BU Survives Sloppy Game; Wins in OT : College Hockey News

March 17, 2023
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Rallied After Being Shaken by Scary Injury to Defensive Leader

by Jashvina Shah/Staff Writer (@icehockeystick)

(photo: Matt Dewkett)

BOSTON — With regulation time ticking down, Friday’s Hockey East semifinal game seemed out of reach for the Terriers. They were not just trailing 1-0 to Providence, but had been stymied all night, and played sloppy at best. The first period, they had two shots. There weren’t many more after that.

And they had just watched senior defenseman Case McCarthy, a heart and soul player, stretchered off the ice after slamming into the end boards on a hit that echoed across the TD Garden.

Following the game, Pandolfo said that McCarthy was able to move all extremities and was transported to a local hospital. The Boston Hockey Blog reported that McCarthy broke his collarbone.

While that’s bad enough, in the moment, it seemed like it could be even scarier. It was after that lull, that Providence scored the go-ahead goal.

“We make a lot plays off the rush and through the neutral zone and Providence does a really good job playing 1-2-2, five guys back a lot,” BU coach Jay Pandolfo said. “We were stubborn at times and it’s something we talk about as a team. Our puck management has to be better. It wasn’t great early.”

In desperation mode, BU finally started stringing together chances as regulation wound down.

The Terriers found the equalizer when Dylan Peterson scored two and a half minutes left.

In overtime, BU, which has been long-assured an NCAA Tournament bid, seemed more at ease. The Terriers drew a penalty, and although they didn’t score, they got energy off of it.

And then Luke Tuch set up Quinn Hutson with a beautiful pass from the corner, and Hutson buried it for the game winner.

“The guys stuck together. They got themselves together on the bench and talked about it,” Pandolfo said about the moments after McCarthy’s injury. “They wanted to win for Case. Like I said earlier, it’s always difficult to see that, but when you see something like you that and you see that he’s OK, he gave a thumbs up … I think that mobilizes the team that he’s going to be OK. … Credit to our leaders, they got the group together.”

The win means BU will advance to the Hockey East championship Saturday and that the Terriers have a chance at a No. 1 seed in Regional play. However, BU’s overall play raises questions about if the…