Men’s Hockey: Terriers’ competition strengthens with weekend series in Ann Arbor

By Stevie Potter 

After a dominant victory in its season opener, the No. 9 Boston University men’s ice hockey team (1-0-0) will face a bigger challenge this weekend as the Terriers face the No. 6 University of Michigan Wolverines (2-0-0) in a two-game series.

The trip to Ann Arbor will be BU’s first since 2016, when the teams split a weekend series. Most recently, BU and Michigan met in the NCAA regional final, which resulted in a 6-3 Michigan win. All-time, the Terriers have gone 13-17 over the 30 games between the two schools.

Both teams have won every one of their matchups this season, with BU defeating Bentley 8-2 in the Terriers’ home opener on October 1 and Waterloo 7-1 in an exhibition on October 7. Michigan beat Winsor 8-2 in an exhibition on October 1, then swept Lindenwood in a two-game series, winning 7-4 on October 7 and 3-1 on October 8.

Michigan freshman forward Adam Fantilli currently leads the Wolverines with four points (one goal, three assists) in two games. Sophomore forward Mackie Samoskevich leads Michigan with two goals in two games. Junior goaltender Erik Portillo has started both games in goal for the Wolverines, going 2-0-0 with a .868 save percentage and 2.51 goals-against average.

For BU, freshman forward Ryan Greene, freshman forward Jeremy Wilmer, and freshman defenseman Lane Hutson are all tied for the team lead at three points apiece. A fourth freshman, forward Quinn Hutson, tailed a goal and an assist against Bentley and scored his first collegiate hat trick in the exhibition game against Waterloo.

A big difference maker for BU this weekend will be the return of senior forward Wilmer Skoog, who will make his season debut in Michigan according to BU Head Coach Jay Pandolfo.

“He’s looking forward to playing,” Pandolfo said at his weekly press conference.

According to Pandolfo, junior goaltender Drew Commesso is expected to get the net this weekend. Commesso comes into the weekend series with a 1-0-0 record, a .917 save percentage and a goals-against average of 2.00.

With both teams easing their way into the season, this weekend’s matchup signifies a massive jump in competition for both sides. Coach Pandolfo believes this weekend’s performance will be a good indication of where BU is in their season and what improvements they need to make.

“We’re trying to go in there and be competitive,” Pandolfo said. “It’s a great challenge for us, it’s a great challenge for our league, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Pandolfo and Michigan Head Coach Brandon Naurato are both undefeated in their collegiate coaching careers thus far, with this weekend potentially bringing an end to one or both undefeated streaks.

For those looking to watch the games, they will be available for reduced-price student streaming on the B1G+ network.

The Terriers and Wolverines will face off Friday at Michigan’s Yost Ice Arena, with puck drop set at 7 p.m.