First, we will start with the bad.
BU lost 5-3 to Providence College on Friday night down in Schneider Arena. The night started off poorly for the Terriers as they sat in traffic for over 2 hours as they arrived late at the arena forcing the game to start 15 minutes late. The Terriers played like they were still on the bus in the first ten minutes as PC quickly jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead as the defense specifically Sean Escobedo. BU began to turn the tide in the game and quiet down the uneducated crowd. PC scored again late in the first to make it 3-0 and a steep hill to climb out of it. The Terriers began to do just so as sophomore Matt Nieto and senior Corey Trivino scored quickly in the second to start the come back. The score remained 3-2 throughout the second as goalie Kieran Millan settled in and made some great saves. The Terriers eventually tied the score just 3:13 into the third to make it 3-3. The Terriers couldn't complete the comeback though as PC took the lead for good on a powerplay with 6-5 junior Miles Harvey's first career goal. PC added an empty net goal to make it 5-3 and serve BU's first loss of the season.
Now to comment on the atmosphere at Schneider. It was the most full I have ever seen it at the traditional basketball-first school. Turns out basketball was the reason all of the fans were there as they were waiting for late nite madness tickets and they soon all left with ten minutes left in the third. The ice was also in rough shape and their was fog throughout the rink making visibility tough at times. Overall, the fans were loud but had very little to offer besides "Let's Go Friars" and "F*** BU". Not a very family friendly atmosphere as a fan even ran on the ice as the game concluded and was quickly escorted off the ice but we saw him in the parking lot later so those PC police really cracked down on him hard. The fans were all 'lubed' up and gave Matthews(NU) and Mullins(UMASS) a run for their money as the most annoying,classless crowd I have encountered. They will be nowhere to be seen the rest of the season Iam sure but Friday night certainly wasn't a good reflection upon their school.
Now on to the good game. BU hosted #3 Denver, who was fresh off a 4-2 win out in Newton over BC on Friday night. BU came out flying to atone for Friday night's loss. They scored on a sweet move by junior forward Alex Chiasson on a backhand to forehand move and then flip over Denver goalie ,junior Adam Murray. The Terriers played much better defensively and came out flying the begin the second period. They scored their second goal on a senior Corey Trivino hustle play shorthanded. He scored on a wrap-around after Murray mishandled the puck behind his own net. On the same powerplay, Matt Nieto scored on back hand 5 hole after a great pass from Charlie Coyle who played a great game along with the rest of his line(Nieto and Chiasson). That put Denver in an early hole that grew larger as Wade Megan scored on the powerplay later in the second to give BU a four goal lead with one period left. This lead almost did not hold as the Terriers allowed 3 goals in the third but Kieran Millan but made some key saves and the team competed hard once it became a one goal game.
Great 4-3 win for BU!
Overall, the Terriers showed some great spurts throughout the weekend and looked bad at other times. They still search for the more consistent focus and execution throughout the game but they showed the grit to come back Friday night and to hold on to a lead Saturday night against a highly skilled team like Denver. The Terriers might fall in the polls as a result of the PC loss but in October it is more important to get wins and the Denver win will be huge come March as they try to get back to the NCAA tournament. Below are the press conference from Saturday night from Coach Parker and Matt Nieto/Alex Chiasson.
