Post-Game Reactions: Saturday, October 10

USA- 2 -- BU- 3

The Terriers faced off against the future of hockey Saturday night at Aggannis in their annual match-up against the USA Under-18 team.  Yours truly was out of town, but I have studied up on the game, and I have some reactions for you.


But before that, let's get you set up with all the coverage from around town.  First and foremost, enjoy the game highlights and photos from the game from GoTerriers.  Check out the game recaps from Inside Hockey's WTBU Alum Kevin Edelson,  WTBU Sports, GoTerriers and USCHO.  Also check out the Box Score.  Hell, they even got some love from The Globe!

And now, for the things you need to know.

Raise It To the Rafters

The Terriers hoisted their 2009 National Champions Banner to the roof of Aggannis prior to the start of the game on Saturday night.  Matt Gilroy's parents pulled the string to reveal it to the fans, flanked by the parents of the rest of the '09 seniors.  It fit nicely next to the updated Beanpot Banner, Updated Hockey East Regular Season and Hockey East Tournament Champion Banners, and the Updated N.C.A.A Final Four Banner.  All the trophies were on display again as well, providing a nice tribute to quite possibly the best team in program history.


Bounce Back Game

Shaking off the rust for the Terriers was Adam Krauss.  Although he only faced five shots, Krauss was sharp in the third period, stopping two break-aways along the way to keeping BU securely in the lead to the end.  This must be a huge confidence booster for Krauss, who is looking more and more important while Rollheiser continues to be MIA from the bench as he nurses an injury.


GWG

The game winner came early in this one, with Joe Pereira putting it home with 8 seconds to play in the second period.  Joe P was the beneficiary of a nice pass from Andrew Glass, off a face-off win by Luke Popko, which set up an odd-man rush.  Pereira put home a wrist shot over a defender and over U-18 goaltender Jack Campbell's right shoulder. 


Goal of the Night

The Power Play had it working for BU late in the first, when one of the new kids showed us all that life does go on without Matt Gilroy.  The Terriers showed tremendous puck movement, as Chris Connolly cycled the puck to David Warsofsky, who pushed the puck to the left point to Max Nicastro, who showed excellent patience and vision, finding Connolly down low for a one-timer goal.  The passing was crisp, clean and precise.  Terriers' fans should be excited to see two young players patrolling the top of the zone and making nice plays on the man advantage.


Shooting Gallery, Part 2

For the second straight game, the Terriers' fired a ridiculous number of shots on goal, posting 42 for the game.  By period, the shots went 15, 10, 17.  But yet again, BU only managed to sneak through three goals.  Warsofsky and Colby Cohen led the team with six shots apiece, and Kevin Shattenkirk fired five on net.  The blue-liners shot the puck a total of 19 times.  The goals will come for this team, and it's good to see the defenders playing aggressive and jumping into the play.


On the Other Hand...

The Terriers surrendered just 16 shots to the Baby Olympians.  Now if only they could keep the puck out of the net...


2 for 2

Nick Bonino scored a pretty wrap-around goal on a pass from Zach Cohen and Vinny Saponari.  That's Nick's second goal in the Terriers' first two pre-season contests.  I'm giddy about a full season of Bonino as the primary goal-scorer on this team.  It should be a monster season for the center anchoring the front line.  It's just going to be disappointing when he uses the success to go flying into the NHL.


Future Terriers

Two 2010 IceDogs skated for the U-18's in this one.  Matt Nieto assisted on USA's first goal, but finished the night -1.  Defenseman Adam Clendening also finished the game -1. 


Fake Hockey is Over

Finally, the Terriers will play a real game on Friday night in Amherst.  We'll have the full low down on the Minutemen as game time gets a bit closer.