Merrimack Out Works BU, Win Streak Ends at Eight

NORTH ANDOVER - Early on It looked as if newly appointed number one BU was going to have their way with Merrimack, after scoring on their first shot of the game and sending another off the crossbar from center ice. After that, it was all Merrimack. The Warriors scored the game’s final three goals to knock off the Terriers for the first time in nine games.

Clayton Keller attempts a backhand pass late in the third. It
did not connect.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

“We got exactly what we deserved,” said coach Quinn. “I thought the first ten minutes we played pretty well, but after that, they won every puck battle, they were quicker to pucks, more determined. We got down 3-1 and started playing with a bit more urgency, but after yesterday’s practice, I’m not surprised.”

By all accounts, the practice yesterday afternoon was one of the worst of the year. In fact, Quinn said it was the worst practice since he took over the team in 2013.

Chad Krys opened the scoring 3:20 into the game. Patrick Harper dug a puck off the far wall and moved it over to Clayton Keller. From the bottom of the circle, Keller dished to Krys in the mid slot and from there, Krys rang a shot off the right post and in behind MC goalie Collin Delia.

Merrimack’s Mathieu Tibbet tied things up with a little over four minutes left in the frame on a tip-in goal from Ludvig Kolquist on the rush.

The second period started ominously for the Terriers. Charlie McAvoy hit Tyler Irvine from behind into the end boards. Irvine was slow to get up and McAvoy was tossed for hitting from behind. On the ensuing MC power play, however, it was Clayton Keller getting the best chance.

An MC defender fumbled the puck at the blue line and Keller jumped it, taking advantage of the turnover, and was in on a breakaway. Just before the top of the crease, Keller was tripped, the puck still went in the net, but was ruled it went in after Keller crashed into Delia and knocked the net off. Keller was given a penalty shot, but coach Quinn opted to make it four on four in hopes of easing the penalty kill.

“If I had to do it over again I would have taken the penalty shot,” said Quinn. “I'm sitting there thinking it's a five-minute penalty and we can knock two minutes off of it. You know, we got a four on four, maybe we can generate some offense that way. Looking back, I should have taken the penalty shot.”

Minutes later on another BU penalty, Logan Coomes redirected a Jared Kolquist shot at the side of the net in behind BU goalie Connor LaCouvee for his second of the year.

Hampus Gustafsson added another power play goal 2:19 into the third to really put BU back on their heals.

The Terriers, as Quinn said played a little better in the third. They threw 18 shots on Delia in the final stanza, but really didn’t generate many good chances.

“It was a pretty humbling loss, but it definitely started yesterday,” said captain Doyle Somerby. “We got a little cocky with the rankings and everything with an eight game win streak and it definitely got in our heads a little bit.”

BU and Merrimack will go at it again on Friday night back at Agganis