PROVIDENCE, R.I. ‘- At this rate, Nick Bonino might be donning an NHL uniform sooner rather than later.
The sophomore forward, whose draft rights were traded by the San Jose Sharks to the Anaheim Ducks Wednesday in a four-player deadline deal, scored two power-play goals as part of a career-high five-point night Friday as the No. 1 Boston University men’s hockey team routed Providence College, 8-2, at Schneider Arena.
Senior forward Brandon Yip netted a hat trick ‘- including his 100th career point ‘- for the Terriers (26-5-4, 17-5-4 Hockey East), who stretched their unbeaten streak to 15 games. With the win, BU assured itself at least the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Hockey East Tournament.’
Seven weeks removed from a stunning upset victory over the Terriers Jan. 13 at Agganis Arena, the hapless Friars (7-21-5, 4-17-5) had no answers this time around. BU converted four of its eight first-period shots and never looked back, rendering the final two periods irrelevant in a game that demonstrated just how explosive the top-scoring team in the country can be.
‘I thought once we got that first goal [10:33 into the first], it kind of opened up the flood gates for us,’ BU coach Jack Parker said. ‘Up until that point, I wasn’t happy with the way we were playing. They were coming at us pretty hard and then, all of a sudden, once again the power play changes the game for us and it’s game over.’
Leading the charge was the Terriers’ second line of Bonino, senior forward John McCarthy and Yip, as the trio combined for 12 points to back a 20-save outing from freshman goaltender Kieran Millan.
Following early-season struggles that saw him register just one multi-goal effort through Feb. 1, Bonino has scored eight goals in his last 10 games after lighting the lamp just seven times in BU’s first 25 contests.
‘We’ve always known he had the skill,’ Yip said. ‘His work ethic this year has really picked up and it’s showing on the ice. If he keeps working hard, with the talent he has he’s pretty much unstoppable most nights.’
‘Maybe the Beanpot makes me play a little better and it keeps going throughout the rest of the year,’ Bonino said of his recent surge, which began with a two-goal game Feb. 2 in the opening round of the Beanpot Tournament against Harvard University. ‘Whatever it is, I like it and hopefully it will continue.’
With Wednesday’s trade, it’s clear that professional clubs are taking notice of the former sixth-round draft pick and Hockey East Player of the Month for February.
‘[Wednesday] was a real exciting day,’ Bonino said. ‘It’s just really exciting to be part of an NHL deal, but I’m focused on BU now. We’ll talk about [next year] after the season I’d imagine, but right now I’m at BU. No one really thinks about that until the year is over.’
Staked to a 4-0 lead after the first, the Terriers continued their onslaught in the second period with a 14-shot attack that included goals from Bonino and McCarthy.
Providence leading scorer Matt Bergland beat Millan midway through the session to put the Friars on the board, but it was too little too late in support of freshman goaltender Alex Beaudry (17 saves).
The third period belonged to Yip, who became the 76th Terrier to reach the 100-point plateau. The right winger put the finishing touches on his milestone night at 12:50, burying a one-timer from the slot for his third goal of the contest. ‘ ‘
Game notes: Senior defenseman Steve Smolinsky started in place of injured junior defenseman Brian Strait (knee). ‘hellip; Providence senior goaltender Chris Mannix relieved Beaudry five minutes into the third period, allowing one goal on two shots over the final 15:32. ‘hellip; The eight-goal output was a season high for the Terriers. ‘hellip; BU’s unbeaten streak is its longest since a 17-game stretch during the 1995-96 season.
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