By Kevin Dillon/DFP Staff
NEW YORK — With 1:47 remaining in the third period, the Boston University men’s hockey team was on its collective heels. Sophomore defenseman Matt Grzelcyk was in the penalty box and his team was up against No. 14 Cornell University’s sixth power play of the night leading by a single goal. When Cornell goaltender Andy Iles went to the bench to give his team an extra attacker, it looked for sure as if the Big Red would send the game to overtime.
The seconds ticked away though, and the BU penalty kill made key play after key play. Whether it was a blocked shot, a nice poke check or a defensive-zone faceoff win, the Terriers held the vaunted Big Red power play at bay to complete its 3-2 victory in the fourth edition of Red Hot Hockey at Madison Square Garden Saturday night.
BU took seven penalties on the night, was generally outhit and spent a lot a time in its defensive zone. Perhaps this is why it allowed two goals to Cornell in the final period of the contest. So when Grzelcyk skated to the penalty box in the final two minutes, BU coach David Quinn did not know if his team had enough left in the tank to kill one more penalty.
“I [knew the Terriers had enough left] when the buzzer went off,” Quinn said. “I had no idea leading up to that point. The buzzer went off and we killed it off so we had enough in the tank. We had some lady luck.”
Killing off six power plays (including a 5-on-3 advantage in the second period) was no easy feat for the Terriers. After all, the opposition it was up against was one of the top units with a man-advantage in the country.
Cornell had a 29.6 percent success rate on the power play entering the night, which was tied for the best in the nation. Of the team’s 36 goals on the season, 16 of them have been scored on the power play.
The Big Red showed an ability to make plays happen on their first power play, creating a couple of good chances in the slot. However, Quinn made adjustments to his penalty kill after getting that first look at the Cornell power play and implemented them throughout the rest of the game.
“That guy on the half-wall was really able to find a seam and walk to the middle of the rink,” Quinn said of Cornell’s first power play. “One of the things we talked about between the first and second periods was we needed to pressure that guy on the half-wall, we needed to get to him. Make him make two passes to get to the other side of the rink, don’t stand there and give him time and space. We did a better job of it.”
Sure, Cornell went on to accrue 12 shots over its next five power plays, but BU did a good job of limiting shots to the outside. It also did not hurt that Cornell struggled to convert on the opportunities it created on sharp passes through the slot, but whenever it did complete those passes BU goaltender Matt O’Connor was there to make the save.
BU’s penalty killing efforts have been generally sharp as of late. In its last 20 penalty kills, BU has only allowed one goal — a third-period tally to University of North Dakota forward Adam Tambellini. However, BU has taken almost double the amount of penalties in the last two games as it had in the previous four games. It would not have to be so successful on the penalty kill if it stayed out of the penalty box like Quinn demands.
Quinn made it clear that he was not happy with the referees Saturday night, and the amount of penalties taken in the contest was not as much of a reflection of sloppy defensive play as it was some tough calls from the officials. Even with the tough calls against the Terriers, O’Connor and the defense stepped up to the task to shut down the dangerous power play they faced.
“I thought we got a lot of sticks on pucks, we blocked shots,” Quinn said. “We did the things you need to do to give yourself a chance to kill penalties.”
Wow – 7 penalties. So who will DQ sit the next game for punishment. I hope DQ doesn’t play favorites and benches Griz for that pathetic penalty at the end of the game. That could have cost us big!!!
No way would DQ bench that bum. He loves him. Have you noticed how Grzelyck is on the ice for goal after goal yet DQ pats him on the back and puts him back out there when other player get benched for a lot less.
WOW, What is it like to have no life??? LOSER!!!
Is Kurker really leaving? That’s great if true. He brings nothing to the team and we can definitely replace him with someone better.
I wonder what Collier is thinking – he went from a high school superstar to a bum under DQ’s “coaching”. He’s going to be another sad case to illustrate how bad coaching destroys careers.
Um, BU won….and you’re still chirping? Good Lord, you poor thing….
LOLOLOLOLOL you seriously crack me up…I absolutely, positively love the fact Quinn will be here for FIVE LONG YEARS to make you miserable!!! And I love how PO’d you get day after day! Thank you for making me smile each time I check in here! GO BU!!!
“Quinn made it clear that he was not happy with the referees Saturday night, and the amount of penalties taken in the contest was not as much of a reflection of sloppy defensive play as it was some tough calls from the officials”
DQ sounds like Obama – he’s blaming others for his failure in coaching.
Hahaha….mad again huh?
Pretty damn good coaching, they won
Some anonymous posters are trying to pretend that their Eagles didn’t lose to Holy Cross at home Friday night.. take the wins anyway you can get them. The refs are terrible. They almost made Hansen and Shea look competent as HE refs..almost
Oh, I noticed. York should be out, now. The 8 wins he has on the season equals his lowest win total throughout his career (1991-92.) What has he done this season? Where’s the Beanpot? Where’s the Hockey East Title? They haven’t even qualified for the NCAAs! The administration needs to act now. Moreover, they should kick Gaudreau, Hayes, Arnold, Fitzgerald, and Cangelosi off the team. At least the last 2 can transfer to other programs. I’m sure someone of Comm Ave will take them.
So is DQ trying to get rid of Kurker and Collins or is there a good reason why they are benched like grades, assaults, etc?
Desperate and classless DQ family members are resorting to attacks and personal insults to distract from the poor job DQ is doing…again.
Hahahahaha….good one!!
PS where are the posts with the attacks and personal insults? I can’t find them….
I’m not a family member, & I think you are the one with no class or any hockey sense whatsoever! GET USED TO DO LOSER,5 YEAR CONTRACT, GUARANTEED!!!&WHY DO YOU NEVER STATE ANY FACTS? JUST GARBAGE BS!! WHO SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE JOB? BAVIS? Who has NO JOB? TRULY YOU ARE PATHETIC…..
DQ will make you disappear in no time, winning will do that,& it will happen!
DQ has lost more than he has won in HE. When is that winning going to start? Last year’s class of BU seniors graduated as 4 year losers. I would like my senior year to be a bit better.
I highly doubt you are a student anywhere, except maybe a middle school ! GO BU HOCKEY…
The nattering negativity of the poster who cowardly hides behind the cloak of anonymity continues to expose both a personal agenda (with its corresponding lack of objectivity), and a perspective that is also tainted by a lack of knowledge of the sport. Whereas logic plays no part in “Anonymous'” postings, I am impressed with the ad absurdum extension logic of the refutations that “Anonymous” generates.
Facts:
The MSG effort was excellent, every player contributed a heartfelt and disciplined sixty minute maximum effort,
The team was well prepared by the coaching staff to be able to prevail over a highly motivated, skilled, aggressive, and fast opponent,
Between period strategic adjustments were astute, and took away Cornell’s first period ability to freewheel,
Etc.
Suggestion to “Anonymous”: Check the Radon level in your mother’s basement; i.e., bedroom, it may be affecting your cognitive capability.
Players – thanks for such a great effort – you did us proud!
P.S. Downing
I agree, who is this guy? A little obsessed, you think?
The constant personal attacks and name calling from DQ family members is getting old and make all BU fans look bad. Amazing how thin skinned they are. This is just another example of why DQ was the wrong choice to lead a historic program.
Dude, shut up about the guys family. So uncool. What is wrong with you? All I see are “anonymous” posts.
I can not believe the ADMIN. of this blog lets this guy insult Coach QUINNS family,such a loser….
I know huh? What is that guy even talking about anyway?
Amazing post! ^
the above “amazing post” was directed toward PSD, just to clarify.
He’s the one who continually blames “DQ’s family and friends for name calling and personal attacks” when HE is the one who is repeatedly belittling, name calling, and personally attacking BU Hockey and Coach Quinn. (Family members/friends/ whoever is posting on BU’s behalf or coach Quinn’s).He obviously has a personal agenda since he is the ONLY one who does this. He tries to make it look like there are others but you can tell it’s him, over and over,
Let’s all (BU HOCKEY FANS) make a pact to just ignore him. Like the poster PSD stated above, that radon in his mother’s basement must be really high!)
Excellent idea!!
I think DQ’s coaching acumen is already showing results. With so many early departures the last few years, this is not a highly talented or experienced team. However, they are showing progress after their early season struggles as witnessed by gritty efforts against NoDak and Cornell. I am confident that once DQ and his staff are able to bring in some players and create some depth that we’ll be very happy with the results.
Do the gritty efforts against UND and Cornell balance out the blow out, humiliating losses to Maine and BC?
Why humiliating loss to Maine? Didn’t they beat the almighty BC? And if I remember correctly, by a pretty big margin. The way I see it, anything can happen on any given night…we just have to hope our guys play hard every game.
I agree Dec 5, 9:58 pm – and I would like to add BC’s loss to Holy Cross!!