Harper Continues Hot Start

(Photo by Matt Dresens)

BU won their lone game of the weekend in dramatic fashion, dropping Quinnipiac 3-2 in overtime Sunday afternoon.

Unfortunately, I could not make the trip because I was playing hockey at another Connecticut based college, but did listen to some of the game.

Patrick Harper continued his torrid pace to the start of the season, notching two goals and an assist. Freshman Shane Bowers scored the game-winner with less than a minute left off a shot from Harper in the slot.

Coach Quinn put it simply, saying, “I’m glad he was on our team tonight, I'll tell you that.”

Harper now has four of the team’s eight total goals, and currently leads the nation in scoring with four goals and two assists.

A season ago, Harper started off on a tear, too. He posted two goals on opening night at Colgate and then two assists in game two at Denver. In fact, the New Canaan, Connecticut native found the scoresheet in his first seven games as a Terrier and wasn’t held pointless in back to back games until the first weekend of December.

“I think he’s playing at a better pace,” mentioned coach Quinn. “We’ve talked a lot about playing with a pace without the puck. He’s really good with it and plays quick with it, but when the other team gets it there’s a little bit of a lull. So far, I think he’s elevated the pace of play without the puck.”

Next weekend, BU squares off against an unfamiliar foe in Minnesota State (Mankato). The two games at Agganis will be the first time the Terriers battle the Mavericks. Mankato elevated their program from Division III to DII in 1994, before climbing to the Division I ranks in 1997.

There will be one familiar face on the ice, though. Former Terrier goalie and graduate transfer Connor LaCouvee is now a Maverick and will more than likely see time in one of the two games. The complete weekend preview will be up Thursday.

At the Polls
BU stayed put at number two, picking up five first-place votes in the process. Denver was again number one, despite not playing a game yet. Harvard, who also have not kicked their season off yet, moved up from fourth to third, while Notre Dame and Minnesota Duluth rounded out the top five.

Hockey East Scoreboard

Friday:
New Hampshire 4, at Lowell 3
UConn 3, at Maine 4 (OT)
Quinnipiac 1, at Boston College 1 (OT)
Sacred Heart 3, at Northeastern 7
UMass 3, at Arizona State 5
Colorado College 0, at Vermont 3
Merrimack 1, at Colgate 2
Providence 3, at Miami 1

Saturday 
UConn 5, at Maine 1
Lowell 1, New Hampshire 3
Sacred Heart 0, at Northeastern 7
UMass 4, at Arizona State 2
Colorado College 4, at Vermont 3
Merrimack 2, at Colgate 2 (OT)
Providence 3, at Miami 2

Sunday:
BU 3, at Quinnipiac 2 (OT)