Men’s Hockey: Disappointment for the Terriers as they lose third straight home game falling 5-3 to UMass Lowell

Featured image by Holly Gustavsen

By Devora Slonim

There’s no one to feel sorry for the struggling Terriers other than themselves.

“Right now, we’re having a tough time finding our game, clearly,” coach Jay Pandolfo said. “Three games in a row, at home, we lose, we give up five goals in each game. I don’t remember the last time we’ve given up five goals in three games in a row.”

Turnovers and unsustained offensive pressure plagued the No. 9 Boston University Terriers (4-4-0, 1-1-0 HEA), and it ultimately cost them a devastating 5-3 loss to the No. 17 University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks (6-1-0, 2-0-0 HEA).

The opening frame was consistent with fumbling pucks.

Despite not firing a single shot throughout the first 12 minutes, captain Shane Lachance capitalized on the hooking call to River Hawks captain Owen Cole, scoring on BU’s first shot of the game just 13 seconds into the power play.

It was the same old story for BU in the second frame: turnovers, turnovers, and more turnovers.

A scrap in front of Terrier goaltender Mathieu Caron was eventually poked in by Connor Eddy, evening the score out to 1-1 early in the second period.

The River Hawks doubled their lead as the BU defense could not clear the puck, and a sloppy turnover pass up the middle was an easy opportunity for Ian Carpentier to bury it five-hole past Caron.

Just over two minutes later, a faceoff win and a perfectly timed pass were sent to captain Ben Meehan, who fired a one-timer from the blue line, beating Caron blocker side to give Lowell a 3-1 lead.

The Terriers got themselves back within one as Cole Eiserman’s Alex Ovechkin-esque shot from the right circle was perfectly placed in front of Lachance, who redirected the puck past goaltender Henry Welsch for his second of the night.

BU entered the third period with seemingly new-found motivation.

After being outshot by the River Hawks all night, the Terriers finally found enough time in the O-zone to hammer Welsch with shots and generate scoring opportunities.

The dynamic duo of freshmen Cole Hutson and Eiserman were finally able to capitalize on the sustained pressure. A long-range pass from Hutson found Eiserman in the slot to beat Welsch top shelf for the crucial equalizer with eleven minutes remaining in the game.

However, for the second consecutive game, an untimely penalty on a cross-checking call to Jack Hughes sealed the fate for the Terriers.

Unable to clear the puck out of the zone yet again, BU conceded a goal to Libor Nemec for a 4-3 lead.

The life was sucked out of Agganis Arena as 30 seconds later, Dillan Bentley picked off yet another failed clear attempt, beating Caron top shelf.

“It’s a problem for us,” Pandolfo said about the inability to get pucks out of the zone. “The majority of the goals we’ve given up are coming off turnovers… and that’s what happens when you don’t manage the puck. It usually doesn’t end up very well.”

BU will face the River Hawks tomorrow night in the back half of the home-and-home series.

“We just have to find a way to dig ourselves out of this. That’s really the only answer.”

The Terriers will look to bounce back with a 6:05 P.M. puck drop. Streaming will be available on ESPN+.