The Boston University hockey team last night aced its final test of the semester, beating Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 4-1, in Troy, N.Y.
BU’s attack featured four different scorers and junior goalie Sean Fields made 24 saves as the Icedogs dismantled the Engineers for the second time this season and enter an 18-day layoff at 9-6-2 (5-4-0 Hockey East).
The Terriers dominated possession of the puck in the opening frame, but had nothing to show for a 10-3 shot advantage until junior forward Frantisek Skladany converted from the edge of the crease just 2:18 into the second period. Classmate Kenny Magowan and sophomore defenseman Ryan Whitney earned assists on Skladany’s third goal of the season and second in as many games.
Thirteen minutes later, and on its third power play of the period, RPI leading scorer Kevin Croxton took a feed from Nolan Graham and beat Fields stick-side, tying the game at one with 4:36 to play in the second.
The deadlock would last only 42 seconds. Junior Mark Mullen gave the lead back to BU with his fifth goal of the season the eventual game-winner taking a feed from sophomore center David Klema and burning Engineer goalie Nathan Marsters (19 saves). Freshman defenseman Dan Spang also earned a helper.
BU carried a 2-1 lead into the third and was out-shot 12-4 in the frame, but Fields was up to the challenge and the opportunistic Icedogs added the insurance.
Sophomore forward Matt Radoslovich chipped in from the fourth line with a tip-in goal, his second of the year and second of his career to give the Terriers a two-goal cushion halfway through the final frame. Senior center Brian Collins fed Radoslovich along the goal line to earn an assist, with the other going to Spang a second round draft pick of the San Jose Sharks who seems to be finally finding his game after struggling a bit earlier this season.
Sophomore winger Justin Maiser turned the ignition on the bus with his clincher with 2:30 left. Sent in one-on-one by freshman blue liner Jekabs Redlihs, Maiser ripped a quick wrister past Marsters for his sixth goal of the season, giving the team a 4-1 lead and giving Maiser a team-leading 13 points.
BU’s next game, Dec. 28 against Michigan State University in the Great Lakes Tournament, marks the mid-point of its season. Of the Terriers’ six losses, four have come from teams that have throughout the season received at least one vote in each poll as the best team in the country.
The six losses are certainly more than the Icedogs would have liked or expected, but they remain in the thick of the race for the Hockey East regular season title. With 15 league games still to go, BU has played as many in-league games as co-leaders Boston College and the University of New Hampshire, with two games against each team still to come in the second half.
In fact, every remaining game on the Icedogs slate is a conference battle, except for the Beanpot and the Great Lakes Tournament, which now becomes the primary order of business. Michigan State is down this year and out of the top 15 following the retirement of Ron Mason, the winningest coach in college hockey history.
At 7-7-1, the Spartans are still dangerous, but BU should win its third-straight game and earn the right to face the University of Michigan, which at 11-4-1 should advance easily past Michigan Tech and set up a dog and cat battle for the Great Lakes title.
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