The UMass-Lowell Riverhawks continue the Boston University Terriers woes as they defeated BU 7-1 for their first Hockey East victory (1-2 in Hockey East; 3-3-0 overall) Saturday night. That leaves only Vermont as the lone Hockey East team to pick up a in conference victory.
The Riverhawks got a two goal effort from sophomore Derek Arnold and Doug Carr stopped 15 of the 16 shots he faced.
As for the Boston University Terriers (2-2-1 in Hockey East; 3-3-1 overall) the goaltending issues continue as senior Kieran Millan got pulled after the second period. Could we see more of Grant Rollheiser? According to the Daily Free Press Justin Courtnall assistant captain likes what he sees.
“I think Rollheiser is doing a really good job stepping in,” Courtnall said. “He did a great job last weekend and he’s working extremely hard in practice. He’s being a good teammate. Tonight he showed that even further by stepping in and really stopping the door.”
Rollheiser is 1-0-0 with a 3.61 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage.
Boston College
The Eagles earned a split this weekend as the defeated the Maine Black Bears on Friday night 5-1 with juniors Chris Krieider and Steven Whitney each having a goal and assist. I thought the game against Massachusetts would be a trap game and it was. The Minuteman came away with the 4-2 win on Saturday night. The Eagles are still first in Hockey East with a 6-1-0 record in conference and 8-2-0 overall.
Merrimack
They had a dog fight this weekend with Northeastern. I thought they would lose Friday night, but they earned a 1-1 tie. Saturday night they also needed overtime, but a Ryan Flanigan goal gave the Warriors the 3-2 victory. They are within one point of Boston College for first lace in Hockey East with a 5-0-1 record and a 7-0-1 record overall.
Providence
The Friars got back on track this weekend with a decisive sweep of Vermont of 5-2 and 5-1 on Friday and Saturday. Tim Schaller had a hat trick on Friday and added another goal on Saturday. Nate Leeman continues to ride Alex Beaudry in goal. Providence is in third in the league with a 4-2-0 record and a 4-3-1 record overall.
Maine
As expected, it was a rough weekend for the Black Bears. With the 5-1 loss to the Boston College Eagles Friday and followed by a 3-2 loss to New Hampshire Saturday. In the loss I think Maine has found their number one goalie in Martin Ouellette. He came in and replaced Dan Sullivan on Friday night who gave up four goals. The good news for the Black Bears if the season ended today, they host a Hockey East Quarter-Final series as they are 3-3-0 and 3-4-1 overall. They have won on the road yet this season.
New Hampshire
The Wildcats have finally stopped the ship from going under with a 7-3 win over Massachusetts on Friday and the win against the Black Bears on Saturday. The offense has awaking as they scored ten goals this weekend with nine different goal scores. The are fifth in Hockey East with a record of 3-3-1 and an overall record of 4-4-1.
Massachusetts
The split the weekend, with the disappointment from Friday night against New Hampshire is in the rear view mirror of the win over Boston College Saturday. They continue to get scoring from all lines and that will be needed for the success to continue. Now if they can get four points they can climb up from seventh place in the league (1-4-2 in Hockey East; 2-4-2 overall).
Northeastern
I expected the Huskies to get points this weekend and they did, but a different fashion then I expected them to. They got a tie and an overtime loss against Merrimack. Chris Rawlings continues to keep the Huskies in games with 2.93 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. Despite the numbers the Huskies’ Hockey East and overall record 1-5-2.
Vermont
The Catamounts can’t seem to put it together after getting swept by Providence this weekend. They are getting individual efforts from Connor Brickley, a Florida Panthers prospect who has four goals so far. They sitting in last place in Hockey East with a 0-4-0 record and a 1-5-0 record overall.
Four Stars of the Week
Freshman of the Week: Grayson Downing F (New Hampshire) He had a goal and an assist against UMass on Friday.
Sophomore of the Week: Derek Arnold F (UMass-Lowell) He had two goals in the big win against Boston University
Junior of the Week: Tim Schaller, F (Providence) He had four goals in the two games over the weekend
Senior of the Week: Daniel New D (Providence) He had three assists in the two wins against Vermont.
Predictions: 4-4-1 on the weekend; 18-8-4 on the season