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Battle of Comm Ave Revamped; Hutson’s loose laces;
Ice Hockey

Battle of Comm Ave Revamped; Hutson’s loose laces;

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Thanks to Eliza Nuestro

Tonight the Terriers host #13 BC at the sold out Agganis Arena in the 299e
meeting of Commonwealth Avenue rivals. Puck drop for the game, which will air on NESN and stream live on ESPN+, is at 7:00 PM ET.

The game is the first of three clashes between the old rivals over the next 29 days – four when they meet in the Beanpot final. The all-time series, which started in 1918, stands at 141-136-21 in BU’s favor. (More details in the Game notes).

Right now the teams seem to be going in opposite directions. The Eagles have won five of their last eight, including a sweep by Providence. BC rebounded last weekend and picked up a pair from New Hampshire. The Terriers have dropped four of their last six, including the loss to the Friars. That followed a stretch that included four wins from five games for BU.

Coach, the only game this weekend before Beanpot Monday Jay Parolfo said: ‘We didn’t get the job done [against Providence]so it’s another opportunity, against a rival. It usually brings out the best in both teams and that’s what we’re looking for.”

“It’s quite disheartening when you get dragged along – it doesn’t matter who – especially when you’ve had the year we’ve had… but our guys have responded well in practice this week, the mood feels good.”

Regarding the team’s recent scoring problems, Pandolfo said: “We’re not generating enough second and third chances. That’s a big problem. We weren’t getting in enough. Saturday was better.” [than Friday] but not enough quality chances around the net.

“We blocked way too many shot attempts and/or missed the net.” He acknowledged that this is partly because “a lot of players squeeze or press the stick and that doesn’t work for them.”

Pandolfo said a goal in the future is to get “more shot volume.” [on goal] and having guys around the net for second and third chances. I don’t know how many rebound goals we had. We don’t have enough of it.”

“Our team defense is not a problem at the moment,” he emphasized. “No problem with our defensive zone structure.”

In Thursday’s training Sacha Boisvertback from a two-match suspension, the top line centered with Cole Eiserman And Conrad Fondrk. He also skated with the second power play unit. 6’4” Ben Merrill joins the first unit to provide a net presence and assist with puck recovery.

Pandolfo explained: “Ben Merrill is very good at recovering pucks. He’s good on the net. He’s a big body. In practice, he has kept a lot of plays alive on the power play in recent days because he is tall, has a good stick and wins pucks. You have to have that in the power game. You can’t just have one shot and the puck is on the other side.”

Sophomore Dean Letourneau leads BC in goals with 13 and is tied for the points lead (23) with classmate James Hagens. A third second year, Jake Sondreal
has 20 points, while Ryan Conmya transfer from UNH counts 14 points.

Veterans Drew Fortescue And Aram Minnetian anchor the defense together with freshmen Lucas Radivojevic and oldest Lucas Gustafsson.

Freshman Louka Cloutier has taken over in goal, replacing Fowler. He brings a GAA of 2.22 and a save percentage of .912.

Graphic courtesy of BU Hockey Stats

CHECK BACK FOR TONIGHT’S BU LINEUP

● GoTerriers.com example,
Game notes, Live stats, BU full access (audio), BU Men’s Hockey Twitter

● ESPN+ live stream TSN+

● Pandolfo Media Call

● College Hockey News Story from the tape

● BU Hockey Stats Week 16 Preview Holy Hate Week

● Boston Hockey Blog NOTEBOOK: How is BU preparing for a must-win battle for Comm Ave?

►►This week’s episode of BHB’s Terrier Hockey Talk also includes a chat with Bernie Corbett about the BU-BC rivalry and the Beanpot.

Boston Hockey Blogs Eli Cloutier delves deep into the top scores of the Terriers, Cole Hutsonincluding the secret behind his and his brothers’ ankle-breaking skating ability.

USCHO’s John Doyle looks at the midseason addition of likely first-round draft picks for both the Terriers and Eagles.

● USCHO.com Midseason additions for BC, BU make impact ahead of first meeting

Looking ahead

2027 recruit Jamie look assisted on a pair of goals for the NTDP U18s in a 5-4 win over Youngstown. Glance, a 5-10 right winger, is tied for the team’s scoring lead with 29 points and is second in goals scored with 14. Fellow recruit Brady Knowledge stopped 24 shots to earn his sixth win in his last eight starts.

Looking back

AJ Greer scored his 11e goal for the Panthers 5-4 loss
that St. Louis.

Lane Hutson assisted on a pair of goals in Montreal’s 7-3 loss at Colorado. He has a 9-46-55 line in 56 games.

On Tuesday, Macklin Celebrini scored his 27e goal and assisted on three other games in the Sharks’ 5-2 victory above Vancouver. Tom Willander scored his third goal for the Canucks.

Jake Oettinger
stopped 23 of the Stars’ 26 shots 4-3 victory against St. Louis.

Women’s team

Terriers begin a home-and-home series with Merrimack, starting with a visit to Lawler Rink today. Puck drop is at 2:00 PM ET. Tomorrow’s rematch at Walter Brown Arena starts at 4:00 PM ET

● GoTerriers.com example, Game notes, Live statsBU All Access (audio), BU Women’s Hockey Twitter

● ESPN+ live stream


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