Men’s Hockey Notebook: No. 8 Terriers to get key pieces back for series with Merrimack
By Patrick Donnelly
The eighth-ranked Boston University Terriers (9-2) will take on the Merrimack College Warriors (4-10-2) in a two-game, home-and-home series this weekend.
The Terriers enter the series on a four-game winning streak, most recently earning a 3-2, comeback victory in overtime over UConn. BU is unbeaten in regulation in their last 10 contests, losing in regulation in the season opener against Providence, winning five in a row and falling to No. 1 Boston College in overtime before this recent winning streak.
The Warriors are riding a three-game points streak, beating No. 14/NR Providence (9-6-4) on Feb. 7, and losing to New Hampshire (5-13-3) in a shootout before winning the rematch, 6-2, last weekend. Prior to this recent stretch, Merrimack had lost five games in a row, and those struggles were one game removed from a six-game winless streak.
For Merrimack, sophomore forward Filip Forsmark has set the pace offensively with 11 points (3g, 8a) in 16 games on the season. Behind him are sophomore forward Liam Walsh, who has 10 points (5g, 5a) in 15 games, and freshman forward Alex Jeffries, who also has 10 points on the year (4g, 6a) in 11 gams. However, Jeffries has not suited up in four games.
In goal, the Warriors are led by freshman netminder Zachary Borgiel, who holds a 4-7-2 record, an .885 save percentage and a 3.02 goals-against average in 14 appearances. Sophomore Troy Korbin is 0-3-0 with an .839 save percentage and 5.72 GAA, while fellow sophomore JereHuhtamaa has an .891 save percentage and 3.69 GAA in two appearances.
For BU, senior defenseman and assistant captain David Farrance has been sidelined since BU’s Jan. 23 win over Maine, but is expected to return to the lineup this weekend, according to BU head coach Albie O’Connell. The Hobey Baker candidate has 14 points (4g, 10a) in six games on the season, averaging 2.33 points per game as a blueliner.
O’Connell says the team is thrilled to have a player of Farrance’s caliber back in the lineup after over a month-long absence.
“I think everyone’s excited to have him back,” O’Connell said. “He’s felt better every day this week.”
O’Connell said the Terriers will have to be aware of the load on Farrance’s shoulders this weekend, given the extended absence.
“I think we’re gonna have to monitor his minutes,” O’Connell said. “I don’t think he’s gonna be able to play 25 minutes off the hop. Probably 15 to 18 minutes at the most, just getting them back accustomed to playing again.”
Behind Farrance, sophomore forward Jay O’Brien is also scoring at over a point per game pace with seven goals and five assists for 12 points on the season. Freshman forward is second on the team in goals with five, in addition to nine points in 11 games this year. Senior forward and captain Logan Cockerill has 4-4-8 numbers in seven games, including four assists in three games since returning from injury last weekend.
Between the pipes, freshman Drew Commesso has also been out since the Maine series, but he will also be available this weekend, per O’Connell. The first-year has the chance to continue a strong start to his collegiate career (a .917 sv%, 3.08 GAA and 5-1-0 record).
In Commesso’s absence, freshman Vinny Duplessis has stepped up admirably, getting off to an undefeated start to his collegiate career, going 4-0-0 with a .962 save percentage, a 1.00 goals-against average and one shutout.
Puck drop for Friday’s home game at Walter Brown Arena is set for 4 p.m. Saturday’s rematch at Lawler Rink in North Andover, Mass., is also scheduled to get underway at 4 p.m.
More notes from around the rink…
Where does BU go in goal?
Duplessis has been a revelation for the Terriers, making the most of his opportunity. With a bluechip prospect like Commesso re-entering the fold, BU has a decision to make in net. Continue to ride the hot hand in Duplessis? Get Commesso back into games? Create a platoon?
O’Connell said BU has not made any decisions yet, regarding this weekend, but knows it is a position of strength for his team.
“We’re watching both guys right now,” he said. “Vinny has been pretty hot, butt Drew is obviously very capable, himself.”
“It’s never an easy decision, but we like the way both guys have played when they’ve been in there.”
Farrance a welcomed addition to the power play
On the man-advantage, BU is scoring at a mere 16%, third-worst in the league. Before Farrance was sidelined, the Terriers were working at a 19.4% clip on the power play, fifth in the conference. Without him, BU has been limited to a lowly 10.5% success rate, ninth in Hockey East.
O’Connell knows getting a talented power play quarterback into the lineup again will help things along.
“We’ve had some we’ve had some struggles [on the power play] at times without [Farrance],” he said. “So, I think everyone’s excited to get him back in that regard.
“He puts guys in a little bit more of a right spot from an offensive standpoint in those power play situations.”
Luke Tuch turning heads this season
The power forward has met, if not exceeded expectations this season with his nine points in 11 games, including some big-time goals. Tuch scored the game-winning goal before adding another in the Terriers’ 3-1 upset win over BC earlier this month, and he potted the overtime-winner against UConn this past weekend.
O’Connell has been impressed with Tuch’s impact thus far.
“His physical play is second to none – he’s a strong guy, and he really creates a lot of space,” he said. “He’s had the ability to contribute offensively… He’s had some big moments, some big games.
“He’s just is a kid that’s hungry to keep getting better. We’re happy that he came here.”
Back in the saddle
The Terriers have surged from fifteenth to eighth in the national polls, all without Farrance and Commesso, thanks to contributions from guys like Duplessis, Tuch and O’Brien. It marks the highest BU has been ranked since the Oct. 8, 2018, when both polls picked the Terriers eighth ahead of the 2018-19 season.
BU could not live up to their billing that season after making it to the Northeast Regional Final the year before, losing to Michigan. However, this season feels like the first since 2017-18 where the Terriers have the ability to make a run towards the national tournament. It’s certainly exciting to have the chance to cover a team with as much potential as BU has this season.
Featured Image: Senior defenseman and assistant captain David Farrance (4) shoots in a game against Maine at Walter Brown Arena on Jan. 23, 2021. Photo by Patrick Donnelly.