By Mark Fraenkel
Embraced by junior forwards Robert Mastrosimne and Markus Boguslavasky, senior goaltender Drew Commesso left the ice for what could be his final time this season after making 36 saves in a Boston University win.
After senior forward Logan Cockerill’s two goals in Tuesday’s huge win over the University of Massachusetts, the Boston University men’s hockey team (13-10-3, 9-7-3 Hockey East) beat the Providence College Friars (17-10-2, 8-8-1 HE) on Sunday. The Terriers remain hot, as BU last lost in regulation on November 27th to Cornell.
Junior forward Wilmer Skoog opened up the scoring for the Terriers less than 1:30 into the game. Skoog got control of the puck inside of the defensive zone and skated with it all the way down the ice, creating a 2-1 opportunity with Providence’s goaltender Jaxson Stauber.
Later in the first period, Junior forward Ethan Phillips continued his goal streak, scoring with just under seven minutes to go in the period. The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia native has now scored goals in his last three games.
After a strong period from the Friars, right wing Patrick Moynihan opened up the scoring for Providence with 5:30 left in the second period. The New Jersey Devils prospect’s goal was assisted by Davis Bunz and New York Rangers prospect Brett Berard.
Off an offensive zone faceoff almost six minutes into the third period, Wilmer Skoog netted his second goal of the game. His two goals in Sunday’s game give him eight goals on the season.
Speaking about his goal in the post game press conference, Skoog said that he saw that the Providence defensive set up seemed off so he “gave it a try.”
About one minute later, junior defenseman Domenick Fensore added another goal off of an offensive zone faceoff. He was assisted by fellow junior Jay O’Brien.
After a too many men on the ice penalty with just less than nine minutes to play, Providence responded on the power play. Sophomore left wing Nick Poisson’s goal made it a 4-2 game.
Post game, Head Coach Albie O’Connell acknowledged that the referees made the correct call on the penalty.
“Live it didn’t look like there [were too many men]. But it was the right call,” he said.
With under two minutes to play, Jay O’Brien added an empty net goal to give the Terriers a 5-2 lead. The Hingham, Massachusetts native and former Providence Friar now has six goals on the season.
BU had quality chances all game, despite shooting fewer times than Providence. The Friars outshot the Terriers 38-25.
The Terriers now move into third place in Hockey East. With 29 points, BU trails the second place University of Massachusetts Minutemen by two points. The University of Massachusetts-Lowell Riverhawks lead Hockey East with 35 points.
BU hosts Maine next Friday night before playing Harvard in the first round of the Beanpot a week from Monday. O’Connell said he isn’t concerned about BU overlooking Maine before the Beanpot.
“These guys are excited to play,” O’Connell said. “And they feel good about what they’re doing.”