Men’s Hockey: Terriers look to keep rolling against Providence

By Bobby Serafin

After a high powered offensive output that saw the Terriers (12-10-3, 8-6-3 HE) defeat UMass, the reigning national champs, on the road for the second time this season, Boston University returns home for its first look at No. 17 Providence College (17-9-2, 8-7-1 HE). The Terriers come into this matchup red hot, with wins in 8 of their last 10. 

“I think our team is feeling pretty confident about what we’re doing as a group,” said BU head coach Albie O’Connell after the recent run of form. 

Despite an average overall season from BU, they have not recorded a regulation loss in Hockey East since October against current No. 14 UMass Lowell. With how open the conference has been this season, there’s still a chance that a late season run from the Terriers could propel them to the top of Hockey East. 

Their opponent this week, the Providence Friars, have also been building some momentum lately. After sweeping Boston College last weekend and a 2-1 win over UMass on Friday night, the Friars are starting to find their groove.

Sunday’s contest will pin two of the youngest teams in college hockey against each other, with BU being the seventh youngest and Providence the 16th. This will be an extremely difficult matchup for the Terriers, with the Friars being top 15 in both goals scored and goals allowed.

BU will also have to be on their ‘A’ game when it comes to finishing, as Providence has the fourth best combined save percentage in the entire NCAA. Look for the Friars to turn to junior Jaxson Stauber in net again, with the Minnesota native starting 27 out of a possible 29 games. In his starts, Stauber has a 16-9-2 record with an 1.98 goals-against average and .929 save percentage. 

BU, however, won’t be intimidated by this stellar goalie because over their last 10 games, where they have faced quality goaltenders such as UMass’s Matt Murray, the Terriers are averaging an impressive 3.6 goals per game. This recent offensive explosion is partially due to the recent line changes that have occurred.

By bringing forwards Luke Tuch, Jay O’Brien and Ethan Phillips together, BU has unlocked a newfound chemistry that will be very important for them going forward. Another recently created line that’s paid major dividends for the Terriers is the all junior line of Matt Brown, Wilmer Skoog, and Robert Mastrosimone. Each of Mastrosimone’s last three goals have been assisted by Brown and Skoog, with the line as a whole being a great source of offensive energy that’s led to some highlight reel goals in recent weeks. 

While BU was able to get their second shorthanded goal of the season courtesy of Brown against UMass, the long streak of successive penalty kills for the Terriers finally came to an end. With BU hoping to restart that streak, it will have to begin against the nation’s third best power play unit. The Friars also sport the seventh best penalty kill in college hockey.

“They’ve got a very dangerous power play. … They’re very thorough in all three zones,” O’Connell said. “They’re going to be a tough, tough opponent.” 

What will make this game even tougher for BU is their depleted defense as players like Case McCarthy and Cade Webber still are working their way back to full health. As a result of these setbacks, BU added freshman defenseman Jack Page to the roster. The Westchester, Penn., native most recently played in the NCDC with the New Jersey Rockets.

“He’s pretty mobile for his size. He’s got a good skill set,” O’Connell said of Page. 

Another key absence that’s looming over this Terrier team is the one of Drew Commesso, who’s shortly departing for the Olympics to represent team USA. According to O’Connell, the sophomore goalie will be available for this weekend’s start. Commesso has been very steady after a rough start to the season, bringing his goals-against average down to 2.50 and his save percentage up to .913. While his 11-8-3 record may not scream impressive, he’s been a major part of keeping the Terriers in games. 

When it comes to the Providence skaters that will be throwing pucks Commesso’s way, they’ve got a balanced attack that can hurt teams in a lot of different ways. PC’s attack is spearheaded by a pair of sophomores, the first being Brett Berard. The Rhode Island native is tied for the team lead in points with 28 and paces all Friars with 13 goals, seven coming on the power play. He was also a part of a USA team that won gold at the 2021 World Junior Championships. Head coach Nate Leaman, who headed the bench for that gold medal team, is now in his 11th season as Providence coach.

The skater who drives the play alongside Berard is Nick Poisson, who leads the team with 21 assists. As his name suggests, his creativity and playmaking ability could be poisonous for the Terriers, who often provide open room in the attacking zone when fatigued. As far as leadership is concerned, the Friars are captained by senior defenseman Mike Callahan. 

With BU and PC  currently sitting third and fifth in Hockey East, respectively, and separated by a single point, the importance of this contest can’t be understated.

Puck drop is 3 p.m. on Sunday at Agganis Arena, where the Terriers will try to improve on their 6-5-2 home record. 

Featured Image by Patrick Donnelly