BU Icemen Shoot for Their First National Championship since 2009
Terriers take on Yale today in NCAA Tournament first round
With their 30th Beanpot title and their 8th Hockey East Tournament Championship under their belt, the number two men’s hockey Terriers are ready for the first round of the NCAA tournament.
This afternoon’s Northeast Regional game against Yale in Manchester, N.H., marks the first time the Terriers (27-7-5) have made it to the NCAA tournament since 2012.
“It’s certainly exciting,” says head coach David Quinn (CAS’89) of the possibility of winning another national championship (the Terriers earned their fifth national title in 2009). “It would mean a whole lot to everyone, including myself. However, we have to focus on our game today against Yale. We can’t look past anyone in this tournament—if they’re here, that means they’re pretty good. The seeding means nothing.”
Coming in as the top seed, the Terriers have the best offense in the country, averaging 3.89 goals per game. A big reason for this is freshman sensation Jack Eichel (CGS’16). One of 10 finalists, and the first freshman finalist in 12 years, for the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey’s top honor, Eichel has amassed 66 points this season, a new single-season program record for a freshman. He earned 11 of those points during the Hockey East Tournament, breaking BU’s previous tournament record of 10.
While Eichel may be capturing most of the headlines, the Terriers’ success on the ice this season has been a team effort. Ahti Oksanen (COM’16) is third in the nation in power-play goals (9) and sixth in goals per game (.64), while Evan Rodrigues (SMG’15) is second in the country in points (57) and assists (39). Quinn says the team’s greatest asset going into the NCAA Tournament is the balance they’ve achieved on the lines in recent weeks.
“I really like our lines,” he says. “I thought A. J. Greer (CGS’16) played really well over the weekend. I really like Robbie Baillargeon (CGS’15) playing with Matt Lane (SMG’16) and Nikolas Olsson (CGS’16). I thought the Mike Moran (CGS’14, COM’16) line played well. I really felt like it was probably the most balance we’ve had all year, and if you’re going to have success in this tournament, you need balance.”
It’s not just the Terriers’ high-powered offense, but the quality of their defense that has contributed to this year’s success. Led by team captain and Hockey East First Team All-Star Matt Grzelcyk (COM’16), BU currently ranks 13th in the country in team defense, allowing just over two goals per game. Goalie Matt O’Connor (SMG’16) has also played admirably: the Hockey East Second Team All-Star is 23rd in the nation in average goals against (2.11) and 14th in save percentage (.928). But it’s his recent play that has his teammates buzzing.
“I think people overlook how good our defense is, and how well it’s been playing,” says Danny O’Regan (COM’16). “Especially when we commit to a team defense, not to mention our goalie, who I think is the best in the country.”
Despite their success, the Terriers are leaving nothing to chance as they prepare to take on Yale. The Bulldogs boast the nation’s best defense, thanks largely to goalie Alex Lyon, who leads the country in average goals against (1.58), save percentage (.939), and shutouts (7). The juxtaposition between the Terriers’ offense and Yale’s defense promises to be an interesting tug-of-war. Today’s game marks the first time the two teams have met since 2006, when BU bested Yale 2-1 in overtime.
“We’re looking forward to the matchup,” says O’Regan. “We know they’re one of the best defensive teams and they’ve got a really good goalie. We’re just going to try to play our game; something’s got to give.”
For most of the BU players, today marks their first time competing in an NCAA tournament. Only Rodrigues and Cason Hohmann (SMG’15) were members of the last BU team to make an NCAA appearance, in 2012. For the first timers, it’s an exhilarating milestone.
“This is my first time playing in the sweet 16, or whatever it’s called,” says Oksanen. “It’s an unreal feeling finally just being here, getting to play such big games. We’re confident, we feel good about playing against Yale, and guys are feeling really good. We’re really excited to play today and get the job done.”
The Boston University men’s ice hockey team takes on Yale University today, Friday, March 27, at 2 p.m., in the Northeast Regionals of the NCAA Tournament at the Verizon Wireless Arena, 555 Elm St., Manchester, N.H. Today’s other Northeast Regional matchup pits the University of Minnesota Duluth against the University of Minnesota at 5:30 p.m. Both contests will be broadcast live on ESPNU, and both winners will proceed to the Northeast Regional final tomorrow, Saturday, March 28, at 5:30 p.m. All games are at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The Northeast Regional final will be shown live on ESPN2.
Emmanuel Gomez can be reached at mannygo@bu.edu.
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