If Cole Eiserman isn’t scoring goals, he isn’t contributing. That’s what his critics say.
Or used to say. Because that’s not the case anymore.
In the Boston University men’s hockey team’s 8-2 win over Providence on Thursday night at Agganis Arena, the freshman forward netted a hat trick, but he also displayed his ever-growing 200-foot game.
“At the end of the game, we’re up seven or eight to one, and he eats a puck in the ribs,” head coach Jay Pandolfo said postgame. “That says a lot about his character as a player.”
Eiserman hadn’t recorded a point in the Terriers last five games, but Pandolfo still noticed his impact, especially in BU’s 2-2 tie and shootout win against UConn on Feb. 25.
“He played very well, a 200-foot game,” Pandolfo said. “He was tracking back, he was physical, he had his chances.”
“I was playing good hockey, doing all the right things,” Eiserman said postgame. “Part of the game is not getting rewarded sometimes.”
Eiserman opened the scoring on the power play at 1:23 of the first period. From his usual spot in the right circle, he blasted a one-timer home.
The No. 10 Terriers (19-12-2, 13-8-2 Hockey East) didn’t look back after taking the early lead, scoring four goals on their first five shots in the opening nine minutes of regulation.
Freshman blueliner Cole Hutson buried a power play goal of his own at 5:07 of the first. Senior forward Jack Hughes pushed the BU lead to three at 5:56, and freshman forward Brandon Svoboda scored the first of his two goals at 8:53 to make it 4-0.
Pandolfo was pleased with the overall effort but said the Terriers got sloppy in the second period, failing to generate much offense.
Freshman netminder Mikahil Yegorov stopped 34 shots in the win, standing tall as the No. 6 Friars (20-9-5, 10-8-5 HE) made a push.
“He came up with some big saves for us. He’s just very steady, very calm in there,” Pandolfo said.
Eiserman buried his second of the game just 38 seconds into the middle stanza. Once again, he blasted home a one-timer from the right circle.
“I work on that shot a lot,” he said. “It’s something I take pride in.”
Junior co-captain Ryan Greene fired a one-timer of his own past graduate Zachary Borgiel at 11:40 of the second. Pandolfo said he thought Greene looked like an NHL player on Thursday night.
“He was attacking, shooting off the rush,” Pandolfo said. “He was excellent defensively.”
Sophomore defenseman Aiden Celebrini picked up the assist on Greene’s goal and recorded his first multipoint game of the season. Celebrini is ramping back up after missing a chunk of the second semester with an injury.
“He’s continuing to grow his game,” Pandolfo said. “He looked real confident tonight with the puck.
Sophomore forward Hudson Malinoski got the Friars on the board at 5:36 of the third period, lifting the puck past Yegorov with his backhand.
Eiserman completed his hat trick at 9:07 of the third, marking his second of the season at Agganis Arena.
Svoboda buried his second of the game at 14:45 and freshman forward Logan Sawyer cut it to 8-2 at 14:57.
Graduate goaltender Billy Girard IV entered the game for Yegorov with just over five minutes to play, seeing game action for the first time as a Terrier.
“He’s worked really hard for our group all year,” Pandolfo said. “It’s great to see him get the opportunity to get in there.”
With the win, BU clinched the third seed in next weekend’s Hockey East tournament, regardless of Saturday’s result at Vermont.
“We need to keep our foot on the gas,” Pandolfo said. “We know what we’re capable of doing.”
i just saw the first period and then i had to leave, but that was enough. The most complete game the Terriers have had all season as they dominated a very good opponent.. Right from the get go BU was clicking on all cilanders, the power play was excellent in creating the first 2 goals from Eiserman and Hudson and they took advantage of almost every opportunity they created with dazzling skating and passing in all three zones. In fact it could have been 6-0 just in the first period. This is how good they can be if they play the right way as Pando puts it and give they all give 100% effort. They have a very potent offense with goalscorers on all 4 lines and of course the brilliant C. Hudson. Hockey East and the entire country has been put on notice, The Terriers are not a team anyone would want to play in the HE and NCAA playoffs, just too many weapons. In addition, it the third game in a row now that the team is victorious, breaking the alternating win lose cycle which had made them an inconsistent team most of the season.
so that’s the formula. they have the blueprint. now stay the course
good job, boys
Best and most complete game of the year – offense, defense, special teams, goaltending. Focused, intense, burning desire, and attention to details. PSD
Big time W! On a big night with a lot at stake! This team has some serious firepower. They have the goalie but can they stay out of the box and play good D? Time will tell! I’m excited to see what they can accomplish. TK out!
losing #10 hurts