The first test for this Boston University men’s hockey team is coming up.
The No. 1 Terriers host third-ranked Michigan State Friday and Saturday nights at Agganis Arena. Both puck drops are at 7 p.m. and Friday’s game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.
Being one of the best teams in the country was an expectation for BU heading into this season. Paying attention to details is also important, as one of the youngest teams in the NCAA.
“All these little things that we’re capable of, it’s just whether we want it or not, and that’s another sign that a young team is not ready to play,” said head coach Jay Pandolfo. “So there is a lot to learn.”
The little things were a big deal for the Terriers (3-0-1) against Colgate last weekend. By avoiding defeat, BU rose to No. 1 in the entire country – thanks to an impressive 6-2 win on Friday, followed by a 2-2 draw on Saturday.
BU’s counterparts in the top four of last week’s USCHO rankings can’t say the same: Every other team (No. 4 Penn State, No. 2 Michigan State and No. 1 Western Michigan) suffered an upset loss.
The Terriers learned that even if they are victorious at their top attacking form, they must continue to do so in the second game – especially on the power play.
Colgate fell victim to Cole Eiserman on two of the Terriers’ three man-advantage attempts on Friday. The Raiders didn’t turn around, however, stopping all five of BU’s power plays the next day.
“I don’t think anything has really changed for my unit,” Cole Hutson said. “We knew they were going to sit on Eisy. With a shot like that we would do the same.”
The turnaround in offensive performance wasn’t the whole story of how BU finished the weekend. But it does present some glaring topics that the Terriers will need to address if they are ready to take on a Big Ten behemoth.
Boisvert gains traction at full efficiency
The second-year transfer has been dealing with an injury since leaving in the second period of BU’s exhibition game against RPI.
Last weekend, Boisvert entered Saturday as a game-time decision after being sidelined on Friday. He made a brief return to the ice in a limited role before leaving midway through the game, never to return.
Pandolfo said Thursday that Boisvert has looked “better every day” over the past two days, and his “expectations are that he will play.”
“If he’s going to play, I don’t really want to have to manage his time,” Pandolfo said. “I want to play him like he’s ready… I think he’ll be ready.”
An impasse in the crease
One of the main reasons why this match is so intriguing is the goaltending that both teams pride themselves on. Many are familiar with Mikhail Yegorov’s midseason rise last season, when he helped the Terriers to a national championship appearance last season.
MSU has its own elite goaltender in Trey Augustine, who has nearly 70 games of NCAA experience with a career .918 percentage and a 2.53 goals average. He has also helped Michigan State to two Big Ten titles and the United States to two gold medals at the World Juniors.
“I expect it to be a great match. Augustine has a little more experience than Big Mike, but Big Mike gained a lot of experience last year in just half a season,” Pandolfo said. “So this year he obviously feels a little more comfortable and knows what to expect.”
Youth movement on the big stage
BU is the youngest team in the country with an average age of 20.1, according to College Hockey News. Michigan State’s average age is a full year younger at 21.1, which is the fourth-youngest roster.
Both programs will look to take advantage of the bright lights of this big game. Especially BU, which joins the Hockey East schedule next weekend.
“It’s great to throw the young players into the fire so early, even before the Hockey East season, because the Hockey East schedule alone is very difficult,” Pandolfo said. “If our guys get that experience this early, it will be very helpful in the long run.”
A look at the state of Michigan
The Spartans lost their home opener to UNH 4-3. They ended the weekend with a 2-0 win in the follow-up match on Friday.
Michigan State prides itself on shooting the puck, especially through its first two games. The Spartans averaged 37.5 shots during their two games against UNH.
But wait… there’s more
Ryder Ritchie will meet some famous friends this weekend in Porter Martone and Cayden Lindstrom. Ritchie won the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup gold medal for Team Canada in both in 2023-2024. Lindstrom and Ritchie were part of the WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers last season.
There will be a total of 34 NHL Draft picks between the two sides in this matchup. BU has 19 and Michigan State has 15.
Fun fact for Friday
The last time BU hosted Michigan State at Agganis Arena was on October 24, 2014. The only goal scored in that game came from defenseman Ahti Oksanen. Oksanen’s goal was his first of 25 he scored that season – he finished second on the team in scoring against Jack Eichel.
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