BU Skates Past Colgate In Season Opener

If the exhibition games showed anything, it was that BU could score. Tonight was no different as they rolled to a 6-1 win at Colgate’s brand new Class of ’65 Arena. 

Nick Olsson and Nick Roberto celebrate Roberto's
shorthanded goal in the first period.
(Photo by Matt Dresens) 

After being held in check for most of the first period, Patrick Harper got the BU offense rolling, as he picked up right where he left off in the exhibition games. Harper potted his first official goal 15:11 into the first period on a 5 on 3 power play. Bobo Carpenter picked up an assist on the play. The goal came after BU had to kill a full 2:00 of Colgate 5 on 3.

Less than two minutes later, Nick Roberto scored a shorthanded goal to make it 2-0 Terriers heading into the second frame. Roberto picked up the puck and drove wide, creating a two on one with Nick Olsson, who fired off a shot. Roberto crashed the back post, found the loose rebound and stuffed it home. It was his first goal since February 27th, 2015.

Clayton Keller pulls back the bow and
arrow after scoring his first collegiate
goal.
(Photo by Matt Dresens) 

Harper scored BU’s different style goal less than three minutes into the second. With the goalie pulled for an extra attacker on a delayed penalty, Clayton Keller made a strong cross-ice feed to Harper who was open back door. Harper wasted little time shoveling a shot into the top corner past Charlie Finn for his second of the night.

Later in the period, Brandon Hickey slashed Tyler Penner on a breakaway. Penner was awarded a penalty shot and was stopped on a short side attempt by Jake Oettinger. Oettinger made 29 saves, including 13 in third period.

Coach Quinn noted that after Oettinger made a few big saves at the end of the second, the team started the third period much better off,


He also said, “We were opportunistic and capitalized on chances.”

Tommy Kelley netted his first goal of the season midway through the third to make it 4-0. Gabriel Chabot set up the whole play with a wonderful pass to Kelley on the back side.

Less than two minutes later, Clayton Keller put home his first goal as a Terrier in a scrum in front of the net. Brandon Hickey and Kieffer Bellows had the assists. 19 second later, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson scored a rebound goal to make it 6-0. 

Jake Oettinger stops Tyler Penner on a penalty shot in the
second period.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

Colgate broke up Oettinger’s shutout bid with less than ten minutes to play on Mike Panowyk’s first goal of the season. Had he blanked the Raiders, Oettinger would have been the first goalie to record a shutout in his first career start since Sean Fields in 2000.

BU will head to Denver next week for a two-game set with the Pioneers.

I had a chance to sit by the glass and take a bunch of pictures tonight. I hope to post a few more in the coming days.