The No. 6 Boston University men’s hockey team (2-2-0, 0-1-0 HE) proved itself in a must-win game Saturday night at Compton Family Ice Arena, pummeling the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-3-0) by a score of 8-2. Freshman forwards Macklin Celebrini and Shane Lachance both scored two goals apiece en route to the team’s first regulation win of the season.
“I liked our response from our group. Clearly last night, not at our best,” BU head coach Jay Pandolfo said postgame. “We played fast, we moved the puck quick up ice, got on the attack, good on the forecheck, good getting to the net, so that was the big reason why we had success.”
In the absence of star sophomore defenseman Lane Hutson and senior defenseman Cade Webber due to injury, the Terriers had to rally around a depleted leadership and defensive group. The pair remain day-to-day and will be re-evaluated next week, according to Pandolfo.
However, BU dug deep and put on a show in the opening 20 minutes, scoring five goals.
“Those guys are key guys, and it sucks not having them in the lineup,” M. Celebrini said. “But I feel like as a group we needed that … just to rally as a team and really put that one forward.”
With limited options on the left side, the defensive pairs were shaken up. BU captain Case McCarthy followed freshman Aiden Celebrini’s suit and played on his off-side while junior defenseman Jack Page drew into the lineup for the first time since January.
“I think everyone stepped up,” Pandolfo said. “It was great to see some of the younger guys step in there and get an opportunity to get a little more ice time, and they handled it very well.”
In similar fashion to every other game this season, the Terriers started off on the right foot — opening the scoring in their fourth straight game. Sophomore forward Quinn Hutson picked up right where he left off the night before and scored his first of the season at 3:40.
But the difference Saturday was that BU sustained that momentum through the entire 60 minutes.
Celebrini made it 2-0 at 4:44 with a highlight-reel goal. Weaving through four Irish players in the right circle, the first-year phenom sent it past graduate goaltender Ryan Bischel’s glove for his fourth tuck of the season.
Less than a minute later, the Irish cut the lead in half with a goal from graduate defender Ryan Siedem. With the Irish regaining some momentum, it felt like the start of similar unravelings from recent losses, but Saturday’s Terriers did not let the goal bog them down.
Senior forward Dylan Peterson kept BU’s offense going to make it 3-1 shortly after. Playing catch with sophomore forward Jeremy Wilmer, Peterson ripped the rubber past Bischel at 6:14 — scoring the eventual game-winner.
“We can see how good we can be if we put together a full 60 minutes,” Lachance said.
Tuch emphasized how important it was for the veteran guys to step up this weekend, and they did just that. The assistant captain broke up a near Notre Dame scoring chance and picked up one of the more memorable goals of the first frame at 7:36 to make it 4-1.
With all five BU players below the goal line, senior defenseman Zach Plucinski was all alone in front of junior goaltender Mathieu Caron until Tuch poked the puck away. On a two-on-one with M. Celebrini, Tuch had no intention of passing and went high glove on Bischel for his second of the season.
Lachance rounded out the first-period scoring with his first collegiate goal at 9:31. On a perfect tip-in from freshman defenseman Gavin McCarthy’s initial shot, Lachance made it 5-1.
“Our D knows that they just get it anywhere in the vicinity of [Lachance’s] stick, and he’s pretty good at tipping it,” Pandolfo said. “That’s what he does. He gets in front of the goalie and causes havoc.”
BU ended the opening frame dominating in shots on goal 22-6.
Sophomore goaltender Jack Williams took over in net for Bischel to start the middle frame, and the Terriers kept their offense pouring.
Lachance scored his second of the game on a two-on-one with graduate forward Sam Stevens to make it 6-1 at 2:31.
Soon after, freshman defender Aiden Celebrini joined in on the fun for his first collegiate goal. His shot from the blue line at 3:32 of the second was BU’s 30th shot of the night.
“Right when I saw it go in I was super excited for him,” M. Celebrini said. “Just seeing him get his first one was pretty special.”
The struggling Terrier man advantage converted its second goal of the season at 6:19 of the middle frame to make it 8-1. The first unit broke through with M. Celebrini’s second of the night, assisted by Lachance and freshman defenseman Tom Willander.
“I was pretty lucky to be set up by two pretty good players,” M. Celebrini said. “They gave me enough space and time, and they got me the puck, so I’m just fortunate enough to play with some good players.”
Although he did not face much through the first 40 minutes, Caron held things down in the third with the Irish trying to get back into it.
Outside of Notre Dame’s lone tally off a turnover from freshmen defender Mick Frechette at 6:04 of the third, Caron had one of his most consistent periods as a Terrier.
“He was unbelievable. He looked real calm,” Lachance said. “It’s tough to stay in those games for a goalie — not getting too many shots — but when he was called upon he was great for us.”
BU surpassed the 50-shot mark by the final horn, edging the Irish by 20 shots.
The Terriers needed to come away with a win this weekend, and their response tonight was a total group effort.
For the first time this weekend, passes were connecting, players were sacrificing their bodies, veterans were stepping up — and most importantly — pucks were finding the back of the net.
“The way we started, I think we’re all probably second guessing ourselves a little bit,” Pandolfo said. “So for us to respond the way we did tonight, and see how we’re capable of playing, hopefully we build off it.”
BU heads into next weekend’s home opener with newfound confidence, proving why so many ranked them No. 1 in the preseason polls. They will face a hungry UMass Amherst team who has already surpassed expectations, but the Terriers’ large freshman class is excited for the challenge.
“It was nice to get that U18 game under my belt,” Lachance said. “It wasn’t a regular-season game, but it was nice to get a little experience in front of the crowd. I know the place will be rocking.”
BU will return to conference play next weekend in a home-and-home against the UMass Amherst Minutemen. The Terriers will open their home schedule on Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at Agganis Arena, followed by a 7 p.m. away matchup on Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Mullins Center.
The Boston Hockey Blog will have full coverage of the games, so be sure to follow along on Twitter (X) @BOShockeyblog and Instagram @boston.hockey.blog.
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