Men’s Hockey: JFK is Breaking Out
By: Marisa Ingemi
It was a good sign when Terriers center Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson scored three goals against Union in a game where BU was missing seven of its top players. It was an even better sign when he followed that up with a two goal performance at Frozen Fenway.
On Friday night, the Boston Bruins prospect continued that scoring tear with a goal against Boston College in one of BU’s best showings of the season.
“When you keep playing the right way you get rewarded,” said head coach David Quinn of his top center. “He goes to the net, makes the pass to the point, and beats his guy to the net-front. It’s nice to see that he’s getting rewarded and we’re certainly happy he’s scoring goals because all of a sudden we look like a different team.”
The Terriers came out of Friday night with a 2-1 win over Boston College and two huge conference points in front of a packed Agganis Arena. JFK and Clayton Keller scored the goals while freshman goalie Jake Oettinger made 32 saves.
“I felt comfortable and thought I got better as the game went on,” Oettinger said. “Just continuing to work on little things that are going to make a big difference in my game is something that I’ve been doing and just trying to get better every weekend.”
While Keller and Oettinger have remained consistent all season, other players stepping up, such as JFK after a sub-par first half to the season, is a positive sign. He was named the alternate captain before the season, so BU expected big things from him, and they’re finally getting it.
Other Terriers are beginning to emerge as well, with Keiffer Bellows getting more involved, including a goal at Fenway, after a stellar World Juniors tournament. Bellows had a down first half of the season, including a couple of healthy scratches, but if the Islanders draft pick were to join JFK in the scoring column, that creates instant offensive depth for the Terriers.
Center Patrick Curry also played a strong game against the Eagles, getting involved in a scrum with Casey Fitzgerald and earning a couple of point blank scoring chances.
“Overall, a big win,” Quinn said. “Anytime you beat a team like that, you have to be happy and we’re certainly happy.”
The Terriers head to Conte Forum to face BC again on Monday night in a rematch, and once again BU will need all its depth to be ready.