Kieran Millan has been a great goaltender for the Boston University Terriers. In his freshman season of 2009, Millan set numerous school and Hockey East records as part of the backbone of the Terriers national championship run. That is why it comes a surprise that Millan had not recorded a shutout since that season.
That streak came to an end on Saturday night with BU’s 1-0 victory over the Providence College Friars. Millan stopped all 32 shots he faced, while Joe Pereira was credited with the lone goal of the contest.
“It was great [about Millan’s shutout],” said Pereira after the win. “He’s our guy and works really hard for us. The way he’s been playing, it’s great to reward him.”
The win for the Terriers came from an all-around effort. The Terriers took only two penalties in the game.
“Everybody was there for us,” said BU coach Jack Parker. “It’s been disappointing. We’ve had it [a shutout for Millan] a few times and given it up by taking bad penalties or not playing a full 60 minutes.”
Pereira’s goal came at the 1:55 mark of the second period, but at the time, the goal was originally given to Corey Trivino. The power-play goal came after a redirected shot in front bounced around on the ice and ultimately sneaked over the goal line.
“The puck was bouncing around on the ice,” said Pereira. “It caught my stick and then went into the net.”
“We just simply didn’t get the bounces,” said Providence coach Tim Army. “We worked really hard. I’m proud of our effort. Providence College always seems to play BU in close games. We just didn’t get the bounces.”
The Friars have made it a habit of playing a physical brand of hockey that has kept them close in a lot of games this season. Last week, the Friars skated with Boston College, trailing 1-0 until an empty-net goal made it a 2-0 for the Eagles.
In fact, all three meetings this season with the Terriers, all won by BU, were one-goal games. Last night’s game was a 2-1 final in Boston, as was the October 23 tilt.
“They play a lot of teams close,” said Parker. “If they get into the playoffs, they will be a team to be reckoned with.”
With the contest being the back end of a home-and-home series, Providence was looking to stop a 10-game winless stretch that went back to December 11 against Quinnipiac, a stretch that had seen them earn only two points in 11 games.
“There are eight points up for grabs over the next two weeks,” added Army. “We’re not out of it yet.”
PC has played relatively well at home this season, 4-4-3, considering their 7-16-7 overall record this season. It also seemed like a good opportunity for the ninth place Friars, as the Terriers were 6-4-2 this season on the road entering tonight’s game.
