Despite holding a one-goal lead on four occasions, #5 Terriers lost to #12 Maine 5-4 in extra time, in a packed Alfond Arena.
“It wasn’t great,” coach Jay Pandolfo said. “Every time we took a lead, we gave it right back. Our data isn’t where we need it to be… We have to do a better job of picking up guys around our net.”
Although he was pleased with his team’s penalty kill – a perfect five-for-five, Pandolfo felt his team did not play enough of a simple north-south skating game and did not match Maine’s physical play.
After being outscored 5-1 early, BU opened the scoring at the 3:15 mark Cole Hutson‘s third goal. Mick Frechette broke up a play in the neutral zone and John McNelis carried the puck across the Maine blue line. He dished the puck to Hutson and raced through the left circle for a quick finish Albin Boya
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Hutty helped us on our way…
Watch on ESPN+: https://t.co/zPnleSUUyJ@hockey_oost | @espn#GoBUpic.twitter.com/zb7jtrIuAX
— BU Men’s Hockey (@TerrierHockey) October 31, 2025
On the ensuing face-off, Maine fired a long shot Mikhail Yegorov was able to block, but sent it to the high slot. Top scorer of the Black Bears Justin Poirer snapped a shot that beat Yegorov high to the blocker’s side. A Maine skater appeared to make contact with the goalie during play, but after a review the goal stood.
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pic.twitter.com/cHcEmuNbvz https://t.co/pOMDu4JwJy
— Boston Hockeyblog (@BOShockeyblog) November 1, 2025
Terriers then scored the only power play goal of the game, needing just nine seconds to connect. The puck came back to Hutson and then went to Owen McLaughlin to whom has been transferred Ryder Ritchie with his back to the goalkeeper. The freshman wing quickly hit a backhander behind Boija for his third goal of the season.
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And now Ryder has us going!!
Watch on ESPN+: https://t.co/zPnleSUUyJ@hockey_oost | @espn#GoBUpic.twitter.com/eviWvj0u0Z
— BU Men’s Hockey (@TerrierHockey) October 31, 2025
As Maine made a power play late in the period, Yegorov stoned Jaden Lipinski who came flying past the weak side, unnoticed. But that play, used several times by Maine, would come back to haunt the Terriers.
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No, Big Mike isn’t in costume; he’s just a brick wall every night.
Watch on ESPN+: https://t.co/zPnleSUUyJ@hockey_oost | @espn#GoBUpic.twitter.com/HLPVLnmZjX
— BU Men’s Hockey (@TerrierHockey) November 1, 2025
Seven minutes into the second period, after BU killed a penalty, Maine equalized. Sully Scholle aimed a long shot between his own legs and through Charlie Trethewey‘s and Yegorov’s.
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pic.twitter.com/Tm16VwJqGC https://t.co/DqFt2y2s8r
— Boston Hockeyblog (@BOShockeyblog) November 1, 2025
BU took the lead for the third time late in the period. Aiden Celebrini kept the puck in the offensive zone and brought it to Merrill for a shot that was blocked by a defenseman. Jack Murtagh grabbed the loose puck and sent it across the goalmouth to Merrill, who backhanded it over a fallen Boija for his first collegiate goal.
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Well, isn’t that just a treat? Ben Merrill’s first collegiate goal gives us the lead!
Watch on ESPN+: https://t.co/zPnleSUUyJ@hockey_oost | @espn#GoBUpic.twitter.com/V2Q3nRoZUq
— BU Men’s Hockey (@TerrierHockey) November 1, 2025
The Black Bears again responded quickly. While the home team was in a hurry, BU failed to provide cover Owen Fowler on the weak side and he beat Yegorov to make it three apiece.
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pic.twitter.com/HySBVWPBkH https://t.co/bSvoJe3Jwh
— Boston Hockeyblog (@BOShockeyblog) November 1, 2025
Terriers took the lead for the fourth and final time early in the third period. Sacha Boisvert‘s shot attempt from the left boards was blocked, but Jack Harvey sent the puck across the ice to Boumedienne for a one-timer from the right circle that pinched over Boija’s shoulder. It was the sophomore’s second goal. 4-3.
Poirer scored his second goal of the match after seven minutes when a shot went off the end boards and he beat the defense to score from the goal line.
Consecutive penalties for Maine in the final five minutes of the period gave BU 3:18 of the power play, including a 42-second two-man advantage. Terriers fired seven shots at Boija and the Swedish netminder stopped them all.
In overtime, BU had the first possession, but failed to put a shot on goal. Maine took possession, sped up the ice and again got the puck to an unmarked skater on the weak side. Braden Holtwho slipped a backhander through Yegorov’s five-hole for the game winner.
Yegorov stopped 30 shots while Boija turned aside 24.
● GoTerriers.com to summarize
And box score
● Pandolfo after the match
● Boston Hockey Blog to summarize
The teams will meet again on Saturday evening at 7:30 PM. Game Day links are in the GoTerriers.com recap.
Looking ahead
2027 recruit Carter Meijer scored a goal and assisted on two other goals in the NTDP U17s 6-4 win over Canada White in a pre-tournament exhibition for the World U17 Challenge in Truro, Nova Scotia.
Women’s team
Terriers dropped a 3-1 decision to Northeastern at Walter Brown Arena. From the middle of the second period until the final minute of regulation, the teams were tied at 1-1. The Huskies scored a power play goal and added an empty net for the win.
● GoTerriers.com to summarize And box score
Looking back
Photo credit Glenn Staub
Former BU captain and DHO Doug Friedman is now head coach of the new Division 3 Western Connecticut hockey team. In the team’s first game, the Wolves rallied to tie Albertus Magnus in the final minute of regulation before overtime. 5-4.
Friedman led the Terriers to the national championship game from 1993-94 before embarking on a seven-year pro career that included NHL stints with Edmonton and Nashville.
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