BU-Uconn, A Closer Look

BU and UConn go back at it on Tuesday
night in Hartford.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

Saturday afternoon's game against UConn was a bit of a strange one. The teams never really got into gear and the first period and the game lacked flow. Ryan Cloonan's goal was the lone tally of the period and really was the only talking point of the first frame outside of a strong BU power play that just missed. 

The second period saw UConn's Max Letunov tie the game on sweet backhand shelf shot from in tight on Sean Maguire. The Huskies also had a few odd man breaks that never really materialized. BU defenders did a solid job of forcing the shots from the outside and Maguire controlled the rebounds to negate second chance opportunities. 

BU's power play took over in the third. Jakob Forsbaka Karlsson scored on a shot from the high slot that beat Rob Nichols glove side. It looks like JFK is playing a similar role to what Jack Eichel did on the power play a year ago. He is up top, but not at the point. In a way though, he acts like a third point man at certain times. He is the most crafty hands wise on that unit with Danny O'Regan down low and Ahti Oksanen on the far side. O'Regan and Karlsson act more as setup-men and on this goal, O'Regan dished to him from down low allowing JFK to receive the pass on his forehand and step into the shot all in one motion.  

Brandon Fortunato tallied the third Terrier goal, again on the power play. This was more of a scramble play that brought him all the way down from the point to the goal mouth. After a few jabs, Fortunato was able to lift it over Nichols' leg for his second goal in as many games. 

At this point, the game was basically over. Max Letunov added an extra attacker goal and for about fifteen seconds everyone was on edge in the stands. Brandon Hickey ended that real quick with about a 175ft empty night goal that he banked off the glass in the D zone and rolled in all the way down the ice.

It is really is too bad Max Letunov didn't clear admissions because the kid can really play. He would have been a really nice piece on an already strong recruiting class this year.

At The Polls
BU locked up the 8th slot in the USCHO poll for the second straight week. North Dakota was once again number one and the only change from the top five from last week was Denver leapfrogging Duluth from 6th to 5th. Omaha, Providence and BC were once again 2,3,4 in that order.

Around Hockey East 
Tuesday: Maine was blanked by Qunnipiac in Hamden 4-0.

Friday: UMass battled back from 6-2 down to tie UNH 6-6 at home... Merrimack and Lowell were tangled in knots 1-1 at Lawler... Minnesota- Duluth and Notre Dame also skated to a tie, 3-3 in South Bend... Providence doubled up Ohio State 2-1 at home... Vermont was shutout 2-0 at home by #1 North Dakota at Gutterson... Minnesota blanked Northeastern 4-0 in Bloomington... Boston College travailed to Colorado Springs and also shutout Colorado College... Maine fell 5-1 to New Brunswick at the Alfond in an exhibition game.

Saturday: Lowell and Merrimack again skated to a 1-1 draw... Same story with Duluth and Notre Dame as they tied 3-3 again... Providence finished off the sweep of Ohio State with a 6-4 win... North Dakota ran over Vermont 5-2 to also finish their sweep... New Hampshire trumped Union 5-2 at Messa... Despite a late comeback, Minnesota edged NU 4-3... Boston College again shutout Colorado College, this time 5-0... BU took down UConn 4-2 at home.