Weekend Preview: Terriers, Huskies Open Hockey East Play

Danny O'Regan posted three goals and
an assist in two meetings with the
Huskies last season.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

BU got in the win column last weekend with a 4-1 victory over Wisconsin and tomorrow night open up a split home and home series with the Uconn Huskies. Saturday's game at Agganis also marks the first Hockey East game for both the Terriers and Huskies.

The series warps up Tuesday night in Hartford and it will be my first trip to the XL-Center, the former home of the Hartford Whalers.

UConn is 2-1-0 on the year, but they haven't exactly played the top teams in college hockey. They opened up at Alabama Hunstville and split the series with both games ending in 5-2 scores. UConn won the first night before the Chargers rebounded on Saturday. Last weekend, the Huskies handled NCAA newcomer Arizona State 5-1 at home.

Scouting the Huskies
Former Terrier recruit Max Letunov, who shipped to UConn after an admittance issue currently leads UConn in scoring. The freshman has 3 goals (all of which came against UAH game 1) and has since added 3 assists for 6 points. Sophomore Spencer Nass is second with four points, two goals and two assists.

In goal, Rob Nichols is certainly a top tier goalie. He burst onto the scene last year when he blanked Boston College and made 35 saves in a 1-0 win. He added three more shutouts later in the year. This season, he has continued his strong play. In two games, he holds both the Huskies wins along with a .925 save percentage and a 1.50 goals against. He might not win every night, but he certainly keeps UConn in game.

Other Notes
According to the Boston Hockey Blog, Matt Lane is said to be listed at questionable for Saturday by coach Quinn with an ever descriptive "lower body injury".

Still no word on whether Nick Roberto will be back in the line up the weekend.

In goal, I'm pretty confident that both goalies will see time in the series. Who starts Saturday is unknown, but probably Sean Maguire. It would only make sense with the current rotation.

The Last Time They Met...

was last November in a similar split series. Game one ended in a 4-4 tie at Agganis before BU rolled to a 5-2 win at the XL-Center in the second game.