Another Tie

Ross Gaudet scored his frist goal of the
season in the second period.
(Photo By Matt Dresens)

Playing for the first time this season as the number one team in the country,the Terriers could only manage a tie with unranked Merrimack. BU looked far from the best team in the nation tonight, but their penalty kill proved why it is also ranked #1. BU successfully killed off all ten of the Warriors power play opportunities. Unfortunately, BU's PP fared just as poorly as Merrimack's, going  an ugly 0-7.

In a scoreless first period and thoughout the game, both goalies, Kierain Millan and Joe Cannata (the one and two "stars of the game" respectively) played very well. Cannata was called on to make 32 saves in the game, while Millan stopped 35 of 36 shots he faced.

BU finally broke through mid-way through the second period. Ross Gaudet was able to to put in a bouncing rebound from a Sahir Gill's shot. The puck hopped over Cannata's leg pad and into the back of the net.

During the very next shift Merrimack came with in inches of tying it as a shot rang the outside of the post and ended up in the corner.

On the subsequent shift, Merrimack did tie the game. With three BU skaters caught in the corner, the puck popped out into the face off circle. There,an uncovered Mike Collins was able to pick up the puck, fire it by Millan between his legs,and tie the game. Millan  reacted slowly, as if  surprised, thus allowing Collins to score his first collegiate goal.

At the very start and at about the four minute marks of the third period, BU squandered two power play opportunities. Both of this chances were clearly not BU's best efforts. However BU's penalty kill remained outstaning, shuttting out Merrimack in all of their third period attempts.

BU out played Merrimack in the overtime session. Alex Chiasson may have had the best chance to put one in. A Merrimack defenceman misplayed the puck behind his goal and the puck came right to Chiasson. Luckily for Merrimack, Cannata was there to bail them out, making a right shoulder save.

Throughout the game it felt like BU could not buy a faceoff win, but in reality the teams tied 38-38 on facoff draws this evening.

The two teams faceoff again tomorrow night at Lawler Rink, home of the Warriors. Game time, 7:00pm.

As an observation, it seems apparent that these teams have no love for one another. On many occasions thoughout the game play was very chippy. Following numorous stoppages in play, guys on both teams seemed very interested in retaliating for various perceived indisgressions. This could lead to quite a willd game tomorrow!. Hope to see you there.