By Meredith Perri/DFP Staff
AMHERST — David Quinn had one word to describe Friday’s matchup between the Boston University and University of Massachusetts men’s hockey teams – disappointing.
The first-year head coach of the Terriers (8-14-3, 3-8-2 Hockey East), used the word seven times in about a three minutes span after the contest at the Mullins Center. Quinn was disappointed with the way things ended, disappointed with not getting an explanation on a waved off goal call and disappointed because he liked the effort he saw from his team.
“I thought our guys deserved a better fate,” Quinn said. “I thought we played hard. I thought we did a lot of good things.”
Minuses
The Terriers amassed eight penalties during Friday’s game against the Minutemen (7-16-4, 3-8-3 Hockey East), a number double the amount that Quinn has said he wants to see during games.
The most egregious penalty, though, came just over a minute into the third. BU had 5-on-3 advantage and a 2-1 lead after UMass’ Colin Shea was called for boarding with seven seconds left in the second period, and Oleg Yevenko went to the box for interference 37 seconds into the third. Instead of capitalizing on the opportunity, though, BU gave it away less than a minute later when junior forward Evan Rodrigues went to the box for hooking.
“We had the 5-on-3 and we don’t do anything with it,” Quinn said. “We take a penalty with the 5-on-3. We’ve got to be better in that situation. … That’s just inexcusable. Inexcusable.”
BU killed off the penalty, but, especially what happened later in the period, a strong 5-on-3 would have changed the complexion of Friday’s game.
A few fateful minutes
While never holding the advantage in shots, the Terriers did hold onto a 3-1 lead into the second half of the third period. According to Quinn, though, that lead should have sat at 4-1 and the Minutemen’s second goal should never have gotten on the board.
From the perspective of those watching the game on NBC, it looked as though Mastalerz had crossed the goal line before the goal came off its pegs.
“I had about 15 text messages when I got done with the game about how this should have been a goal,” Quinn said. “It’s disappointing, and I got no explanation on why the goal was waved off. So disappointing.”
Pluses
Sophomore defenseman Ahti Oksanen is becoming known for his slap shot, something he usually displays while the Terriers are on the power play. Friday night, though, Oksanen registered just his fifth full-strength point of the year on one of the most cohesive plays of the night by the Terriers.
Freshman wing Nick Roberto went hard to the net, creating an open area for the resulting play. Junior center Cason Hohmann picked up the puck and sent a drop pass back to Oksanen.
“There’s deception in the play because the defender doesn’t know what [Hohmann’s] going to do,” Quinn said. “He actually makes a drop pass as he’s moving feet and Ahti just rips it.”
O’Connor’s return
While he did not pick up the win, sophomore netminder Matt O’Connor played well enough to secure a starting spot in goal for the Beanpot on Monday.
O’Connor, who had not started a game since giving up four goals in about 16 minutes against the University of Maine at Frozen Fenway, stopped 46 shots during the contest.
So who will DQ bench for taking stupid penalties? Or will he go back on his word thus setting a bad, long term precedent for the team?
Oh Lord, you’re back?
UMASS is a trap team. How did they get 40+ shots on us? Is there a problem with the offensive and defensive schemes we use that allowed this impossible shot total to occur?
Hohmann, Grizz, O’Reagan, Rodrigues, OC, Maguire, and Noonan have all regressed from Parker to DQ. The only player who might have gotten better is Ahti. Imagine how good this team would be if Parker were still coaching it.
Pretty funny hearing this drivel from the guest-troll who last season railed about JP after every game. Funny, but to be expected from this inane scold from up the block.
The Boston Globe reported that Parker is giving the team a pep talk prior to the game to get them motivated. Go Jack!
Shouldn’t Quinn be the one to get them fired up?
Win one for Jackie P…
We are 46th on the PairWise ranking. Get ready to shock the world tonight.