BU Men’s Ice Hockey Opens Preseason Against Acadia Satuday
By: Dan Shulman
About the Opponent:
Location – Wolfville, Nova Scotia; Competes in Canada Interuniversity Sport (CIS) in the Atlantic University Sport subdivision
Mascot – Axemen
Last Year’s Record – 20-5-3; finished 3rd in the CIS Final Poll
Preview:
BOSTON — The Boston University Terriers Men’s Ice Hockey team opens its season with an exhibition game and first ever matchup against Acadia University of Canada. The Terriers won their opening exhibition game last year over St. Thomas, by a record final margin of 12-1.
Acadia, in the midst of their preseason, will play BU and Vermont before starting their regular season next weekend against St. Francis Xavier.
The Axemen finished third overall in Canada last season, including second place honors in the very difficult Atlantic Division to Canada’s second-ranked team New Brunswick. Acadia then fell to University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres in the Canadian Championship Tournament.
Acadia played two games against NCAA opponents last year as part of their preseason. The Axemen traveled to Hamden, Connecticut to face ECAC powerhouse Quinnipiac, easily dispatching the Bobcats 4-1, despite falling behind early.
The next night, the Axemen visited Northeastern University and again, fought off an early lead by the Huskies to win, 3-2.
Some key players to watch for Acadia include Brett Thompson and Mike Cazzola, who led Acadia in points last season combining for 70 points in 28 games. Last season’s plus/minus leader Boston Leier also returns following his successful freshman campaign where he registered 18 points and finished +12 on the season. Goaltender Brandon Glover also returns for his junior season, coming off .906 save percentage and 2.49 goals against average a year ago.
The Terriers will debut some of their brand new freshmen recruits, including forwards Jordan Greenway and Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, along with defender Charlie McAvoy.
Prediction:
Boston University wins 4-3 – it will be a close game throughout, but with BU’s experience and pace, they should outlast their elite Canadian opponents.
Terriers’ Keys to the Game:
- Stay out of the penalty box – 20.9% power play last season for Acadia
- Solid performances all around – Especially with players fighting for a starting job
- Get shots on goal – Poor save percentages and a 2.69 team GAA last season cost the Axemen