One Hockey East team earned two wins this weekend and that’s the Boston University Terriers. They lead my list of three things I learned this weekend:
1. Terriers beginning to fill offensive gaps: They may have lost some of their top scorers, but the Boston University Terriers seem like one of Hockey East’s hottest teams. Both wins this weekend were comebacks, rallying from two goals down after one in both games. Friday seemed a little easier, scoring four straight to beat Northeastern, 4-3. Saturday’s was hardly as simply as BU scored twice in the third and then won the game on Garrett Noonan’s overtime game-winner. Most importantly, BU got goals from Wade Megan, Chris Connolly and Noonan, all on head coach Jack Parker’s list of players who need to step up to replace Corey Trivino and Charlie Coyle.
2. Goaltending gets more confusing for BC: For a while this season, there was a wonder if anyone besides Parker Milner would see the net. Then Milner’s struggles led to Brian Billett getting a chance. He played well but struggled this past Friday at Massachusetts, prompting head coach Jerry York to play Chris Venti, a hard-working senior practice goaltender-turned started. Venti turned aside 14 of 15 shots to earn a win at Fenway Park. Suddenly, York and the Eagles – a team that for most of the last decade-and-a-half has enjoyed being a one-goalie club – will have the nightly decision of which of the three netminders to play.
3. Is Merrimack back? The Merrimack Warriors entered last weekend 2-4-3 in its last 9 and many wondering if this was a team that deserved its national ranking. Hosting Maine, arguably the hottest team in Hockey East entered the series 8-1-0 in its last nine. But it was Merrimack that controlled the weekend, taking three points on a dominating victory on Friday and a comeback tie on Saturday. Merrimack will face another test this weekend coming up having to play New Hampshire, fresh off two victories, next weekend.
