Men’s Ice Hockey: PLAYER RATINGS for BU vs. Michigan

By: Dan Shulman

OFFENSE: C+

Normally, showing up to something forty minutes late is grounds for punishment, but for the Terrier offense, it has become commonplace. On Friday, much like last Saturday, BU exploded for three goals, and salvaged what seemed to be a hopeless game. This Saturday, the Terriers were lucky to even have scored once, losing 4-2. If the offense cannot produce during the first two periods, the already long college hockey season is going to grow even longer, especially in a cutthroat league like Hockey East.

DEFENSE: D-

Wow…that’s the only way to describe the Terriers defense this weekend, and it’s not a good ‘wow’ either. BU was dismantled by Michigan, and though they held the Wolverines to six goals on the weekend, the defense was lucky it wasn’t triple that total, as it easily could’ve been. There were tons of defensive breakdowns as defenseman grew too casual with the puck and let the Wolverines saunter into their offensive zone. It was a forgetful weekend for most of the blue-liners to say the least.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C

How the tides have turned? Earlier in the season, the BU power play and penalty kill units were prolific, but this weekend they fell apart. The penalty kill converted at a dismal 66% this weekend, which is troublesome for a team penalized as much as BU. On the power play, BU was 1-5 on the weekend, which is not bad at all. However, the power play looked especially sluggish on Saturday, and could have been the difference in such a close game.

GOALTENDING: B+

Connor LaCouvee is certainly growing more confident. On Friday, after allowing a soft first goal and a power play tally, the sophomore slammed the door on Michigan, stopping a penalty shot and preserving the win for the Terriers. Saturday, LaCouvee was given no help by his defense which seemed to take a night off, allowing four goals, none of which were his fault. All four came as a result of defensive breakdowns, including two on breakaways. LaCouvee need not be discouraged by his efforts this weekend, as his flatfooted defense left him out to dry.

TERRIERS’ THREE STARS OF THE WEEKEND

1. Doyle Somerby

The junior defender scored the game winning goal on Saturday and was the best defenseman all weekend for BU. Recording three shots for the weekend, Somerby was a +3 for the series. He was immense in all aspects of the game, and was clearly the best player on the ice.

2. Ahti Oksanen

The Finnish forward again found the back of the net on Saturday, one of his two points on the day. Oksanen took seven shots over the weekend and earned a +2 rating. His presence was felt as he presented danger for Michigan every time he touched the puck.

3. Connor LaCouvee

LaCouvee did all he could to keep the Wolverines in check. Despite allowing an awful first goal on Friday, he rebounded, saving a few breakaways and a key penalty shot to earn a victory Friday. Saturday, LaCouvee made 34 saves and was left to almost singlehandedly stop the Wolverines. A valiant effort from the sophomore net-minder.