PLUS/MINUS: 4 Takeaways from BU vs. Michigan

By: Dan Shulman

  1. CAN’T KEEP FALLING BEHIND

Dating back to last weekend, the Boston University Terriers surrendered an early lead to their opponents and trailed entering the third period. Michigan led 2-0 halfway in the first period on Friday and Saturday, immediately putting the Terriers in quite the hole. While BU would overcome on Friday, the Terriers were not so fortunate the following afternoon. The Terriers only played well for one out of the six periods this weekend – the third period on Friday. BU looked almost in awe of Michigan’s size and speed, and were immediately made to pay for their lethargic demeanor.

  1. EARLY PENALTIES…AND THEN MORE PENALTIES

On Friday, BU took an early penalty and was made to pay as the Wolverines scored a power play goal. Saturday night was no different. An early penalty gave Michigan an early lead on the man advantage. Before Saturday’s strike, it was the Terriers that came out of the gate energized and controlling the play, but the penalty diminished any momentum BU had. The penalties continued to pile up, as BU was assessed nine minor penalties on the weekend, three of which led to goals. BU can’t keep giving their opponents opportunities to score.

  1. CASUAL PUCK POSSESSION

BU Head Coach David Quinn mentioned on Thursday that Michigan is a team like no other in that they make team’s pay for their mistakes. And was he ever correct. Michigan was buzzing on all cylinders, creating turnovers on offense, defense, and in the neutral zone. When in possession of the puck, BU grew extremely casual, and the Wolverines caught the Terriers off-guard, pouncing on loose pucks and winning battles along the boards to create chances. It was almost hard to understand how Michigan had lost earlier this season. They starkly outplayed the Terriers all weekend, and it showed on the scoreboard Saturday.

  1. MORE SHOTS ON GOAL

When the Terriers did get scoring chances, they were dashed in a hurry. BU only recorded 52 shots on target for the entire weekend. Many shots went wide or were blocked by the Wolverines defenders. Shots that did find their way through were fought off desperately by Michigan goaltender Steve Racine, who often had a tough time locating the puck. Many of his saves Friday seemed to deflect off the senior goalie, leaving Racine stunned. When the Terriers did score, it was either on a shot up high, or a net-crashing shot through the five hole of Racine. But the Terriers couldn’t find ways to get more shots on net, and had a disappointing weekend as a result.

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