Big Bro sweeps Lil Bro

The BU Terriers swept the Northeastern Huskies in a weekend of conference play. The Terriers took an exciting 5-4 win Friday night to remain undefeated at Agganis Arena this year followed by a more convincing 4-1 win at Matthews Arena on Saturday night. Friday night was a game of streaks as  BU held a 2-0 and 3-2 lead only to relinquish it to Northeastern due to four period second goals. That was easily the worst period of the weekend as both the defense and goaltending looked shaky. Luckily for BU fans, the Terriers only allowed one goal the rest of the weekend and it was in garbage time on Saturday night. The Terriers would scramble to hold on 5-4 as Northeastern had plenty of chances late in the game but Connor LaCouvee stayed strong in net for the Terriers. The return of captain Matt Grzelcyk was a huge factor on the weekend as he committed a penalty on his first shift and then scored the first goal of the game which was eerily similar to his goal in the OT of the Beanpot final against the same little brothers of Boston.  Different goalie but besides that it's basically the same goal.

Fortunato also continued to score from the point as he notches his third of the year for the Terriers. Ryan Cloonan added his fourth  on a breakway goal while Brandon Hickey scored his fourth of the year to tie the game at four on a sick set up by Ahti Oksanen and Danny O'Regan. The game winner was the captain at it again as Grizz made a slick pass to Oksanen who pounded home the shot on a mostly open net.  On a night where Northeastern had 8 powerplays(Thanks for nothing Goeff Miller), you have to be thankful to get a win.




The Terriers came out much stronger on Saturday night outshooting Northeastern 16-2 including another Grzelcyk goal. The good guys would extend their lead to two in the second on a great individual play by Doyle Somerby(see celly below). That would be the fifth goal of the weekend for the BU defensemen. Yeah, maybe they are pretty good at getting involved in the play and being a force offensively. All 6 defensemen who played this weekend now have goals on the year and all have the capability to chip in at any given time. This can also be said about Brien Diffley and Shane Switzer who didn't see any time this weekend.

Celly hard, @dsum27 pic.twitter.com/OCMKTQKOJD

— BartRhett (@BartRhett) November 8, 2015

Somerby had a great weekend(celly included). He had a series Friday night where he blocked two shots in a row off non padded areas and still limped off the ice under his own power. This helped the Terriers kill a big penalty and lead to a momentum change before Fortunto potted his goal. He has really developed from his freshman season when he looked lost at times in only his second season as a defenseman. Somerby is becoming a shutdown dman who can stay with and neutralize any forward in the country. He also has the offensive ability as well as he showed Saturday night. He is quickly becoming a leader for this team and certainly the d corps. He was out there for the last shifts of both games this weekend which shows the coaching staff's confidence in Somerby. BU may have the top three defensemen in the whole league with Grzelcyk, Hickey and Somerby. McAvoy could certainly get to that level as well as the season goes on.

The Terriers return to action this weekend against the #1 ranked PC Friars which will certainly be a test but if they continue to get this type of play from their skaters and improved goaltending(LaCouvee is up to a .910 save % overall) , they will certainly give themselves a chance to win both nights. PC is very deep throughout their lineup so the Terriers will have to play well to win but that isn't any different than any other league game besides maybe Maine because they suck at hockey but are quite good at spearing BC goalies.