March 17, 2023
Old Issues Plague Providence in Semifinal Loss to BU
by Anthony Travalgia/CHN Reporter (@A_Travalgia)
(photo: Matt Dewkett)
BOSTON Providence got the game it wanted: low-scoring, limited chances allowed and strangely enough, overtime.
For the third straight Hockey East Tournament game, Providence found itself tied at one after regulation. The last two, obviously, were 2-1 OT wins, which go the Friars to the Garden.
“I wouldn’t want to go to overtime against us right now,” Providence coach Nate Leaman said following its victory over Northeastern.
Clearly comfortable with needing overtime to win hockey games, the result this time different than the previous two.
Quinn Hutson’s goal 10:52 into overtime for Boston University ended the Friars’ season. It was a season that started with great promise, but after a tough February, their only path to the NCAA Tournament was through a Hockey East championship.
“I thought we played a really good game, we just couldn’t separate,” Leaman said. “I thought we played really well but that penalty in overtime gave them a lot of momentum. I thought we had momentum up until that point.”
The power play BU had came at 6:02. BU’s goal was just under five minutes later.
Through regulation the Terriers had just 15 shots on goal and very few scoring chances. Boston University picked up the shot pace in overtime, firing 10 shots on Friars’ goalie Phillip Svedeback, five coming on the Terriers’ power play.
“That’s probably the fewest shots for a season that we’ve given up since I’ve been the coach, but the guys kept working, they kept battling,” Leaman said. “I thought we were doing a really good job.”
The Friars’ loss to Boston University perfectly encapsulated its season; they got great goaltending and stellar defense, just couldn’t get enough scoring to win, their biggest issue in a disappointing season.
Although the Friars got the type of game they wanted and executed it nearly perfectly, they had their chances to put the game away early and often.
Simply put, they couldn’t get enough past Drew Commesso.
“We were playing our best hockey these last three games and it just sucks because I know we deserve better than that,” Parker Ford said. “I just can’t say enough good things about the program.”
Thirty-eight shots on goal, three failed power-play…
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