Terriers top the Eagles in a thriller, 5-3

Terriers earned their second come-from-behind win against a quality opponent with three unanswered goals to defeat BC, 5-3, at a sold-out Conte Forum. Senior assistant captain Evan Rodrigues (photo below) scored twice, including the game-winner, as BU Coach David Quinn gained his first win over the arch-rival Eagles. BU is now 5-1 overall with a 3-1 mark in the conference.

After a scoreless and even first period, BC grabbed the lead in the second when Chris Calnan converted a rebound after netminder Matt O'Connor made three initial saves. Rodrigues' first, on a backhander following a deke, knotted the score at one apiece, but the Eagles regained the lead when Ryan Fitzgerald scored on an odd-man rush late in the second period.

In a wild third period that saw four goals for BU and one for BC, the Terriers first drew even on a Mike Moran goal. Fitzgerald score again on a short-hander, but once again BU tied the score when Jack Eichel deflected home a Brandon Hickey one-timer set up by Brandon Fortunato. E-Rod's second goal, a wrap-around that connected with two Eagles before sliding into the corner of the net, gave BU its first lead. Then, Nik Olsson, who assisted on BU's first goal, closed the scoring by lifting a shot over a diving BC defender and into an empty net.

O'Connor stopped 27 shots en route to his fourth win against one loss.Rodrigues was named the game's first star with Hickey earning the third star.

► Quinn’s first win against BC, like Jack Parker’s final one—in the 2013 Hockey East semifinal (video)—was nationally broadcast on NBC Sports Network. And Rodrigues scored twice that night, too. Former BU Coach Parker, who was in attendance at the game, had a 78-65-12 (.542) record in games against the Eagles.

Terrier Take-Away: We’re introducing a new feature with blog readers offering observations on the most recent game. The first entry comes from Five Hole Terrier:

□ No quit.  After being down a goal three times in very hostile environment, the Terriers fought and clawed their way back for a very gutsy win. They played with determination and confidence when down. Very mature play for a big group of freshmen. BU’s second third-period comeback against a tough opponent.

□ BU did not play its best game, making too many mistakes (including a tough give-away for a BC short-hander).  And they had a tough time in the neutral zone for most of the game; credit BC for a good job there.  Rodrigues missing a wide open net on a perfect feed from Eichel before his heroics.

□ Jack Eichel:  To state the incredibly obvious, he is really good.  Was shut down fairly well (and tried to do a bit too much) in the first and parts of the second.  Had a great third when we needed it most.  Win the third period, win the game as my brother would say. [Note: BU has outscored the opposition 14-1 in the third period this season]

□ Olsson:  really like his game.  Smart.  Makes good plays and hits like a freight train.  Rapidly becoming one of my favorite players. 

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score
● Video highlights (short), (long)

● Post-game comments: Quinn and Rodrigues

● Daily Free Press recap and feature on strong third period

● HockeyEastOnline recap

● USCHO recap

● WEEI College Blog analysis
● Boston Herald recap

Terrier Trivia (as presented on Inside BU Hockey)

Q—Ten seasons ago, the first BU-BC game of the year (2004-05) was a milestone occasion for two reasons. What are those reasons and who scored the game-winner for the Terriers?

A—The game was the final one between BU and BC at sold out Walter Brown Arena and the 3-2 victory was the 700^th in Coach Jack Parker’s career.  Junior center Brad Zancanaro broke a 2-2 tie beating BC’s Matti Kaltianen to glove side. That was the NHL’s lockout season and, as a result, Hall of Fame announcer Mike Emrick called the action (video) for the CBS Sports Network national broadcast of the game.  

Looking ahead

2016 recruit Clayton Keller assisted on three of four Team USA goals in a 4-1 victory over Sweden in the semifinals of the World U17 Challenge. Keller leads all tournament scorers with 13 points and leads the NTDP U17s with a 14-15-29 scoring line in 16 games. Team USA faces Russia in the gold-medal game on Saturday at the RBC Centre in Sarnia, Ont., with puck drop at 7:30 p.m.

2016 recruit Kieffer Bellows scored his fourth goal of the season for Sioux Falls as the Stampede fell in overtime to Cedar Rapids, 5-4.

Looking back

David Warsofsky registered his first point since his call-up from Providence in the Bruins’ 5-2 win against Edmonton on Thursday.

Former BU assistant captain Justin Courtnall scored his first goal of the season on a short-hander as AHL Bridgeport beat Norfolk, 3-1.

Women’s Team

#6 Terriers looking to continue their winning ways in a non-conference game against Yale. Puck drop at Ingalls Rink in New Haven is 3 p.m. Junior Sarah Lefort leads BU in scoring with 11 points, while junior Rebecca Russo and freshman Rebecca Leslie each have eight.

● GoTerriers.com preview, Game Notes, Live Stats 

● Daily Free Press preview, 

● Yale Daily News preview