The UConn men’s hockey team was set for a tall task, facing the No. 2 team in the country at Boston University this weekend. In their home-and-home series, UConn dropped both games to BU.
On Friday at the Toscano Family Ice Forum, the Huskies did not have the best start, which allowed Boston University to get ahead early. The Terriers capitalized on two odd-man rush to jump to a 2-0 lead in the first period. UConn attempted to respond late in the period as they created multiple offensive changes. However, BU goaltender Mathieu Caron kept the Huskies scoreless in the first period.
In the second period, the Huskies cut the Terriers lead to one. Sophomore Samu Salminen scored a goal off the rebound of a shot by sophomore Jake Percival. Not too long after, Boston University scored on two power-play goals to take a three-goal lead going into the period break 4-1.
The third period was full of penalties. Both teams combined for 11 total penalties in the one period alone. The Huskies struggled on offense for the rest of the game and could not find the net again. On the other hand, Boston University did not slow and went on to score two more goals in the period. The Terriers took the 6-1 lead. Boston University added pressure and blanked the Huskies in the game’s final period. The Terriers came away with the 6-1 victory in Storrs.
The Ice Bus would have a quick turnaround to go play the No. 2 Terriers in Boston for the last game of their home-and-home series.
The first period between UConn and Boston University was a battle. Early in the first period, the Terriers found the back of the net, but the Huskies would win a coach’s challenge, and the referee overturned the goal for an offsides call. But, towards the end of the period, Boston University was the first to hit the scoreboard with a goal on a wrap-around attempt by senior Luke Tuch to give them the 1-0 lead. UConn headed into the period breaking down one goal.
Boston University extended their lead in the second period. Sophomore Jeremy Wilmer was able to skate from the blue line to launch a shot past senior goaltender Ethan Haider. UConn had many chances to get on the board and cut the Terrier’s lead in the second period, but goaltender Mathieu Caron blanked them. Boston University headed into the period break with a 2-0 lead over UConn.
In the third period, the Terriers put the game out of reach for the Huskies. Freshman Macklin Celebrini, sophomore Quinn Hutson and senior Nick Zabaneh all scored in the period to give Boston University the 5-0 lead. UConn made a goal change to subsitute senior Matt Pasquale for Haider with six minutes remaining in the game. The Terriers went on to seal the 6-0 win and the sweep of the Huskies in their home and home series.
After this weekend’s series, the Huskies record fell to 12-17-2 overall and 7-13-1 in conference play. UConn will be back in action next weekend to kick off a home-and-home series against Hockey East opponent Northeastern University. They will start in Boston, Massachusetts for a 7 p.m. matchup on Friday, March 1. The matchup can be streamed on NESN. The Huskies will then return home to wrap up the series at Toscano Family Ice Forum for Senior Day. The puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will be available to stream on ESPN+.