Men’s Hockey: Terriers fall 2-1 in overtime loss against Merrimack
Featured image by Holly Gustavsen
By Ryan Owens
The No. 8 Boston University Terriers (15-10-1, 10-6-1 HE) fell 2-1 in an overtime loss against the Merrimack Warriors (10-15-1, 6-9-1 HE) on Friday night at Lawler Rink.
The overtime defeat was BU’s first loss to Merrimack in three matchups thus far this season. The Warriors’ Caelan Fitzpatrick would ultimately send the dagger past starter Mikhail Yegorov to end a game that constantly flipped between slow-paced and rapid-fire.
“I’m disappointed with the effort,” Coach Jay Pandolfo said after the loss. “Not good enough from a lot of guys.”
The game began with both teams displaying a high level of physicality, with shoving after whistles and checking in the neutral zone playing a key part in the high energy of the first few minutes.
BU began to generate high pressure in the Merrimack zone, leading Jack Harvey to beat goaltender Max Lundgren but not the iron. Another chance for the Terriers from a Warriors turnover in the neutral zone gave them a 2-on-1, but a defensive stick prevented the goal.
Quickly, the puck would head the other way, with Yegorov making a difficult save on Fitzpatrick to keep the game scoreless.
“He’s a great goalie,” Pandolfo said regarding Yegorov. “He made a lot of big saves for us…he was really good.”
Harvey would get another chance to score and, this time, using the defender as a screen, fired a rocket over Lundgren’s shoulder to give BU a 1-0 lead.
Very soon after, the Terriers’ Kamil Bednarik would head to the box to give Merrimack the first power-play of the game. However, they would not be able to capitalize.
The teams would continue to play a physical game, with shoving after a whistle resulting in the Warriors having a man advantage.
Nick Pierre would make this one count for Merrimack, deflecting the puck off of Yegorov and into the net to tie the game.
BU generated high-danger chances in the dying seconds of the opening frame, leading Warriors defender Josef Mysak to cross-check an opponent and give BU their first power-play to open the second period.
The Terriers would ultimately fail to score on the man advantage, in spite of a good number of chances and consistent pressure.
Several minutes would go by with each team getting multiple chances that ultimately failed to generate.
BU got a golden opportunity to score on an odd-man rush, but yet again, Harvey hit the post with his shot. Merrimack got a similar opportunity a few minutes later, with a breakaway failing to change anything on the scoreboard.
The third frame began with yet another penalty, as Merrimack’s Vann Yuhas slashed Matt Copponi to give the Terriers another 5-on-4 chance, but again, they could not find the back of the net on the man advantage.
Both teams got several high-danger chances, including the Warriors going 3-on-1, which was stopped by the BU defence.
Merrimack finally generated a strong chance, clogging the slot with players and taking several shots. Yegorov flew across the crease to make the save and kept the game tied.
Jack Hughes found himself back in the box on a slashing call, giving the Warriors the 5-on-4 advantage for another two minutes. This would be one of the most dangerous chances, yet again, Merrimack failed to score.
Copponi, a transfer from Merrimack, nearly scored a wrap-around goal to break the tie but failed to put the puck in an open net.
The final seconds of regulation gave the Warriors several chances to score, but ultimately, the teams would go to overtime tied at one apiece.
Overtime wouldn’t last long, as a feed from Zack Bookman on the rush would get Fitzpatrick the puck to beat Yegorov, gifting the Warriors the victory.
“We need to reset,” Pandolfo said about the team moving forward. “Some individuals have to figure out what they need to do to help our team.”
The Terriers will look to rebound on what may be their biggest stage of the season, facing Boston College in the Beanpot final on Monday. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+ and NESN.