By Kevin Dillon/DFP staff
Both Danny and Tommy O’Regan finished with three points in chapter one of the Battle of the O’Regans, but the older brother emerged victorious when his Harvard University men’s hockey team topped No. 8 Boston University in a come-from-behind, 6–5 victory Wednesday night at Agganis Arena.
Danny O’Regan, a freshman forward at BU (11–7, 8–4 Hockey East), had the edge on his older brother until the final minutes in the game. However, thanks to a funny bounce that set up Harvard (5–7–1) sophomore Colin Blackwell’s goal, the game went into overtime and Tommy O’Regan had a chance to make the final statement on the game.
With less than a minute remaining in overtime, Tommy sent Harvard forward Conor Morrison in on a breakaway, where he fired a shot over BU freshman goaltender Matt O’Connor’s left shoulder.
Harvard’s win was particularly sweet for Tommy, who topped his brother in the first meeting between the brothers.
“The win was definitely satisfying, but it was just cool to be out there against [Danny] in such a great game,” Tommy said. “That was one of the best games I have played in since I’ve been at Harvard, so it was definitely fun.”
While Tommy was the one with the last laugh, Danny was the first O’Regan to get on the board in the matchup. Danny found a loose puck in the slot after a tip from sophomore forward Evan Rodrigues and fired it into the back of the net for a power-play goal in the final minute of the first period.
Tommy answered soon after though, as he got the Crimson on the board 2:29 into the second period.
“I guess it made it a little more competitive when he was out there,” Tommy said. “He got [his] first goal for them and I guess it kind of lit a fire under me a little bit.”
The goal was only Tommy’s second on the season, but he was not done making an offensive impact in the period.
Six minutes later, Tommy carried the puck into the BU zone and made a picture-perfect pass across the ice to forward Brian Hart streaking in the slot. Hart blasted a slap shot over O’Connor’s shoulder, bringing the Crimson within one.
Danny tied Tommy in points with an assist on a Matt Nieto goal in the second period, and then retook the lead with a second-effort goal in the third period that gave BU a 5–2 lead. That lead was not enough for the Terriers though, as Tommy and the Crimson came back to take the win.
While Tommy won the first matchup between the duo, Harvard coach Ted Donato said he thinks Tommy is happy for Danny’s performance as well.
“Knowing Tommy he is just as excited for his three points — he is just as excited for his brother, Danny, scoring two goals,” Donato said. “He is just a really nice kid and it is quite an accomplishment for the O’Regan family to have two kids playing at this level.”
Both O’Regans set personal records for most points in the game with three, which may have been a result of the added motivation of having a brother playing on the other side.
“I tried not to make eye-contact,” Tommy said. “I just wanted to focus on the game, I guess. I’ll probably go talk to him after about it.”
BU coach Jack Parker said he did not think anyone on his team played well in the BU loss. However, with two goals and an assist, Danny O’Regan was among the most productive Terriers in the game.
“Well he got three points and his brother got three points, and his brother got the win,” Parker said. “I’d say it was a bigger game for his brother. It was a nice game for the O’Regan family though, that’s for sure.”
BU was not ready to play last night. I can not remember such a loss in almost 47 years of following BU hockey except maybe for the 1990 National Championship loss to North Mich. I hope this does not relate to any “off ice” issues. O’Connor is not getting any better and is going in the opposite direction. BU needs a complete change in its hockey program. Harvard had THEEE regular D men out. I had had such hope for this season.