Grzelcyk's Back, NU Preview

The long awaited return of Captain Matt Grzelcyk is finally upon us. Today, the Boston Hockey Blog tweeted out that "pre Head Coach David Quinn, Matt Grzelcyk will play tomorrow night."

From The Vault
Matt Grzelcyk starts a rush up ice in a game at Matthews
in March 2013. BU won the game 4-2 and picked up goals
from four different players.
(Photo by Matt Dresens) 

Grzelcyk has been out since the start of the year due to offseason ACL surgery.

Tomorrow night, BU will open up their first home and home series of the year as Northeastern visits Agganis before the Terriers head over to Matthews on Saturday.

NU is off to their usual slow start, coming in at 1-5-1 on the year. Their lone win was against Colgate on opening night at home, 2-1. Since then, they have only mustered a point in one other game, their last game played. That was a 3-3 tie at Vermont. Despite outshooting Bentley 51-11, they still lost 3-2 back in mid October. In fact, they were swept in a home and home by the Falcons. NU was also swept in a series at Minnesota with the Gophers.

NU is currently shooting only 4% as a team. Yes, you hardly ever hear that stat in hockey, but when it is that low, it's worth noting. Its not like the team isn't generating chances, though. They are. They just can't score. So far.

Scouting The Huskies
John Stevens is NU's leading goal scorer with four on the year. He has also added an assist. Zach Aston-Reese also has five points, all of which are assists. Kevin Roy, who was picked by most to be the Hockey East Player of the year before the season started has only registered four assists and no goals to date.

Other Players to watch include former Terrier Sam Kurker, Colton Saucerman, Adam Gaudette and Dylan Sikura.

In goal, Derick Roy has seen the majority of the playing time.  He is 1-3-1 on the year with a .821 save percentage and a 3.52 goals against average.

BU Notes
-With Grzelcyk back, there will certainly be a shakeup with the D pairings. I think Diffley is the odd man out right now, but that can always change.

 - Both goalies will probably see action this weekend.

The Last Time They Met...
was the last week of February. They ended up playing three games in a row due to the rescheduling of the Beanpot. BU, of course, won the Beanpot championship game game 4-3 in Overtime on Matt Grzelcyk's power play goal. That Friday night, NU hung on and staved off a furious BU come back from 6-2 down to win 6-5. BU then captured the Hockey East Regular Season Crown the next night with a 6-1 win at Matthews.


I will not be able to get to the game on Saturday as I have my own hockey conflict.