By: Kevin Dillon/DFP Staff
Although the Boston University men’s hockey team spoiled Vinny Saponari’s return to Agganis Arena on Friday night with a win over Northeastern University 5-2, the former BU forward had his revenge on Saturday as he scored the game-winning goal to defeat BU 5-4 in overtime at Matthews Arena.
Saponari, who was dismissed from BU his sophomore year after missing a punishment bike ride for a drinking incident, scored the game-winner on senior goaltender Grant Rollheiser and then partied like a puckstar in front of the BU fans who traveled to Matthews for the game.
“It’s always fun playing BU for everyone, especially for me,” Saponari said. “I have a lot good friends out there and Grant Rollheiser was one of my roommates freshman and sophomore year so it was funny to get a goal against him in overtime. It was just a lot of fun.”
With the loss, BU (21-12-1, 17-9-1 Hockey East) fell to the third seed in Hockey East and will now face the University of New Hampshire in the Hockey East quarterfinals.
Parker must go.
VSap scored in OT?
Karma!
This was a huge loss. The difference between playing Providence or UNH. UNH is much more dangerous. UNH can end BU’s season next weekend. Parker must go.
even if they get swept, BU is STILL making the tournament…get your facts straight!!! are you even a real BU fan? do yourself a favor and don’t read this blog!!!
playing a bad Providence team would’ve been nice but i’m almost glad we have to play a tougher team in UNH…knowing how our guys can get (especially at home), we can easily play down to the competition and not show up…it might be a blessing in disguise, I’m pretty sure the boys will get up more for UNH than Providence
Why can’t BU get players like Vinny Saporani?
Jim – because of the machinations of the Pairwise ranking system that is the primary indicator for the NCAA tournament, BU has a 99% or greater chance of making the NCAA tourney, regardless of the outcome of the Hockey East Quarterfinals next weekend.
Take a moment to read this as a primer for a “100-level” course on this year’s NCAA tourney: https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2012/02/29_ncaa_tournament_bracket_abcs.php
Thus, your comment “UNH can end BU’s season next weekend” is inaccurate, at best.
Why did Parker start Rollie in a must win game?
Parker must go!
Poster on USCHO say Parker refused to shake Vinny Saporani’s hand after the game.
Pathetic!
Show some class!
I was at the game…it was Vinny who refused to shake Parker’s hand…get the facts straight!
The players get the credit when things go well. Parker gets the blame when they don’t. This makes sense. The sky is falling.
As someone who saw the game and handshake line , Parker put out his hand to Saponari who turned away. Parker did not press the issue and instead spent a moment or two speaking with Steve Quailer.
Anonymous #9: GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT. I was at the game; Coach Parker extended his hand and Saponari blew him off. Perhaps you should also go on Twitter and read the various accounts from writers covering the game and their observations of Saponari blowing off Parker in the handshake line.
Maybe you should reconsider whom the pathetic one is and whom needs to show some class…
Why does Parker always take credit for a win but never takes any blame for a loss?
Getting knocked out by UNH, especially if it’s 2 straight losses puts Bu in deep trouble for the Ncaas despite what the Parker apologists say. They are tied for sixth now, with conference tourneys elsewhere, thieir pairwise could drop like a lead in the final weeks
Losing to Northeastern is a bad omen for the playoffs & this team lately has been beating up on teams with losing records (Providence, Vermont, etc.) but has been losing big to good teams (Maine, BC, etc.). Need to clean house (including Parker) and bring in some guys that can play and BEHAVE!!
you guys are real jerks.. doomsayers, who’s taking about getting knocked out, we are the favorites and swept UNH this season… and the vast majority of the team does behave, those who didn’t are gone. SO WHY DON”T YOU CLEAN YOUR OWN HOUSE AND DON”T THROW STONES AT THOSE WHO SHOW PRIDE IN THE SCHOOL AND TEAM THEY PLAY FOR?
Better yet, get lost yourself….
some of you people don’t have a clue.
You few Parker bashers, you are such idiots. BU has a terrific coach who has produced many championships for BU. I expect that you have some axe to grind, such as a friend or relative who was not recruited or who was asked to leave the team.
Get behind the BU team and coaching staff and stop griping.
BU is tied for 4th in Pairwise after narrowly defeating UNH in three games. Even if they had been swept away BU probably would have made the NCAAs. Bashing Parker here isn’t just idiotic, its unfathomable. He probably should be coach of the year. Give him a little credit as the second winningest active coach in NCAA hockey. They did sweep UNH during the regular season. PC BEAT UML and faces BC. I’d say BU starting Rollie was exactly what was necessary. Millan made 68 saves in Game 3. Wouldn’t have had things turn out any differently. Parker is a genious.