It was two different Boston University men’s hockey teams last weekend.
The Terriers (4-1-1, 1-0-0 Hockey East) were embarrassed Friday night in a 7-2 loss. BU didn’t play all that differently from any other game this season — North Dakota just made them pay.
Then, BU came out with a different fire on Saturday night. It started on its toes instead of its heels. The Terriers played a complete game with a momentum-shifting short-handed goal from Devin Kaplan and a dagger from Tom Willander to win 4-3.
“Friday night we were overwhelmed and for whatever reason we weren’t hard on pucks, we weren’t competing. It certainly cost us,” head coach Jay Pandolfo said during this week’s media availability. “We responded Saturday, playing a completely different game.”
The Terriers don’t have a break from blue-blood matchups with a two-game series against No. 11 Michigan (3-2-1) this weekend.
“I definitely have some concerns with the way those first four games started,” Pandolfo said. “The fifth one started better, so I’m trying to take that as a positive and build off that.”
Scoring up and down the line chart
Pandolfo stressed “scoring by committee” for the team when discussing the way to make up for the loss of Macklin Celebrini and Lane Hutson.
October’s Hockey East Rookie of the Month Cole Eiserman leads the team in scoring with four goals. The freshman phenom has lived up to expectations but the weight hasn’t fallen completely on his shoulders.
“We’re going to need everyone to contribute throughout our lineup, and we’ve been getting that for the most part,” Pandolfo said. “All four of our lines can score, and it’s going to maybe be a different line each night, but we’re certainly going to need contributions from everyone.”
Junior captain Ryan Greene has three goals, while forward Jack Harvey and defenseman Tom Willander have two apiece. Captain Shane Lachance leads the team in points with a goal and five assists. The Terriers have had 11 different goal-scorers.
The BU power play has been especially potent with the fifth-best unit, scoring at a 30.4% clip.
The duality of Devin Kaplan
Assistant captain Devin Kaplan has had his fair share of ups and downs this season.
Kaplan has the second-most penalty minutes in the league. His season started with four penalties taken against Holy Cross, and two more multi-penalty games. It’s an issue that has plagued the junior since he started at BU.
Then, on Saturday, Kaplan scored what is arguably BU’s most important goal this season — he took the slot on a short-handed rush, rifling home the goal.
Pandolfo praised Kaplan’s compete level and consistency, even in Friday night’s loss.
“When he’s moving his feet, when he’s physical, when he’s getting to the net, he can be a huge factor for our team, and he was on Saturday,” Pandolfo said. “He had a great weekend and he’s had a great week of practice, so I think we’re just going to see him get better and better.
Previewing the Wolverines
The Wolverines have split every series so far. Michigan is in a similar position to the Terriers, losing top talent in the season turnover. In their last contest, the Wolverines defeated the U.S. National Team Development Program in overtime.
A freshman also leads the Wolverines with Michael Hage scoring four goals and three assists. BU freshman defenseman Cole Hutson and Hage will make for a marquee matchup this weekend.
Michigan’s power play has been a weak point in the season with a 10.5% power play percentage.
The Wolverines run a two-goalie system — graduate student Logan Stein and freshman Cameron Korpi. Stein has a .925 save percentage in three starts, while Korpi has a .915 save percentage with a 1-1-1 record in three starts.
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