Men’s Hockey: No. 3 Terriers Look for Season Sweep of Maine
By Stevie Potter
After coming off a weekend sweep of their rival Boston College, No. 3 Boston University Men’s Ice Hockey (19-6-0, 13-4-0 HE) gets set to play their third and final regular season tilt against the University of Maine Black Bears (11-12-2, 5-8-1 HE). A win this weekend would mean a regular season sweep against Maine for the Terriers.
The last two times this season that these teams faced off was the weekend of Jan. 20. BU opened that weekend with a 5-1 win on Jan. 20 and closed it out with a 9-6 victory on Jan. 21. Both games took place at Agganis Arena, while Friday’s matchup will take place at Maine’s Alfond Arena, where the Black Bears sport an impressive 8-3-1 record.
“It’s a tough place to play. … Things happen really quick there, so you have to be ready for that,” BU Head Coach Jay Pandolfo said about Alfond Arena. “We have to make sure we’re ready right from the start. It’s going to be tough, and it’s going to be a tough atmosphere. But I think for the most part, our guys have responded to that this year and I expect us to be ready.”
Both teams currently are on hot streaks, with BU boasting the longer of the two with six games compared to Maine’s two-game winning streak. But with Maine’s home ice advantage, and what is sure to be a strong drive for redemption, the Terriers will have to stay on their toes and be ready for anything.
The Terriers will need keep an eye out for Maine’s point leader, junior forward Lynden Breen. Breen currently has 20 points, consisting of 11 goals and nine assists. In the 9-6 loss to BU on Jan. 21, Breen had a goal and an assist with two shots on goal.
On the Terriers’ side, senior forward Matt Brown will likely play a big role in the Friday game. Coming into Friday’s matchup, Brown leads the Terriers in goals (11), assists (24), and points (35). Brown had a game-high four points (1g, 3a) in the 9-6 win over UMaine.
“I think because of his speed, he backs the defenders off, and it gives him time and space to make a play,” said Pandolfo when asked about Brown’s impressive number of assists.
Terriers’ senior defenseman and captain Domenick Fensore will be a game-time decision, according to Pandolfo. Fensore was injured in the 9-6 victory over Maine and missed both games last weekend against Boston College.
Puck drop for Friday night’s showdown will be at 7 pm in Orono, MN, and streaming for the game will be available on ESPN+.