The Terriers’ victory is the first since 2013 over the Big Red in Red Hot Hockey, the biennial showdown between BU and Cornell at “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”
The No. 19 Terriers (7-7-1, 4-4-0 Hockey East) earned their third win in 10 tries against ranked opponents in front of a professional No. 17 Big Red (6-3-0, 5-1-0 ECAC) crowd. On Saturday evening, 17,478 people entered MSG, the highest number since 2013.
Sophomore forward Nick Roukanakis drew a penalty, a hold against Cornell’s Michael Fisher, to set up BU’s first power play opportunity of the game at 6:08 of the first period by winning a fierce puck battle in the corner boards.
The Terriers took full advantage, finding the back of the net just nine seconds into the power play at 6:17.
BU won the opening faceoff, cycling the puck to sophomore forward Cole Eiserman in the right circle. Eiserman found fellow sophomore forward Kamil Bednarik alone in front of the net, deflecting the puck under the left arm of freshman goalie Alexis Cournoyer.
The Big Red dominated most of the second period, surrounding the Terriers in their defensive zone, and it resulted in Cornell knotting the match at one apiece at 3:00 p.m.
Freshman forward Reegan Hiscock capped off a long stretch of possession in the offensive zone for the Big Red, during which BU had multiple opportunities to clear the puck. Junior forward Ryan Walsh and sophomore forward Charlie Major had assists on Hiscock’s third goal of the season.
The third period looked to be much the same, but it was the Terriers who took the lead at 6:24 of the final frame thanks to sophomore forward Cole Eiserman’s seventh goal of the year. It was his first since Oct. 24 and the first since returning from his four-game absence with a lower-body injury.
A long pass from freshman defenseman Charlie Tretheway found a streaking Eiserman as he entered the offensive zone. Eiserman grabbed the puck, cut inside the right circle and beat Cournoyer by five.
The Big Red defeated the Terriers 29-17 in the match. Here are four takeaways from the Big Apple.
Mikhail Yegorov came to play.
The Yegorov who showed up at Madison Square Garden was the player everyone expected to see in his first full collegiate season. The second-year netminder was outstanding, knocking down 28 of the 29 shots he faced.
For a long time Yegorov kept the Terriers in the game. Yegorov moves well for his large 6-foot-4 frame, and his quick movements in the crease were on full display as he limited Cornell’s second and third chances. BU’s play in the defensive zone let him down after the Big Red’s first goal.
Yegorov loves the big stage. His play with Red Hot Hockey adds to his list of great performances in big games. He stopped 23 of 24 shots against Boston College on the road in his first start as a Terrier, he made 43 saves against the Eagles in the Beanpot Finals, and he posted BU’s only shutout last season, stopping 30 shots against Providence. – Eli Cloutier
BU wasn’t that dangerous offensively.
Give credit to the Terriers for finding a way to win, and to Eiserman for making Cornell pay when it gave him a chance in the third period.
But for a team with as much skill as 20 NHL Draft picks offer, BU’s offensive performance on Saturday night was quite disappointing. Eiserman and sophomore Cole Hutson had some impressive moments, but other than that, the Terriers lacked imagination in the offensive zone. Their offense was limited to winning battles along the boards and sending lazy wristers from the point. Cournoyer didn’t have much work to do.
Ironically, The Big Red made many of the plays you would expect from a roster like BU’s. Cornell’s transition game was especially impressive, and while it tried to do too much at times, it at least had ideas in the offensive zone. BU, meanwhile, didn’t look that dangerous.
While the Terriers’ offense is far from the biggest problem this season, it’s worth noting that BU has scored just nine regular-season goals in its last four games. The Terriers may be making progress in other areas, but that shouldn’t come at the expense of goals.
At the beginning of the season, BU played a game that was not easy enough. Now the Terriers’ performances are almost over at simple.
Either way, it’s not good enough. – Sam Robb O’Hagan
On Cornell’s lone goal, BU was let down by what was its only reliable defensive duo.
Cole Hutson and Gavin McCarthy have been head coach Jay Pandolfo’s only reliable defensive duo throughout this turbulent season. After Friday’s loss to Northeastern last weekend, he said, “We’ve got to find a way to get some more from other guys. No doubt about it,” when asked about the defensemen not named Hutson and McCarthy.
However, it was BU’s two most reliable defenders who contributed to Cornell’s tying goal with 5:00 left in the second period.
Hutson and McCarthy each had several chances to clear the defensive zone, but were unable to do so. With a loose puck near the boards, McCarthy and junior forward Jack Harvey both believed the other would skate to it. Instead, neither did and Cornell freshman forward Chase Pirtle beat a half-hearted McCarthy to the puck sitting just outside the left circle.
10 seconds later, Hutson fanned a puck behind the net, allowing the Big Red to cycle the puck back to the point. After Cornell’s shot went wide, Hutson’s attempted kick pass to Harvey was broken up. A pass along the end boards to McCarthy resulted in another botched clearance, as McCarthy made a pass to Fisher waiting at the blue line.
Cornell scored the tying goal three passes later. – Henry Dinh-Price
Cole Eiserman was great.
Eiserman had his most impactful game for the Terriers since the first two games of the season, wins over LIU and Colgate.
The 2024 first-round pick provided an assist on BU’s first goal and went five-hole against Cournoyer to score the second — the eventual game winner.
Beyond just his goal contributions, Eiserman was clearly BU’s most dangerous forward. He did well when entering the zone and connected with Hutson for several dangerous chances.
Eiserman was criticized for just being a scorer, but he was everywhere for the Terriers on Saturday night. — Dinh Prize
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