Men’s Hockey: Hockey East matchup set to be Terriers biggest test as they take on Maine in weekend series
Featured image by Kelly Broder
By Stevie Potter
Since the beginning of the season, Boston University Men’s Ice Hockey (5-4-0, 2-1-0 HE) has dropped from being ranked third in the country to No. 11/13, all in just over a month of play.
With roughly four months left of the season, there’s still time for BU to turn things around, and this weekend will be their biggest test yet.
The Terriers will face the No. 7 University of Maine Black Bears (6-2-1, 3-2-1 HE) in a two-game Hockey East showdown in Orono, ME.
“This weekend is going to be a great challenge for us,” said coach Jay Pandolfo. “[Maine’s] a very very good team… and in their own building, it’s very tough to play there.”
Historically, the Terriers have typically gotten the best of the Black Bears, boasting a 76-56-14 all-time record. More importantly, BU has dominated play between these two programs in recent years, with the Terriers having won 10 of the last 11 matchups, including all six times these teams have gone head-to-head the last two seasons.
Before playing No. 2 Boston College last weekend, the Black Bears were undefeated in regulation play.
Maine’s success has been strengthened by both a strong offense and an impressive defense. If the Terriers are going to defeat the Black Bears in their den, they will have to shut down senior Harrison Scott, who currently leads all of Hockey East with 15 points.
Another difficult test for BU is going to be getting past defender Brandon Holt, who is not only tied for fourth in Hockey East with his 11 points but was recently named Hockey East Defender of the Month as well. Holt leads all defenders in the conference in points.
After scoring twice last weekend, BU forward Quinn Hutson became the first of the Terriers to hit double digits in points this season. Hutson also leads the team in assists with seven.
Another Terrier that the Black Bears will have to try to wrangle will be forward Matt Copponi. Copponi transferred from Merrimack and has recently found his groove while wearing scarlet and white. The senior recorded a career-high three-point game last weekend against UMass Lowell. Copponi has six points on the season so far (2G, 4A) and all of them have come in the last six games.
It will have to be a focus point for BU to stay out of the penalty box this weekend. Not only is discipline a key factor in successful outings for this team, but it will force the Black Bears to make mistakes, allowing the Terriers to show off their powerplay, which is seventh best in the country.
One thing that will remain a surprise for Terrier fans is who will be in net this weekend. Sophomore goalie Max Lacroix made his first collegiate start against UMass Lowell last Saturday and recorded 17 saves in the victory.
According to Pandolfo, it’s still up in the air who will guard the goal against the Black Bears.
“We’ll probably make that decision tomorrow,” Pandolfo said. “We still have another day of practice to kind of see how we feel, but we have not made a decision on that yet.”
The first game of the weekend will take place at Alfond Arena on Friday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., and puck drop for Saturday’s matchup is also set for 7 p.m. Both games will be available to stream on ESPN+ and WTBU Sports radio on Mixlr.