Men’s Hockey: Three takeaways from No. 15 BU’s sweep of Maine

By Patrick Donnelly

The Boston University Terriers walked away with their second straight weekend sweep, this time taking down the University of Maine Black Bears in a two game series at Walter Brown Arena.

After defeating Maine 3-2 in overtime on Friday, BU put forth a convincing win on Saturday afternoon, coming away with a 5-1 victory that saw nine different Terriers record a point.

After taking care of business against tenth-ranked Massachusetts last week, and now Maine this past weekend, the Terriers find themselves ranked 15th in both the USCHO.com and USA Hockey Magazine/USA Today polls. It is the first time the Terriers have been ranked since coming in at 20th in the Oct. 14, 2019, USCHO.com poll.

Here are my three takeaways from the Maine series – all opinions are my own:

Robert Mastrosimone looks poised for a breakout season

After having to wait until the second game of the season to make his debut, the sophomore forward seemed to take some time to get going, but in the Maine series, boy, was he dominant. All four of his points (2g, 2a) through his five games on the season came in the two games against Maine with a goal and a helper in each contest.

Mastrosimone showed brilliant flashes as a first year last season, but this weekend, he did a lot of what makes him successful more consistently. The Detroit Red Wings prospect was all over the ice in all three zones, getting into the dirty areas and using his speed to his advantage. His shot looks much stronger, as evidenced by Friday’s overtime winner, and he flashed his speed and finesse with a highlight reel goal on Saturday.

The kids continue to be alright

Two of this year’s headlining freshmen continue to show why they were highly touted prospects at the NHL Draft. Forwards Luke Tuch and Dylan Peterson seem to have hit their stride over the last few games. Tuch is riding a three-game scoring streak with a goal and two assists in that span, and he has looked like he belongs. As head coach Albie O’Connell has said, he “looks like a man” out there with reckless abandon, hitting practically everything that moves.

For Peterson, he has looked more and more confident as the season has gone on with three goals in his last four contests, all of which opened the scoring in each game. At 6-foot-4, 194 pounds, he’s using his size and reach to his advantage on both sides of the puck, his hands have lived up to the billing, and his finishing ability looks to be proving scouting reports wrong.

Forward Nick Zabaneh and defenseman Thomas Jarman, continue to be pleasantly surprising, making an impact in some way each game, while hulking blueliner Cade Webber continues to be a menace in the defensive zone for opposing forwards. As for the goaltender? I’ll get to him.

Is it time to put some dang respect on the Terriers?

BU is riding a five-game win streak, beating two ranked opponents (sweeping one) and sweeping a solid conference rival in that span. Offense has never been, and should never be an issue for this group, but the overall team play and defensive structure seem to improve with each game.

The goaltending is there, and this year’s squad is far deeper than last season, especially up front. With some convincing wins, including two comebacks against a top 10 program, the Terriers have worked their way back into the rankings, and unless they throw up a clunker in their next series, I would expect them to stay there.

Actually, you know what? Let’s throw in a fourth takeaway.

I’m starting to sound like a broken record

Senior assistant captain David Farrance continues to play other-worldly hockey for the Terriers. After a goal and five (!) assists this past weekend, he was named Hockey East Player of the Week. As a defenseman, Farrance is averaging 2.33 points per game through six contests on the season with four goals and 10 assists. If you’re BU, you certainly hope he can sustain a pace that is least close to what he’s on right now. Man, is it fun to watch this guy play hockey.

Lastly, the goaltender. Freshman Drew Commesso continues to impress. With 53 saves on 56 total shots this weekend (33 of 35 on Friday and 30 of 31 on Saturday), the netminder was named Hockey East Rookie of the Week. He continues to show plenty of composure in the crease, making the game look easy. Although BU looked much improved defensively this weekend, you still have to wonder how this team would be fairing without their phenom in net.

BU will likely return to action this coming weekend, although an official opponent and schedule is yet to be announced as Hockey East has reverted to creating schedules on a week-by-week basis.

Featured Image: Sophomore forward Robert Mastrosimone glances at the scoreboard after scoring a goal in a win against Maine at Walter Brown Arena on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. Photo by Patrick Donnelly.

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