Curry, Carpenter Find Scoring Touch

Coming into the weekend, Bobo Carpenter and Patrick Curry had combined to score zero goals in the first four games of the year. After this weekend, the two had seven between them.

Bobo Carpenter was named Hockey East Player of the week.
(Photo by Matt Dresens)

For Carpenter, it was about being opportunistic. Friday, he scored a pair of shorthanded goals in the second period. He was the first player since Cason Hohmann in the 2015 Hockey East Playoffs against Merrimack to score two shorthanded goals in the same game. Then, on Saturday, Carpenter notched a hat trick with all three of his goals coming on the power-play.

“Bobo’s obviously been a little snakebitten early and it's nice to see guys get off the schneid and get goals,” said coach Quinn on Saturday.

Curry, on the other hand, started the weekend out on the fourth line Friday night. Midway through the game, Head Coach David Quinn moved the sophomore forward up with Jordan Greenway and Shane Bowers.

“I just thought Curry was playing well,” said Quinn after Friday’s game. “We bumped him up there, though he had a lot of energy. He did some things we are going to need him to do. He’s got quick hands and can shoot a puck. I thought he would be a good complement to them.”

Saturday, Quinn took it a step farther, putting Curry on the first line with Brady Tkachuk and Bobo Carpenter. The move paid off just 1:29 into the game when Curry tipped home a John McLeod point shot to give BU a 2-0 lead. Later in the period, Curry scored again, this time off a rebound.

“He’s earned that opportunity,” said Quinn on Saturday. “Pat’s come a long way in a month and a half. From a guy who’s not been in the lineup, he’s claimed a spot for himself. As long as he plays physical and plays with a pace, he’s going to contribute for us.”

Humbly Curry said, “I was fortunate to be near the net and have some pucks bounce off of me.”

Even strength Struggle
Friday night, BU again struggled to find offense in five-on-five situations. In fact, Pat Curry’s first goal on Saturday was the Terriers first even-strength goal since the second period of the first Minnesota State game. That’s 1:23.59 between Shane Bowers’ goals on October 13th and Curry’s goal Saturday night for those scoring at home.

At the Polls
BU was up one slot in the USCHO poll from 7th to 6th. Denver was again the top team in the land with 33 first-place votes. St. Cloud jumped up one peg from 3rd to second, while Harvard, North Dakota and Wisconsin rounded out the top five.

Hockey East Scoreboard
Friday
Lowell 3, at Clarkson 1
Miami 7, at Maine 5
Quinnipiac 6, at Northeastern 4
Providence 6, at St. Lawrence 5 (OT)
Ohio State 3, at UMass 1
Colorado College 3, at New Hampshire 6
Vermont 1, at Michigan 4
Boston College 2, at St. Cloud 5
Merrimack 5, at Duluth 5
UConn 2, at Boston University 2 (OT)

Saturday
Vermont 2, at Michigan 3
Miami 3, at Maine 6
Quinnipiac 3, at Northeastern 2 (OT)
Lowell 5, at St. Lawrence 0
Colorado College 2, at New Hampshire 1 (OT)
Providence 0, at Clarkson 4
Ohio State 3, at UMass 0
Boston College 1, at St Cloud 3
Merrimack 2, at Duluth 7
Boston University 6, at UConn 3