BU drops NU out of playoffs, Terriers take third place

Gilroy (photo) nets game winner

Last night all the stars aligned for BU to get the third seed in playoffs. BU won and then got some help (some would say luck) from Umass as they upended Maine twice in Alfond arena. That was not all BU needed to get the third slot. Vermont had to win or tie Lowell and the game ended in a 1-1 tie. So, BU will take on Merrimack in the quarterfinals of the Hockey East playoffs next friday night at Agganis Arena.

“Would you believe that,” said BU Head Coach Jack Parker. “I would believe how hard we played tonight. I would believe how well we played tonight. I wouldn’t believe two weeks ago that we were going to end up in third place in Hockey East. It was a heck of a weekend for us.”

Not far into the game, the Husky's took the lead. Wade MacLeod, beat Millan glove side high. This would be how almost all the Husky's goals were scored over the weekend. For most of the season, teams have pick up the fact that Millan has a very weak glove and Northeastern took advantage of it.


BU would even the score up about a minute after they had a power play. Nick Bonino rushed it in along the boards and then took a wicked shot that hit the inside of the post and then the back of the net. Two Husky defenders were left alone to watch the puck beat their goalie, Chris Rawlings. 


Around the seven minute mark of the period, Eric Gyba was called for elbowing. A minute into the power play, Kyle Kraemer slid home a rebound from a Jake Newton shot.

In the second, the Terriers dominated the play. NU only recorded three shots on goal and BU had 16. The total shot count for the game was 32-12, at that point.


Photo of the Terriers celebrating after the game. 


BU opened fire with some great passing. Sean Escobedo found Vinny Saponari camped out behind the net. Vinny, then found an open Zach Cohen who took a one timer that beat Rawlings, tying the game.


 BU would take the lead in the opening minutes of the third frame. Chris Connolly skated in and looked like he was going to shoot. He did not and instead dished over to Alex Chaisson who one timed the pass into the back of the goal. This was BU's first lead of the game.

The lead was short lived as NU would strike on the power play. Wade MacLeod, found Newton who then found Kraemer who once again beat Millan high glove side. 


Photo of several Husky's who are less then pleased after they are nocked out of the playoffs 


BU would take the lead for good after they won a face off in the Husky's zone. The puck came to the brother of former Hobey Baker winner Matt Gilroy, Kevin Gilroy who took a shot that Rawlings never saw. It beat him low blocker side and the goal was the first of the season for Gilroy.

BU would hold off the Husky''s in the final minutes, despite having to kill off two Northeastern power plays. 
BU will take on Merrimack, the six seed, in the opening round of the Hockey East playoffs.