Men’s Hockey: Three takeaways from BU’s sweep of Vermont

By Patrick Donnelly

The Boston University Terriers (8-2) completed a sweep at the University of Vermont this weekend. first beating the Catamounts (1-7-2), 1-0, on Friday before taking care of business on Saturday with a 5-1 win.

With the sweep, the Terriers jumped to No. 11 in the USCHO.com poll, while remaining at No. 13 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll. BU remains unbeaten in regulation in their last nine contests.

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

Jay O’Brien silencing doubters

There was a lot of noise around the sophomore forward entering this season after his unceremonious time at Providence College two seasons ago. A 2018 first round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers, O’Brien found his game with Penticton of the BCHL last year with 66 points in 46 games. However, there were still question marks around the highly-touted prospect entering this season with BU, whether he would fit, if he could make it work at the collegiate level, etc.

With 10 points (6g, 4a) in 10 games on the season so far, it’s safe to say O’Brien has started to put those doubts to rest. O’Brien has driven offense for the Terriers since the first game of the season, centering the top line. Even with a rotating cast of characters on the wing, O’Brien has continued to produce for the Terriers, and had his best weekend yet in the two Vermont games with a hat trick on Saturday after assisting Friday’s only goal.

He’s a player that clearly feeds off confidence, and so far this year, he’s had his swagger.

Tuch-Skoog-Mastrosimone line continues to have strong connection

Since the third game of the year when sophomore forward Wilmer Skoog made his season debut, he and freshman Luke Tuch have been on a line together in every game, and sophomore Robert Mastrosimone has been on their right side for six of eight total contests that all three have been in the lineup.

Tuch has eight points (4g, 4a) in 10 games on the year, six of which (3g, 3a) have come while paired with Skoog, who has five points on the year (3g, 2a). Each of Mastrosimone’s five points (2g, 3a) have come when he’s been with Tuch and Skoog, while all three of Skoog’s goals have been scored when the three are together as well.

Skoog found Tuch for two goals, including the game-winner, in BU’s upset win over Boston College two weeks ago, and that connection was on display again versus Vermont.

On Saturday, Mastrosimone broke up a UVM breakout and dished the puck to Tuch, who found Skoog in the slot. Skoog buried the opportunity. Later in the game, Skoog and Mastrosimone broke free for a 2-on-1 and nearly scored, but Mastrosimone rang the post.

The trio boasts a do-it-all style of play, and all three bring their own unique flare to the line. Tuch plays a mature, physical brand of hockey, Skoog brings a nifty, underrated play-making ability and also has a larger frame to be successful in the dirty areas, while Mastrosimone is the speedy, fearless Swiss Army knife.

Each style compliments the other, and the connection continues to pay off for BU.

Vinny Duplessis looked the part

Fresh off a 40-save performance against BC for his first career win in his first start, the freshman goaltender went for BU in both games at UVM.

Duplessis stopped all 18 shots on Friday for his first career shutout before saving 16 of 17 on Saturday for the win. BU head coach Albie O’Connell credited Duplessis maturity and poise in the two wins, especially after the first-year gave up a wacky, sharp-angle goal off a deflection early on in Saturday’s contest. The Quebec City native was perhaps most important to the Terriers on Friday, according to O’Connell, as he made a number of key stops in a tight, sloppy 1-0 win.

With his performance over the weekend, Duplessis earned Hockey East Defensive Player of the Week, and may have proven that he’s the guy to lean on until fellow freshman Drew Commesso returns.

BU will likely return to action this weekend, although official opponents, dates and game times are yet to be announced as Hockey East has reverted to making the schedule on a week-by-week basis.

Featured Image: Sophomore forward Jay O’Brien skates with the puck in a loss against Providence at Walter Brown Arena on Jan. 8, 2021. Photo by Patrick Donnelly

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