Hockey East Roundup: Boston University Tops Providence 4-1, Remains Unbeaten

Providence was No.3 in the college hockey rankings at the start of the season, and Boston University just barely made the cut at No. 20. But it’s the Terriers who are undefeated.

Friday, it was a much improved, sixth-ranked BU (4-0-0) taking on the No. 9 Friars (1-3-1), and BU ran away with a 4-1 victory. The game was Providence’s home opener, as well as its first Hockey East matchup of the season.

The Friars opened the scoring 7:37 into the first period, but BU defenseman John MacLeod netted the equalizer just four minutes later. Providence couldn’t get anything else past BU goaltender Matt O’Connor as the Terriers went on to score three more unanswered goals.

BU forward Evan Rodrigues registered three points on a goal and two assists. The Friars had few opportunities to come back, as the Terriers outshot them 41-18.

The two teams head to BU’s Agganis Arena on Saturday night to complete the weekend series.

Around the League

Maine 6, UMass 5 (OT): The Black Bears (2-4-1) and the Minutemen (2-4-0) certainly put on a show Friday. Maine had netted three goals by the very beginning of the second period, but UMass scored three of its own in less than 10 minutes to even things up. The Minutemen staged another two-goal comeback to force overtime, but Black Bears forward Brian Morgan scored 53 seconds into the extra frame for the win.

UMass-Lowell 2, New Hampshire 0: The Wildcats (2-3-0) outshot the River Hawks (4-1-1) 33-16, but UMass-Lowell goalie Kevin Boyle didn’t let anything by him. John Edwardh and A.J. White scored in the first and second periods, respectively, and it was enough to give the No. 8 River Hawks the win.

Notre Dame 3, Vermont 2: The No. 20 Fighting Irish (5-2-0) dealt the No. 13 Catamounts (4-1-0) their first loss Friday night. Vermont was down 2-0 going into the second period, but they evened things the score by the third. However, Notre Dame forward Thomas DiPauli’s goal — his second of the night — 7:31 into the third period gave the Fighting Irish the win.

Merrimack 2, UConn 2 (OT): The Huskies (1-3-2) held 1-0 and 2-1 leads over the Warriors (4-1-1), but a plethora of penalties made them settle for the tie. Dan Kolomatis scored the game-tying goal for Merrimack 6:29 into the third period. UConn goalie Rob Nichols ended the night with an impressive 38 saves.

Boston College 2, Denver 1: The No. 5 Eagles (4-1-0) traveled to take on the No. 11 Pioneers (3-2-0), and they opened the weekend with the win. It was an absolute deadlock for much of the game, with Denver scoring the first goal of the night 28 seconds into the second period. BC forward Ryan Fitzgerald was the hero, though, as he notched both of the Eagles’ goals for the win.

Photo via Twitter/@TerrierHockey