Men’s Hockey: Terriers look to keep rolling against UVM
By Sasha Abrams
After a huge 2-1 overtime victory against UConn last weekend in Hartford, the Terriers climbed to fifth in their conference, tying Commonwealth Avenue rival Boston College. The Boston University men’s ice hockey team (10-9-3, 6-5-3 HE) will return to Agganis Arena this weekend for a two-game home stand with the Vermont Catamounts (3-14-2, 2-7-2).
While BU makes progress in the rankings, Vermont hasn’t been able to close on a game since their 1-0 shutout against Maine on Dec. 3. The Terriers shouldn’t face a challenge with the series this weekend as Vermont has only won three out of their 19 games played, most recently suffering a 4-0 loss to Northeastern on Tuesday, which means UVM will be without the home team advantage as well as working off a shorter week.
With the Beanpot approaching, Terrier coach Albie O’Connell doesn’t plan on the team overlooking Vermont besides their statistics.
“A lot of guys are fighting for spots within the lineup. … Games like the Beanpot coming up and some of the bigger games down the stretch, guys want to make sure they play well, so that’s motivation in itself,” said O’Connell at his midweek press conference.
BU continues to execute the puck, scoring 19 goals in the last four games which completes their winning streak; however, the Terriers execution is lacking on the power play with only 15 successes over 82 attempts, holding them at 18.3 percent.
The Terriers record with the Catamounts at home is 13-9-6, with an overall record of 30-16-9. Vermont’s vengeance against BU hasn’t been fulfilled since Dec. 9, 2016, which is the last time UVM beat BU.
Leading Vermont in points (12) and goals (six) is fifth year forward Philip Lagunov, scorer of the game-winning goal in UVM’s 5-4 overtime win against Boston College earlier this season. Junior defender Andrew Lucas carries the team in assists with eight, totaling him 10 points. Junior forward Jacques Bouquot and senior defender Robbie Stucker each have nine points (3g, 6a).
UVM rotates between two goaltenders in the net, with BU likely to see each of them one night. Graduate goaltender Tyler Harmon holds a 0-9-0 record, a .901 save percentage, and a 2.65 goals-against average. Sophomore goaltender Gabe Carriere is 3-5-2, with a .915 save percentage, a 2.65 goals-against average, and one shutout win.
Looking to claim some more points this weekend is Hockey East defender of the week, junior Domenick Fensore, who leads the Terriers in points (18) and assists (15). Next on top is junior forward Robert Mastrosimone with 15 points (6g, 9a). Following close behind is junior forward Wilmer Skoog (6g, 8a, 14p) and sophomore forward Dylan Peterson (7g, 6a, 13p).
Terrier sophomore goaltender Drew Commesso will be with BU’s program until Jan. 30, when he will then join the rest of the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team for the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games. Commesso’s record for the season is currently 9-7-3 as he holds a .909 save percentage and a 2.59 goals-against average in 20 games. While Commesso is gone with the U.S. team, Sophomore goaltender Vinny Duplessis will replace him in the net. Appearing in four games this season, Duplessis holds a 1-2-0 record, a .885 save percentage and a 2.43 goals-against average.
Returning to the lineup this weekend is captain and senior forward Logan Cockerill. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. on Friday night at Agganis Arena and the teams will return on Saturday with the puck set to drop at 4 p.m. The Terriers will then hit the road to take on the No. 12 University of Massachusetts Tuesday night with puck drop at 7 p.m.
Featured Image by Carolyn Mooney