan St. and Michigan at Agganis Arena. Friday night, BU dominated play but were only able to pot one goal due to solid play from Michigan State goalie Jake Hildenbrand and a lack of a finishing touch. Thankfully, that one goal was enough to win as Matt O'Connor returned from injury to pick up his first career shutout. BU's defense was very strong Friday night as Sparty had little to no quality chances on O'Connor. Ahti Oksanen potted the lone goal early in the second period on a sweet backhander off a pass from Jack Eichel.
Saturday night's game was one of the best hockey games I have seen in a while. Jack Parker probably would have said "that was a good college hockey game" if someone asked him what he thought of it. BU edged Michigan 3-2 on a late Matt Lane tip goal off a Brandon Hickey shot. Michigan scored both of their goals on the powerplay as the referees did BU no favors through two periods. Ahti Oksanen tied the game after the first Michigan powerplay goal but Michigan would take the lead again the second on another powerplay goal after a questionable call by Dave Hansen on Chase Phelps for a "hit from behind". BU tied the game up early in the third on a great tip by Jack Eichel off a Doyle Somerby shot. Lane would give BU the gamewinner with 3:30 left on a tip off a Brandon Hickey shot. Hickey thought he scored the goal and therefore had the best celly for an assist of all time. The third line got switched up on Saturday night as Quinn moved Roberto up to the line with Matt Lane and Nicholas Olsson,who has been great so far, and the move played off as they delivered the game winning goal.
There were some interesting comments post game as Michigan coach Red Berenson complained that the officials reviewed all 5 goals and got the calls right. I still don't know what he was trying to say. He just seems like a crazy old man who is mad the calls didn't go his way on the goals. It should be noted that Michigan had 5 powerplays to BU's two including one of the worst calls of all time when Danny O'Regan had his helmet ripped off and Matt Lane was cross checked multiple times yet it turned into a Michigan powerplay. Captain Andrew Copp added on that he felt some things didn't go their way and continued to say Jack Eichel didn't play that good. Eichel had the game tying goal and 7 SOG but don't tell that to Andrew Copp who was a posted a solid 0-0-0, -2 line! They really just embarrassed themselves with those comments. The officials were not good but every questionable/terrible penalty call was in favor of Michigan and then they reviewed goals to get the calls right. They took too long during the reviews but it's better than getting a call wrong despite what old man Berenson thinks.
Obviously a huge weekend for the confidence of a young BU team who is now one of 11 unbeaten teams remaining in the country. They have a big weekend of conference play next weekend with a home and home with PC. The comeback in the third really keeps the positive trend of third period play so far this season. BU has outscored it opponents 8-0 in the third through 3 games this season. Agganis was the loudest I can remember for a non BC game in the last 5+ years and there is obviously a lot of positivity around the program which is awesome to say the least. If you're not going to PC for the game Friday you should change your plans and go.
Other observations:
I thought Brandon Hickey and Doyle Somerby had very good weekends on defense to make Matt O'Connor's job easier. I liked how physical AJ Greer was on the third and fourth line without taking any penalties. Chase Phelps and JJ Piccinich both took steps forward this weekend as they get used to the college game speed.
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