Monday Thoughts: Oh Boy

Saturday night, was a complete sh*t show for the lack of a better term. Freshman goalie Sean Maguire clearly did not have his best stuff in his Terrier debut and with all due respect was the main reason the Terriers fell flat on their face's against UNH.

UNH's first goal was really the only "real" goal he allowed, but it still should have never happened. John Henrion was allowed to get a low shot off on a one on three, using Garrett Noonan as a screen. As the picture shows below, either Ryan Santana (15) Ryan Ruikka (who really struggled and I'll get to him in a minute) or Noonan (13) needed to step up and make a play on a one on three. Maguire got a piece of the shot, but it did indeed trickle through his legs.

The photo was taken just after Henrion released the shot
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

The second goal was square on Maguire. The initial shot was stopped, but he was never able to cover it up, and UNH had at least four chances before Nick Sorkin finally jabbed home the lose rebound. Goal three falls a little more on the BU defense. The Terriers let Eric Knodle walk right into the slot before ripping a wrist shot by Maguire's blocker. I don't believe there was a screen. At this point, I think it was time to pull Maguire, who clearly was a little rattled.

Matt O'Conner did come into the game after the fourth UNH goal, midway through the second. That also was a rather weak goal. O'Conner did play very well for not having any warm ups, shutting UNH out for half a game. If I were Parker, I would play Maguire in Friday's home game against UMass and hopefully rebuild his confidence, rather than shove him back into a hostile building on Saturday at the Mullins Center. 

The goalies aside, BU did not play well as a team. The power play was nonexistent and it really showed that it's going to to take some time to become a team. The second line continues to be the best line for BU, as Evan Rodrigues, Cason Hohmann (who again had a very strong game) and Wade Megan produced the only goal for BU, just 45 seconds into the game. 

Ryan Ruikka had a very poor game. his passes were not crisp and he made some terrible turnovers that lead to great chances for the Wildcats, two of which rang the post. Ice conditions did not help the passing, as there were puddles all over the lake of an ice sheet they have at the Whitt. All excuses aside, Ruikka needs to step up and play like an assistant Captain should.

BU will get some help on D next week, as Ahti Oksanen will be back from suspension  

Cason Hohmann calls for a drop pass
from Evan Rodrigues in the third
period of Saturday's game.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

Keep Them Together 

Two games into the season, it is apparent that Evan Rodrigues and Cason Hohmann have some serious chemistry, something the rest of the team lacks in a big way. Hohmann again showed that he will be a big part of this teams success and at some points was all the Terriers had. He was blocking shots and at the same time setting up plays in the offensive zone. Rodrigues on the other hand, set up Megan on a two on one for BU's only goal. All I'm trying to say is if some of the lines get mixed up, Parker needs to keep Rodrigues and Hohmann together.

At The Polls

BU dropped from 11th to 13th in the USCHO poll. Boston College is the new number one, as Minnesota fell to number two after losing to Michigan Tech over the weekend. Miami moved up one slot to third, North Dakota dropped two places to forth and Denver entered the top five for the first time this year.

Around Hockey East

Friday: Boston College completed an improbable comeback to knock off UMass 5-4 in overtime at the Mullins Center... St. Lawrence blanked Maine 5-0 at Alfond... Providence and Miami skated to a 1-1 tie in Oxford, Ohio... Denver blew out Lowell 5-1 at Magnus Arena... Merrimack dropped the opening game of the Alaska Gold Rush Tournament to Alaska Fairbanks 3-2. 

Saturday: Boston College shutout Northeastern 3-0 at home... St. Lawrence completed the road sweep of Maine with a 5-1 win... Providence fell to Miami 4-3 in overtime... Alaska Anchorage dismantled Merrimack 6-3 in the third place game of the Alaska Gold Rush... UNH overmatch BU and won 4-1. If anyone cares, Alaska Fairbanks beat North Dakota in the final of the Gold Rush tournament.