Pluses & Minuses: Ronan scores first goal in tie with Lowell

Many moons ago, a member of the Boston Hockey Blog said that a tie is like kissing your sister. That may have been the case back then, but the 2014 edition of the Boston University men’s hockey team would disagree.

With the team still recovering from a rough patch that extended from the beginning of December through the middle of January, a 2-2 tie with No. 7 University of Massachusetts-Lowell is more like getting a hug from an annoying younger sibling — not what you wanted, but somewhat appreciated.

“I said after the game, probably both teams deserved a point,” said BU coach David Quinn. “We had some chances, they had some chances, up and down.”

Here’s a closer look at what went right, what went wrong and what was really more neutral for the Terriers.

Pluses

Puck management
When BU and the River Hawks faced off in Lowell three weeks ago, the Terriers managed a mere 12 shots on goal. During Friday’s contest, BU put 35 shots on the board – the same number as Lowell.

While shot totals do not necessarily translate into goals scored, they do show the changes in the Terriers’ puck management from January to now.

“I think it’s one of the reasons we played well against [Boston College] and why we had a chance and why we were competitive,” Quinn said, mentioning the Terriers’ 3-1 loss to the Eagles in the Beanpot on Monday. “We’re just making smarter decisions. If you look, I think it was the first goal… I mean [Ahti Oksanen] just makes a simple indirect to [Cason Hohmann].

“The thing I’ve liked over the last three, four games, we’ve done a really great job of not throwing pucks to the middle of the rink without a purpose and just going indirect and having a guy come over and supporting.”

Matt Ronan
For the first time in his college career, senior forward Matt Ronan found the back of the net during a game. The fourth-line wing scored after he picked up a pass that linemate and freshman Brendan Collier sent from behind the goal.

For more on Ronan’s night, head over to Andrew’s sider.

Neutral

Goaltending
Any other night, sophomore netminder Matt O’Connor would get his rightful spot in the pluses column after stopping 33 of 35 shots. River Hawks goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, however, was equally solid between the pipes.

In fact, both goaltenders stopped 33 shots and allowed two goals.

“I thought both goaltenders were excellent,” said Lowell coach Norm Bazin. “When you only give up two on 35 shots. … I thought there was a lot of quality scoring opportunities on both sides. We had a flurry in the third period I thought we should have capitalized on, but they probably had one possibly at the end also.”

Minuses

First-period penalties
The Terriers only had four penalties Friday night, but three out of the four came in the first period. Both of Lowell’s goals also came during the first period and with at least one Terrier sitting in the penalty box.

While the River Hawks first goal was even strength, it came while sophomore wing Danny O’Regan and Lowell defenseman Christian Folin sat in the sin bin for tripping and embellishment, respectively.

Lowell’s second goal, which came with just over a minute left in the frame, occurred at the tail-end of the 5-on-3. Senior captain Garrett Noonan and freshman wing Kevin Duane went to the box at the same time after a delayed penalty call. Noonan was called for cross-checking, while Duane was penalized for an indirect elbow to the head.

Unlike in the Terriers’ loss to BC on Monday, the 5-on-3 did not empower BU. With 37 seconds left on the kill, UMass wing Josh Holmstrom picked up a rebound on the crease and put it by O’Connor to give the River Hawks a 2-1 lead.