Game Preview: #5 BU Terriers vs. #6 New Hampshire Wildcats

Home ice doesn’t mean a whole lot when BU and the University of New Hampshire face off.

The Terriers and Wildcats have a tendency to step up on the road. While BU has been unable to defeat UNH at Agganis Arena in six chances, they have dominated play at the Whittemore Center, posting an 8-5-5 record all time there. Further, since the 2003-2004 season, the road team is 9-1-4 in the series.

However, the Terriers failed to secure a point at The Whit last season, dropping the one contest they played there.

BU will have a chance to get back on a winning track in Durham, as they visit the sixth ranked Wildcats in a late afternoon game on Sunday.

The Terriers are off to their best start since 2001-2002, and have received offensive contribution from all of their lines. They have already defeated two ranked teams and a conference opponent on the young season, and have every reason to feel confident as a team.

However, it won’t be easy for BU in their first road game of the year, as they will have to contend with a Wildcats team that is also yet to drop a point on the season.

Despite the departure of 2007-2008 Hockey East Player of the Year Goalie Kevin Regan, UNH is off and running out of the gate. After winning 8-4 in an exhibition game against St. Francis Xavier, the Wildcats have settled in nicely, defeating the then #14 Wisconsin Badgers a week ago before beating RPI on Friday.

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise for UNH has been Regan’s replacement, Junior Goaltender Brian Foster. The Florida Panthers draft choice has been outstanding in two starts this season, allowing just one goal over two games. Foster has turned away 47 of the 48 shots he has seen this year.

Foster also has a potentially explosive offense in front of him, headlined by last year’s leading scorer James van Riemsdyk. After posting 34 points in his freshman year, van Riemsdyk has recorded three points in the Wildcats’ first two contests. Van Riemsdyk also put his mark on the Terriers’ season last year with a highlight reel goal through two defenders and a goal-keeper to help the Wildcats defeat BU.

The man attempting to stall van Riemsdyk and the rest of UNH will be Freshman Goalie Grant Rollheiser. “Rollie the Goalie” is currently splitting time with fellow freshman Kieran Millan between the pipes for the Terriers. His turn in the rotation is up, and he has a tough act to follow, as Millan made 23 saves on 25 shots in Friday night’s game.

Rollheiser allowed just one goal in his lone start of the year against Michigan State in a pressure-packed 2-1 BU victory. Every start for the young goalies could be crucial in Coach Jack Parker’s eventual decision for full-time starting goalie.

The solid goaltending has been a tremendous change for BU. To start last season, BU allowed two or more goals in 17 of 18 games, often wasting solid offensive efforts with shoddy goaltending. In their three games this year, the Terriers have been nothing short of stingy, holding their opponents to a total of just four goals.

Seniors Matt Gilroy and Chris Higgins have each recorded six points in their careers against UNH, leading current Terriers in scoring against the Wildcats. Sophomore phenom Colin Wilson also grabbed four points in just three games against UNH last year.