The Terriers earned their first win in three weeks on Friday night, leaving Agganis Arena victorious over N0. 5 UMass 4-3. There’s a lot to take away from this victory for BU, so here are my top three takeaways from their third win of the season. All opinions are my own.
Getting it done
Outshot by 30? Who cares, the Terriers got a win again. I had a feeling BU could break through this weekend against a UMass team that had somewhat stumbled as of late, and sure enough, they did. Admittedly, it would be hard to argue that BU totally deserved this win, but scoring in bunches, buckling down on defense, and getting phenomenal goaltending got them over the line. This was Massachusetts’s first loss following a loss in about a year and a half, and I’m proud it was BU who gave it to them.
Sam Tucker had a night to remember
Let me revise what I implied in that last paragraph about the shots on goal margin not mattering. It does matter, and it would have mattered in a big way if Sam Tucker didn’t decide to have the night of his career between the pipes. Tucker came through with 49 saves, BU’s most since Jake Oettinger made 56 back in March of 2017. In a week where the goaltending scrutiny had heightened, Tucker came up with a massive response and willed BU to a win over one of the best teams in the nation. Boom.
Comeback concerns continue
Like that alliteration? I do too. What I don’t like, however, is BU giving me a mini heart attack every time they can’t hang on to a big lead, and I’m sure I’m not the only fan, coach or player who feels this way. That’s now three games already this fall in which the Terriers have surrendered three unanswered goals late, and the inability to put games away is quickly becoming one of the top concerns for the 2019-2o Terriers. Like the team has said, hopefully experience and maturity will result in more 60-minute efforts.
BU and UMass will travel to Amherst’s Mullins Center for the second half of this doubleheader on Saturday at 8pm.