And Now There Are Four
With seconds left in regulation, Terriers take UNH, 2-1
A power-play goal by senior Jason Lawrencewith 14.4 seconds left in regulation lifted the top-ranked BostonUniversity men’s ice hockey team to its first Frozen Four in 12 years on March 29. The Terriers edged New Hampshire, 2-1, at VerizonWireless Arena ion Manchester, N.H. They will carry a 33-6-4 record and a five-gamewinning streak into the Frozen Four, where they will face Vermont onApril 9 in Washington, D.C.
With the score tied at 19:14 in the third period, UNH sophomoreJames van Riemsdyk was whistled for hooking to give the Terriers a latepower-play opportunity. Lawrence scored the winner by taking a shotfrom the left of the crease that was headed wide, but a UNH defensemansprawled on the ice in an attempt to block the pass and knocked thepuck into the goal.
Freshman goaltender Kieran Millanwas outstanding during the whole game for the Terriers, making a handful of standoutstops in a 12-save first period and collecting 27 saves in the game.
Lawrence was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NortheastRegional and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Millan, seniordefenseman Matt Gilroy, and sophomore forward Nick Bonino.
The Terriers got on the board first 13:43 into the game on a goal by freshman Corey Trivino, but the Wildcats recorded an equalizer just under six minutes into the second.
With the game tied at 1 entering the third, the Terriers had1:17 left in power play and also had another chance with the manadvantage just over two minutes into the period, but could notcapitalize.
UNH got its power-play unit on the ice soon after on a BUhooking call and had a shot rattle the crossbar with under 14 minutesleft in regulation, but did not threaten the rest of the penalty.
The Wildcats had back-to-back breakaway chances near the 15-minute markof the third, first a 3-on-1 and then a 2-on-1, but Millan was up to thetask both times, capped by a fantastic glove save.
The Terriers’ all-freshman line of Trivino, Chris Connolly, and Vinny Saponariprovided the game’s first goal. After taking a pass from Saponari,Connolly fired from the left circle and had his shot saved by Foster,but Trivino was positioned above the crease and sent home the reboundfor his second goal in as many nights.
UNH evened the game at 5:52 of the second with a goal intransition, as junior Bobby Butler knocked in a rebound above the rightpost following a shot by classmate Peter LeBlanc. Senior Greg Collinsalso assisted on the play.
The BU men’s ice hockey team will play Vermont on Thursday, April 9, at the Frozen Four in Washington, D.C. The winner will face off on Saturday, April 11, against the winner of the Miami University of Ohio–Bemidji State game.
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