Weekend Lookback: Onto Lowell

Player of the Week
Danny O'Regan
2 goals, 2 assists.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

It took a little more effort and a lot more anxiety, but BU did end up sweeping UMass in the Opening Rround of the Hockey East playoffs. The prognosticators picked this to be a quick, easy march of the tomato cans sweep for the Terriers. That was hardly the case. 

UMass carried a 1-0 lead into the second period in Game 1, before Bobo Carpenter scored to tie things up. He later won the game in overtime. If not for an unreal blocker save by Sean Maguire just minutes before the game winner, UMass would have had a one game series lead. Game 2 was a see-saw affair. Danny O'Regan and Jakob Forsbaka Karlsson both scored two goals, with Matt Grzelcyk picking up the other Terrier goal in the 5-4 win. 

Game 2 was statistically a lot closer. UMass generated 36 shots and at one point were outshooting the Terriers in the third period. Maguire didn't have his best game, but made timely saves to preserve a one goal lead late in the third. 

With the series win, BU advances to the Quarterfinals in Lowell. It will be their first road Quarterfinals since 2004 at Boston College. 2014 saw BU head to Notre Dame for a one game playoff in the Opening Round. The Terriers fell 3-2 and that marks the last loss in the Hockey East playoffs for BU. They ride a six game win streak in tournament play headed into Lowell. 

Getting A Boost
Since moving up to the top line on Febuary 19th, Jordan Greenway has six assists. Half of those have gone to Danny O'Regan. In that same stretch, O'Regan has posted six goals and four assists. In the three games prior to Greenway being added to the line, O'Regan had no points. It was one of only two three game spans of his career where he was held pointless. 

JFK also has benefited from Greenway's promotion. The big-man assisted on his first goal on Saturday and that was the Swede's first goal since late January. 

Bobo Carpenter
Carpenter was moved up to the second line center position before Friday's game. He immediately made an impact. As stated before, he scored both goals in Game 1 including the OT winner. Carpenter has quietly amassed the 11 goals on the year, good for fourth on the team. The move gives BU a little bit more of an offensive look on that line. He does compliment Matt Lane and Ahit Oksanen well. It will be interesting to see if the move sticks as the playoffs continue. 

Charlie McAvoy
MaAvoy was named Hockey East Rookie of the Week. He had four assists and was +5 on the weekend. 

PairWise Predictor 
According College Hockey New's PairWise Probability Matrix, BU has a 100% chance to make the NCAA tournament. Selection Sunday is just two weeks away and BU currently sits in 8th place. 

At The Polls
BU jumped up one slot in the USCHO rankings from 9th to 8th. Quinnipiac was once again First. In fact, there was no change to the top five. North Dakota 2, BC 3, Providence 4 and St. Cloud 5. 

Around Hockey East (Opening Round Playoffs)
Thursday: UNH slipped past Merrimack 3-1 at Lawler.

Friday: Vermont took a one game series lead on UConn with a 2-1 win in Hartford… Merrimack stayed alive after a 3-2 overtime win… It also took overtime for Northeastern to win game one 3-2 over Maine at home… BU won the third overtime game of he night 2-1 over UMass.

Saturday: Vermont finished off the two game sweep of UConn with a 4-3 win… NU again need OT, but knocked out Maine with a 4-3 win to complete the sweep… BU closed out UMass with a 5-4 win.

Sunday: In the only Game 3 of the weekend, Merrimack held off a late UNH charge to win 2-1. 

Quarterfinal Match Ups 
9. Vermont @ 1. Boston College
7. Merrimack @ 2. Providence 
6. Northeastern @ 3. Notre Dame

5. Boston University @ 4. Lowell