By: Jason Mastrodonato, News Staff
After all the trouble Boston University has given the mens hockey team over the past few seasons, the Huskies will step into Agganis Arena Friday night one game away from ending the Terrier’s season.
Northeastern took 10 penalties but held No. 13 BU to 1-9 on the power play as the Huskies skated to a 4-2 victory in the first leg of the Hockey East quarterfinals Thursday night.
“That was not the type of game I wanted to play,” said head coach Greg Cronin, who was behind the bench for the first time in three weeks after serving a suspension for potential recruiting violations. That’s not a healthy way to win a game. We’re fortunate to dodge a bullet.”
After failing to convert on all 16 power play chances in the two-game series last weekend, Northeastern struck on its first opportunity midway through the opening period. Slick puck movement and a parade of shots on BU goalie Kieran Millan led to a rebound chance for senior forward Steve Silva, who found the net for his third straight game.
Less than a minute later, BU countered on a wrap-around attempt that left the puck bouncing around in front of sophomore goalie Chris Rawlings, and Justin Courtnall was able to poke it through and even the score.
Senior forward Wade MacLeod scored his team-leading 19th goal of the season to send the Huskies into the locker room with a 2-1 lead.
The second period was all Northeastern, as freshman forward Braden Pimm outskated two BU defenders to pot a breakaway goal, and minutes later, Silva used a crafty spin move to break free and send a wrister top-shelf that gave the Huskies a three-goal lead heading into the final frame.
The Terriers battled in the third period, outshooting NU 15-7, but Rawlings stood the test and made 37 saves on the night.
“We got beat by a team that was more determined and more hungry than we were,” said BU coach Jack Parker.
With a win on Friday, Northeastern will punch its ticket to the Hockey East semifinals. With a loss, the Huskies will play for it all on Sunday.
