BOSTON — After Thursday’s 5-2 loss to UConn in the Hockey East semifinal, Jay Pandolfo got straight to the point.
“That was a good old-fashioned ass-kicking,” the head coach said. “That’s what that was.”
Pandolfo sternly walked the media through what went wrong for the Boston University men’s hockey team, before Huskies head coach Mike Cavanaugh sat stress-free at the postgame press conference — enough to worry about the safety of his daughter.
“My daughter was driving from Connecticut to Boston for the first time,” he said. “She made it here safely, thank God.”
It was just that kind of afternoon for the No. 8 Terriers (21-13-2). From the drop of the puck, the No. 7 Huskies (22-10-4) outplayed BU. Thursday’s contest at TD Garden looked a lot like the Terriers in the first half of the season, when Pandolfo was routinely critiquing BU’s effort.
“Outcompeted, outbattled for every puck, outbattled on the wall, outbattled in the slot,” Pandolfo said.
BU struggled to generate offense at even strength — a problem it’s had before against top competition — until a push late in the third period.
The Terriers were poor through the neutral zone, Pandolfo said, and “a big reason” why they struggled at 5-on-5 was because they “weren’t willing to put pucks behind them.”
“They do a good job trying to outnumber you in the offensive zone, and we didn’t win enough puck battles there,” Pandolfo said.
The Terriers took a 1-0 lead on Quinn Hutson’s 21st goal of the season in the first period but fell behind in an especially trying second period. The Huskies sustained offensive zone time, forechecking hard, and the Terriers struggled to break the puck out.
“We were trying to keep them out of the middle of the ice,” Cavanaugh said.
UConn was successful in keeping BU on the perimeter, but the “real reason” that the Huskies were able to shut down the Terriers was because UConn was “playing down in their end,” he added.
UConn evened the score 59 seconds into the second period when junior forward Tristan Fraser buried his own rebound to make it 1-1.
Junior forward Ryan Tattle gave the Huskies the lead at 2:56 on a breakaway, and sophomore forward Joey Muldowney made it 3-1 at 8:42 of the second. Muldowney backhanded the puck past freshman Mikhail Yegorov from a sharp angle after Yegorov made a sprawling save on the initial shot.
“That stretch in the second period for the first 10 minutes, I thought that was probably some of the best hockey we’ve played all year long,” Cavanaugh said.
Yegorov stopped 19 of the 23 shots he faced on Thursday, and freshman Callum Tung stopped 25 of 27. Tung was excellent as the Terriers made a push late, outshooting UConn 13-3 in the third period.
Muldowney’s second tally of the game pushed the UConn lead to 4-1 at 5:04 of the third period. He pushed the puck past Yegorov off a feed from sophomore forward Jake Richard. He completed the hat trick at 16:12, finding the back of the empty net.
“They really skate,” Pandolfo said.
Freshman forward Kamil Bednarik cut the Huskies’ lead to 5-2 with 10 seconds left in regulation, his first goal since Nov. 30. He redirected a shot from sophomore blueliner Aiden Celebrini.
The good news for BU, as Pandolfo put it, is that the Terriers will play at least another game. They now await their fate, as the bracket for the NCAA tournament will be released on Sunday at 3 p.m.
But Pandolfo is certain of one thing.
“If our guys want to play the way we did tonight at the regionals, I don’t think we’re gonna like the result.”
BU has looked much improved in the second half, cutting out its bad habits. But Thursday’s uninspiring performance comes at a critical point of the season.
“If it happens again, the season’s over,” Pandolfo said. “I don’t know how many lessons this group needs.”
I hoped they had turned a corner but last week was actually a warning that the same frustrating team that wears scarlet and white really hadn’t learned anything.
You can argue that UMass came out with the same speed and determination for 60 minutes as UConn did today and deserved better in our quarterfinal matchup. We just happened to do just enough to win on Saturday.
Above-average talent playing with big hunger beats better talent with low hunger almost every time.
Which is what frustrates about this BU team. They can beat anyone on any night but only when they choose to “play the right way, “ as Jay likes to say. Which means they can also lose to anyone on any night.
Both teams are already in the NCAA Tournament but only one of them came out like they needed to win Hockey East to qualify. Credit to UConn. They more than deserved that victory.
BU came out like it was a regular season game and, frankly, being up 1-0 after one, flattered us. We thought we could just show up and win. And it certainly wasn’t the first time we got what we deserved. The 4-0 / 5-1 home beatdown losses to UMass / Northeastern come to mind.
What does that mean? Well, I suppose we can still make a run to the Frozen Four again, but I’m not sure we can get over the hump until we build a stronger and more determined mental culture (bringing the necessary effort every game) and actually caring about team defense (our Achilles heel since Jay has been here).
Honestly, if not for Hockey East’s dominance in out-of-conference games lifting all of us in the PWR, these past few weeks would have been a bit more NCAA bubble-y.
So, it’s back to flipping a coin with these guys. Guess we’ll find out how much they really want it later next week. They certainly weren’t hungry tonight. Only Big Mike showed up ready to play. And the 2nd and 3rd UConn goals were enough to show that the players in front of him weren’t committed to playing at required level.
Not. Even. Close.
(I’d be a tiny bit less annoyed if I didn’t pay $65 to park while watching that inexcusable effort. That’s a criminal charge for parking.)
BU Hockey 24-25: A talented team that just doesn’t seem to care enough to be “great”
Mike
I enjoyed how all BU fans cheered until the last second, yelling “GO BU, GO BU!!!”
We win some, and lose some!
Let’s applaud more when our fantastic team falls after a four-game winning streak rather than being harsh on them after one loss.
GO BU!
I appreciate your positivity, Bon. A good thing to have. But in this case, I’ll point you to Jay’s quotes after the game. Sometimes calling out a terrible effort is simply necessary. Patting guys on the back when they work hard and fall short is honorable. Singing sunshine and roses when they don’t even show up is rewarding and accepting poor behavior and play.
At some point, some of these guys need to accept responsibility and fix the things they can control (like effort and following game plans). I’ll be curious to see who moves on (or is asked to move on) this offseason. The mindset and competitive character in the locker room needs to significantly improve next season.
It has certainly been the biggest challenge of Jay’s early head coaching career. Sometimes you need to struggle to grow as a coach. It helps you learn and adapt. But it’s not a fun process. He’s been really frustrated with this group. And I’m sure he knows what needs to change and realizes he needs to find ways to motivate and reach certain types of players. Easier said than done. But that’s the job.
We’ll hope to enjoy whatever remaining hockey we get this year but when someone shows you who they are, you should usually believe them. Otherwise, you’re just being taken advantage of. Here’s to hoping they finally look in the mirror this week and care enough to not let their season end on a note like today’s.
We’re locked in as the #7 overall seed and will likely play Denver, QU, or OSU. I don’t know much about this OSU team but if it’s one of the first two on the list, they’re definitely going to show up and make you earn it. No more taking the ice expecting to win on talent alone. But they should have already known that by this part of the season.
Mike
Oh, I almost forgot to express my soecial appteciation for BU Hockey team’s graduading seniors after playing their last game in Boston.
Big thanks to Ryan Green, Jack Page, Jack Hughes, Matt Copponi, Mathieu Caron, Tristan Amonte, Billy Girard IV, Btendan Engum !!!
Given Jay’s postgame comments, and Mike’s comments here, there is not much else that can be said. 🤮PSD
Well Mike you’re right on about everything that happened in this game except paying $65 for parking Park out of town and take the Green Line next time like the kids and I do. The old Mr. Hyde raised his ugly head again this afternoon ( maybe the ambiance had something to do with it, a sparce opening game crowd, too many Maine and UCONN shirts around, much different than the rowdy crowd at Agannis that seemed to keep then in in vs UMASS. An opening goal and then really nothing from the Terriers, turnovers in the D zone, players left uncovered in front of the net, breakaways givin up and just as you say a lack of determination to win. UCONN outhustled and outskated us all night. 14 shots thru 2 periods illustrates this, you don’t get shots and chances if you don’t skate. When BU finally woke up late in the 3rd period it was too late and a bit of bad luck, a terrific effort by Harvey but then he fanned on an open net, a post hit , and a great one timer by Eiserman that their goalie make a key stop on early in the 3rd period. Big Mike was ok and could not be faulted on the goals except maybe UCONNs 3rd by Muldowney which he shot from a very sharp angle on the backhand. Yegorov seemed to give up on in and just waved at it. Well still one more trophy to play for but its most unlikely to happen since the competition just gets more difficult and BU doesn’t seem to have the determination or enough talent to play for a Nat’l title.
that was pathetic! spiritless and disjointed.
No exxuse for what happen that was a ass kicking 60 mins… YET again most of u guys come here bash and bash which tonight u have every right too but I wasn’t seeing half the comments when we were on a roll winning few games.. U know who u are … IF u come on when they lose come on when they win also it’s looks better in case u didn’t know.. THat said on to ncaa … go BU
I mean, if we’re keeping score, I’ve commented on game
recaps of 6 wins and 8 losses, so, you know, pretty even 😉
Mike
Here is a little stat that is telling
BU blocks 12 shots last night
Northeastern – the 9th seed – blocked over 42 against Maine. I know it went into ot but…
That was the third straight playoff game that NU blocked over 20 shots a game
That is called effort. That is called caring. That is called commitment to winning
Hard to sugar coat that weak-ass effort when the facts tell a different story.
This …. Pathetic
OK Vinnie, kudos to NU for knocking out BC ( BTW go read BC hockey interruption comments after loss to NU. TALK ABOUT BASHING? 50 comments on how bad BC is and played and their ranked #1 in the nation at the time!) NU us very tough to play against because the are tough and play a very physical game and wear you down. They are well drilled by Keefe in that defensive style. Let’s face it that have to play that way. They have limited talent
Wow that was tough to watch. I feel for the guys. They have worked so hard since the end of last season to put themselves in position to win trophies one of which is hockey East. We did not play well from the jump and we got caught flat footed on several occasions but never did we quit.
I can’t fathom how this is the bu blog and the same people only come on to bash the players after a loss. It’s not just this year it’s every year and although the current thread does not call out individuals I’m sure it is to come in future threads. I was sitting with a former terrier last night that this group tortured after every game a few years back he went on to play professional hockey. When I talk to Otter I always joke about how so many of you said he would never make it in pro hockey and how you called for a goalie change that was comical. So many of you give up on this team year in and year out . I have said this before but if you give up so easy doesn’t it cheapen the feeling of victory when we win.
Coach is around these guys all the time he knows what the culture is. I understand he’s frustrated and he needs to get his players going our leadership group will do the same that’s on them but you can never say we quit not once this year. It’s not helpful for our fans to come on here and knock the players character we all know what they did wrong last night coach will work on it . I’m sure everyone is frustrated with inconsistent play but it’s not from a lack of trying the effort is there it’s just not gelling to consistent success but I’m not giving up now I have never before I have faith in all these kids in the coaching staff and athletic departments I’m not a fair weather fan I climb the mountain or I go down with the ship. I believe we have more hockey to play and I just want the team who hopefully skips over the comments to know you can do it you are a very good hockey team keep working hard listen to coach in times like this keep the game simple start with a shift win that then win the period then the game . If a guy makes a mistake be in position to cover keep the feet moving get to the dirty areas and most of all ignore the part time fans that don’t know how hard you work daily to make bu hockey what it is in college hockey. At the end of the day they don’t know there ass from there elbow when it comes to you guys and your character now go get it done go bu 🐾
Colin
same old BS – zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Yes vinnie same story you bash the program kids , coaches and I stick up for them. If the team finishes unsuccessful you claim you are a cross between Nostradamus and Scotty Bowmen if the team wins you act like you are the biggest fan . It’s called a fair weather fan. No comeback by you can ever affect me when it comes to this team because all my passion is towards bu hockey it’s what I think about when I wake up in the morning till when I go to bed so when you attack you need to realize I’m loyal to the program and I will attack back . If anything else dealing with your foolishness takes my mind off of a tough game last night but don’t you get your panties in a bunch this team will be ready NCAA time .
Hey Colin fans are not “part time” if they critique the team after every game honestly win or lose and call them out when it appears the effort is not there or the desire or whatever is missing that leads to underachievement. Personally I think the team was good enough to win the HE crown especially after BC was eliminated and sure uts difficult because all the teams are good in HE and you must be at your best to win., it’s on the players and the coaches. Also IMO all of those commentating on this blog have been objective in their assessment of the Terriers performance in all games this year. It’s because we all love the team and want them to succeed that we do this. Otherwise we wouldn’t even bother to watch them or comment. The BU community at large should give them the attention that we here all give them. How come after every game there are 50 people commentating on the BC interruption blog and only ten or at most 15 on the BHB after a Terriers game?
Vito you can criticize the play of the team the problem for years is folks come on and make it personal attack the players character etc in some cases it gets carried away so I step in to defend my team . Roy brings up a good point why do certain folks only come on to bash the team. I never lie if a player came up to me today I would tell them we played awful the fact of the matter is they know me and probably would tell me that first . They are all such nice kids I just get protective of them because I believe some on this blog could care less about them or the program only care when we win and only speak when we loose .
The one positive takeaway was Pandolfo’s no bs assessment of the team deciding to not show up.
I’m encouraged by someone taking responsibility for another self-inflicted loss. It was Yale-eqsue.
I hope the coin flips the other way in the regionals. If it does, it’ll be because he’ll have gone full Herb Brooks on this squad in the meantime. Sounds like he was already there in the presser. Get em JP.
Also, valid criticism of an objectively poor performance is hardly a “personal attack”. Get real dude.
ALSO! omg — $65 for parking is unreal.
Take a look at Cornell. Not much talent. Nobody going to NHL. They play a smart defensive game and win. They do it over and over again. It’s the system , and we should learn from it.
Huge win for them tonight.