by Tyler Kuehl/CHN Reporter (@tjku29)
The very first game of the NCAA Tournament saw an underdog Ohio State team push around Boston University in the early stages. Unfortunately, the pressure subsided, as did the play of the Buckeyes’ goaltender.
Senior netminder Logan Terness was just five days removed from going save-for-save with Michigan State’s blue-chipper Trey Augustine in the Big Ten Championship Game, ultimately losing in double overtime.
Despite some shaky moments in the first two periods of the Toledo Regional opener, Terness had done enough to keep Ohio State within striking distance of advancing to the national quarterfinals, with the game 3-3 headed into the third period. However, things unraveled in the final period of play when Terness gave up four goals, two of which of the “like to have them back” variety, and one shorthanded, leading to an 8-3 loss.
The North Vancouver native took responsibility after the game.
“It sucks how it ended,” Terness said. “Don’t think any of us saw that coming … a lot of fault on that’s on me. I think, just the third period, I had to step up to make any big saves I needed to and ultimately, we lost as a result.”
Terness’ first slip-up came minutes in the third when BU defenseman Aiden Celebrini scored on a shot from the half-wall, beating the former UConn netminder on the stick side, giving the Terriers their first lead of the game.
After giving up a goal to Jack Hughes, putting BU up by two, Terness was unable to stop a weak backhander from Cole Eiserman from below the goal line, sending the game out of reach.
A Jack Harvey shot that went through Terness’ five-hole was the icing on the cake, with Boston University advancing to the regional final.
Even though the Buckeyes were up against a team with 14 NHL draft picks in their lineup, Terness felt like he needed to have a better game in order to give his team a chance to win.
“They’re good players and make good plays. At the end of the day, I got to come up with some of those saves,” Terness said. “I don’t care if it’s the best chance from the best player in the world, I think I got to make those stops for our team, especially in this big game, and just wasn’t able to today.”
OSU head coach Steve Rohlik was quick to defend his goaltender.
“We…
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