In a 6-3 loss to Merrimack College Friday night, the No. 17 Boston University men’s hockey team hit rock bottom, by BU coach Jack Parker’s account.
After the Terriers outshot the Warriors, 12-5, and dominated the time-of-possession battle in the first period, BU unraveled mentally, Parker said.
BU sophomore Vinny Saponari’s third period power-play goal ended a streak of five consecutive Merrimack goals. During that span, the BU defense broke down to leave a talented Merrimack squad with numerous grade-A chances, while sophomore netminder Kieran Millan was chased in the third after allowing five goals on 22 shots.
The young Terriers demonstrated poor composure, and were outmatched in every way by a physical, energized Merrimack squad.
If Friday’s collapse wasn’t rock bottom, it’s hard to imagine what could be.
Saturday night, the Terriers began the ascent from nadir in a 5-4 win over the Warriors. Unfortunately for BU, it was more of a two rungs up, one rung back on the ladder kind of climb.
In the first period, BU exploded for four consecutive goals, showcasing the potential of a squad that had yet to win with a true 60-minute effort.
Forty-four seconds into the game, BU junior captain Kevin Shattenkirk started the ascent, burying a shot from the slot past Merrimack senior Andrew Braithwaite.
Just more than two minutes later, sophomore Ross Gaudet scored his first collegiate goal, aided by a screen from senior Luke Popko.
Sophomore Chris Connolly and freshman Max Nicastro also added goals in the period, and the Terriers left the ice after the first to a standing ovation from the 5,382 in attendance.
However, just like on Friday night, the Terriers’ play in the second had little in common with their play in the first.
Resting on the perceived safety of a four-goal lead, the Terriers’ began trying ‘to make too many cute plays,’ according to Parker, and left the door open for the Warriors to sneak back into the game.
‘Real disheartening to see us,’ Parker said. ‘You know this game’s in the back, we’re up 4-0, and all of a sudden we’re making foolish, foolish decisions with the puck.
‘The amount of turnovers we had in that second period was like night and day compared to how we played in the first period. And believe me, it wasn’t them who was doing it to us. We had complete control of the puck, and then we just wanted to make something special happen and turned it over.’
Additionally, BU committed four second-period penalties ‘-‘- including infractions on its captain, Shattenkirk, and assistant captains, senior Eric Gryba and junior Nick Bonino.
Gryba was sent to the sin bin four times Saturday night, including twice in a four-minute span in the third period.
‘I don’t know if it’s leaders,’ Parker said when asked if his captains were partially responsible for BU’s mental lapses. ‘That creeps in every once in a while when you get a big lead ‘-‘- always has. People get satisfied. The other team gets a little more determined, especially when it’s 4-1, 4-2.
‘When it’s 4-0, ‘Awe, the game’s over.’ The game’s over when the game’s over.’
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