Men’s Hockey: No. 1/2 Terriers Set for Double-Header vs. UNH and USNTDP
By Miranda Lemus
After a nail-biter against the Bentley University Falcons, No. 1/2 Boston University Men’s Hockey (1-0-0, 0-0-0 HE) will look to reset this weekend against the University of New Hampshire Wildcats (0-0-1, 0-0-0 HE) and the U.S. U18-National Team.
“Looking forward to, you know getting back at it. Only having one game last weekend, now going into this weekend having our first Hockey East game, so we’re excited for that. Should be another great night,” said coach Jay Pandolfo.
The Terriers’ tilt against UNH will be the first Hockey East contest of BU’s regular season, and will also open Hockey East’s 40th anniversary season. Historically, BU has dominated this matchup, with a total of 23 wins, nine losses, and three ties. Additionally, the Terriers have not dropped a game to the Wildcats since March 2015.
Helping BU towards a win this weekend will be freshman defenseman Tom Willander, who will be making his collegiate debut after a one-game suspension due to NCAA regulations (the Swede dressed for two professional games last season). He was selected 11th overall by the Vancouver Canucks this past year and looks to help the Terriers blue line.
Although UNH lost their first game of the season to the University of Maine Black Bears in an exhibition game, the Wildcats will still be a tough opponent to face. Already starting off the season strong is sophomore forward Stiven Sardarian, who recorded two points against the Black Bears.
In order for the Wildcats to compete with the Terriers, they will have to get passed Hockey East Player of the Week, sophomore defenseman Lane Hutson. After scoring the OT winner against Bentley last week, Hutson once again proved that he can be clutch in moments of need.
Also proving to be a challenge for opposing teams are freshman forwards Shane LcChance and Macklin Celebrini. While Celebrini may have stolen the show in regards to ice time last game, LaChance was right by Celebrini all night long. LaChance recorded his first collegiate point on senior captain Case McCarthy’s one-timer goal last weekend.
Moving onto Saturday night’s home opener, the Terriers will host some of the most highly touted prospects in the U.S. as they take on the U.S. U18-National Team at Agganis Arena. The USNTDP roster will feature players that fans should familiarize themselves with as three BU commits will skate against the Terriers this Saturday.
Kamil Bednarik, Cole Huston, and Cole Eiserman will have a chance to play at their future home rink and show BU who they are and why they deserve to play for the No. 1 team in the country. The three future Terriers should have no problem putting on a show for Terrier Nation.
Originally, Bednarik and Hutson were the only BU commits on the US roster, however, Eiserman recently made the decision to de-commit from the University of Minnesota-Duluth to play closer to home. Eiserman is considered a top prospect going into this year’s NHL Draft and is projected to get selected in the top 10.
No. 1 Boston University Men’s Hockey begin their double-header weekend at UNH on Friday night. BU will then return to Boston for an exhibition game against the US U18-National Team at Agganis Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 pm and 7 pm respectively and will be available to stream on ESPN+.