CHESTNUT HILL – Sean Sullivan and David Van der Gulik combined for zero points in Saturday’s series-ending shocker at Boston College.
That is perhaps the most misleading statistic of all time.
After Friday’s demoralizing series-evening 4-0 loss, Boston University coach Jack Parker said there was no way either Sullivan (separated shoulder) or Van der Gulik (Charley horse) would be able to suit up Saturday. That meant, with Kenny Magowan and David Klema also out, that it looked like BU would only have 17 skaters dressed.
Any hope of beating BC seemed to pop out with Sullivan’s shoulder.
But arriving at Conte Forum Saturday, the line charts had both the freshman defenseman and the sophomore winger in their usual spots.
“I was not sure of anything,” Parker said about his team’s performance going into the rubber game. “I was sure that Sullivan and Van der Gulik were not gonna play, according to my trainer. That’s what I was sure of … The fact that Van der Gulik and Sully were able to play were a big boost for us.”
Sullivan helped lead a sharp, stingy defensive corps that limited BC to few good chances and sparked a rejuvenated charge out of the BU zone. Van der Gulik’s tough-as-nails demeanor also helped tie up BC’s attack, while he played his usual indispensable role on a wildly successful penalty kill.
Both were in rough shape after Friday’s game – Van der Gulik could not skate, and Sullivan said he had trouble even sleeping because of the pain. But at Saturday’s morning skate, nothing was going to stop either going into what could have been BU’s final game of the year.
“It’s worse sitting out watching your team play,” Sullivan said. “I’d do anything to be out on the ice. Battling through pain is just part of the game.
“It’s pretty sore now, but the win made it feel a lot better.”
Van der Gulik had to limp away from the post-game interviews, but none of that was seen on the ice.
“This morning I went in the training room and did a lot of work on it, then went out on the ice. It felt doable, so I knew if it was doable then it would be alright once the adrenaline gets going, so I knew I could play then,” Van der Gulik said. “It’s such a big game that nothing could keep me out of the lineup unless I had a broken leg or something.”
Parker said that Klema and Magowan could even be back for Friday’s semifinal against Maine. But that presents another problem.
“It’ll be hard to figure who comes out of the lineup now after the stretch we’ve been on,” Parker said.
THE DAVIDS SLEW GOLIATH
Some of those guys who might have to come out of the lineup next weekend certainly took advantage of the opportunity to play on the big stage at Conte Forum.
Freshman Eric Thomassian scored his first collegiate goal right after BC had hit the crossbar, swinging the momentum and virtually sealing it for BU at 4-1 late in the second.
“He’s played pretty well when he’s been out there, he just hasn’t gotten a lot of ice time, but he’s a very clever player,” Parker said of Thomassian. “We’re actually using him on the power play now.”
Senior Steve Greeley was denied on the stat sheet, as he deserved an assist after a great pass to set up the goal. The goal stood as unassisted.
Fellow-fourth-liner Gregg Johnson’s hustle was impossible to miss, and he drew cheers from the BU corner after laying out an Eagle with a big hit late in the third.
“Johnson’s been in and out of the lineup, but he played hard tonight, played smart,” Parker said. “And he gave us legs – he always can give us legs.”
Freshman defenseman Tom Morrow, who struggled early this year, continued his vastly improved play with noticeable steady decisions and solid passing.
“Tom Morrow’s I think played really well the last month and a half of the season,” Parker said. “He’s really grown into being confident.”
FIELDS FANTASTIC (AGAIN)
Like old times, goaltending was a huge difference in the series – in favor of BU. Sean Fields faced barrages in the first two games, holding off the Eagles with numerous great saves Thursday. He also held his ground in a defensive third period in the clincher.
Fields finished off the series with a distinctive glove save through traffic, flipping the puck away authoritatively after the whistle.
“Obviously Fields played fabulous all three games,” Parker said.
The senior was rewarded, becoming the school’s all-time leader in wins with Thursday’s win, his 61st at BU. He now has the record at 62, along with records for games played, minutes and saves – he made his 3,000th Saturday. He stopped 100 out of 107 shots he faced in the series.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TWICE
The first win of the series came on Parker’s 59th birthday, while the clincher came on assistant coach Mike Bavis’ 34th … The series saw a surprisingly sparse crowd at Conte Forum (capacity 7,884), with only 3,250 fans for Game 1 and fewer than 5,000 for each of the other two. BC students had returned from Spring Break the week before … BU is now 35-14-1 all-time against BC in tournament play … The Terriers have now won three of their last four games, all on the road. Not only does that stretch include the first two-game winning streak of the season, but BU quadrupled its number of road wins this year, which is now four … The only other time the eighth seed has beaten the top seed in a best-of-three Hockey East quarterfinal, the Terriers were on the losing end against Merrimack College in 1998. “This feels way better,” Parker said … BU plays the University of Maine at 5 p.m. Friday in one semifinal, while the University of New Hampshire and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst get a rematch of their semifinal last year at 8, both at the FleetCenter … BU is now 2-5 against BC this year in a record seven games between the arch-rivals.