Men’s Ice Hockey: PLAYER RATINGS vs. Harvard
By: Dan Shulman
Offense: A-
The Boston University Terriers put six goals past one of the nation’s best goalies and applied continued pressure, despite a shortage in shots on goal. In the early goings, the offense was dormant but BU found their rhythm and completed an improbable comeback.
Defense: C+
Every time the Terriers tied the game, the defense would let the Harvard Crimson right back into the game. On three separate occasions, the Terrier defense allowed a goal just moments after scoring. When playing with momentum, BU needed to keep the Crimson in check, and failed to do so. The Terriers took a more conservative approach against a fiery offense and it backfired on separate.
Special Teams: B+
After Harvard’s 29% power play scored on its first opportunity of the night, the Terrier penalty kill held the Crimson to very few chances on the man-advantage. Meanwhile, Harvard’s 89% penalty kill was dissected successfully by BU, who went 2-4 on the power play Thursday.
Goaltending: B-
Sean Maguire allowed five goals against an explosive Harvard offense, but it was his performance in net that made sure it wasn’t more than five that got past him. Without Maguire in net, Harvard easily could have had eight or nine goals, but the senior held his own and made 32 saves. There are two goals Maguire would like to have back – one which he overplayed and another which snuck under his pad – but nonetheless, Maguire earned BU a hard-fought victory.
TERRIERS’ THREE STARS OF THE NIGHT
- Ahti Oksanen
Oksanen scored the game-winner in the final minutes of the game and picked up two assists in the third period. The senior continued to raise his shot total for the season, recording a team-high six shots Thursday.
- Danny O’Regan
O’Regan recorded five shots on goal Thursday, two of which found the back of the net. The senior forward had a +1 rating and still leads the Terriers in points with 22 now on the season.
- Matt Lane
The senior forward got the Terriers on the board with a nifty tip-in goal, and then sent a powerful wrist-shot past Madsen for the team’s second of the night. With under two minutes to go, Lane found Ahti Oksanen for the game-winner goal. Lane had a 100% shot conversion rate for the night and was also a +2.