Denver Bends But Doesn't Break, Holds Off Terrier Comeback

Jordan Greenway scored his first goal of
the 2017 season in the third period.
(Photo by Matt Dresens) 

In their first real test of the year, BU struggled to stay out of the box and saw Denver take a 3-0 midway through the second before clawing back, only to fall 4-3 in the Mile High City.

Penalties were a major problem for the Terriers in this one. Denver had seven power play opportunities, including four in the first period. It was a tough way start the game for the Terriers and on their third power play chance of the opening frame, Denver finally made BU pay.

Matt Marcinew ripped home his first of the year from the point with less than three minutes left in period one. Denver then scored two goals in 42 seconds to open up a 3-0 lead 4:44 into the second period.

First, Troy Terry potted his first goal of the season off a feed from Michael Davies that beat Jake Oettinger (31 saves) short side. Not long after, Evan Janssen banged home his first of two on the night to extend the Pioneers' lead.

Brandon Hickey got BU on the board with a power-play goal of his own just under halfway through the frame. The puck came to him at the near side circle and he was able to wire a shot past Taner Jailet (23 saves) to get BU back in the game. Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and Patrick Harper picked up assists on the play.

Minutes later, Jansson let go a quick wrister from the far side dot off a nice passing play by Tyson McLellan and Logan O’Connor that beat Oettinger upstairs to make it 4-1.

At this point in the night, my viewing experience came to a crashing halt, as T’s Pub transformed into a dance nightclub and the game was shut off. This was all despite the fact there were seven people (my two friends and I and four guys at the bar) in the entire place, who were less than interested in the blaring hip hop music and were not about to hit the dance floor.

Anway, as I flipped over to the Hockey East Scoreboard page, I noticed Jordan Greenway scored 2:47 into the third to make it a one-goal game. After I saw that he scored, I pulled up the BU radio call on my phone (what a time to be alive!) and was able to hear Clayton Keller make it a one-goal game on a shorthanded breakaway goal.

That was as close as BU would get.

The two teams will wrap up the series tomorrow night. Game Time 9:00est.