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| Player of the Week: Clayton Keller 2 goals, 4 assists (Photo by Matt Dresens) |
The weekend marked the return of Clayton Keller, who gave the BU offense a major shot in the arm. Keller in three games back after suffering a knee injury notched six points and is rolling into World Junior Camp.
Speaking of the World Juniors, BU could potentially be without eight players for their game against Union on January 5th.
“It’s such a wonderful tournament,” said Quinn. “It's a great experience to play for your country. We’re talking about one of the few tournaments in hockey where all the best players at that age group in the world are actually in the tournament.”
When asked if his players would be tired from the festivities, Quinn said “No, they’re 18 and 19 years old. They get plenty of rest.”
Oettinger Standing Tall
Over the weekend, Jake Oettinger recorded his first road shutout as a Terrier, blanking UVM 4-0 and turning aside all 28 shots he faced. Last night against Yale, the freshman netminder, who will also be at WJC camp, stopped 28 of 30 shots faced. In a 5-2 game, the play of the goalie can sometimes be overlooked, but not by coach Quinn.
“We don’t take him [Oettinger] for granted, that’s for sure. He’s had a great first half. He gives our team a calming effect and I’m really happy he’s a Terrier,” mentioned Quinn.
Oettinger was also named Hockey East rookie of the week prior to the Yale game for his performance in Vermont.
Offense From Other Places
Yes, Clayton Keller returned this weekend, but BU also found some goals from down the depth chart. Last night, Shane Switzer netted the first two goals of his BU career. In total, the Detroit area defenseman has played in just nine games in the last two years. Chase Phelps notched his first two points of the year, including the game-winner on Saturday in Vermont. He added an assist to Switzer’s second goal last night, as well.
Bellows to the Bench
It was a tough weekend for Kieffer Bellows. The freshman forward, who was invited to USA WJC camp found himself on the bench for two of the three games. This comes after getting sat down for the majority of BU’s home game against Providence last weekend. Friday in Vermont he was -2 and took a tough slashing penalty that UVM scored on right before the conclusion of the first period.
Quinn said after Saturday’s UVM game, “sometimes guys need to watch from above.”
At The Polls
Prior to last night’s 5-2 win over Yale, BU fell one peg in the USCHO rankings from 5th to 6th. The top three from a week ago remained the same: Minnesota Duluth 1, Denver 2, Penn State 3. Harvard jumped up two slots from 6th to 4th and BC rounded out the top five.
Hockey East Scoreboard
Friday:
UMass 1, at UConn 3
Merrimack 1, at Lowell 4
America International 3, at Maine 5
Providence 5, at RIT 1
Boston University 2, at Vermont 4
Saturday:
Lowell 5, at Merrimack 1
Boston College 2, at Notre Dame 3
America International 2, at Maine 7
New Hampshire 1 at Dartmouth 5
Providence 3, at RIT 1
Boston University 4, at Vermont 0
Tuesday:
UMass 3, at Princeton 4
Yale 2, at Boston University 5
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