Game Statistics

Senior Mike Pandolfo (Burlington) became the 72nd player in Boston University hockey history to reach the 100-point mark for his career as he helped lead the host Terriers to a 4-2 win over the University of Massachusetts in Hockey East action on Friday night (February 8th).

The victory, in front of 2928 fans at Walter Brown Arena, improved B.U.'s overall record to 18-7-2 and 11-5-2 in the league. The Terriers' 24 league points moved them into second place in the league standings, one point ahead of third-place University of Maine, which lost to Boston College, 4-3. In addition, the Terriers, who are in action next on Monday night when they play Northeastern in the finals of the Beanpot, are just one point behind league-leading University of New Hampshire. In the meantime, UMass slipped to 8-18-1 overall and 3-13-1 in the league.

Pandolfo, who was playing in his 140th game as a Terrier, notched his 100th point at 14:11 of the second period when he assisted on a goal by sophomore Mark Mullen (Dorchester). It was the 40th assist of his career.

"I could see both Mark and Brian (Collins) in front," said Pandolfo, who was behind the UMass net. "So, I just tried to get the puck out front."

It was Mullen, who collected the puck in the slot and beat UMass goalie Mike Johnson, while Collins (Shrewsbury) earned the second assist.

"It's nice to get that 100th point," Pandolfo said after the game. "I knew coming into the season that I was close (He had 69 points.), but I was more concerned with helping to turn the team around after last year's disappointing season. I knew that if we were better, I would have a chance for the 100 points.

"Now that I have it out of the way, I want to concentrate on the rest of the season." Earlier in the period, at the 3:58 mark, Pandolfo scored his 60th career goal to tie the game, 2-2. Junior Freddy Meyer (Sanbornville, NH) sent Pandolfo in on a nifty rink-wide pass. Freshman Bryan Miller (Wayne, NJ) set up the play by getting the puck up to Meyer, who in turn sent Pandolfo in on the right wing and his shot beat Johnson.

"It is amazing how much Mike has improved during his four years here," Terrier head coach Jack Parker said after the game. "He has gotten better each year, and he is a very valuable player for us because of everything he does for us. He is a great penalty killer, he plays on the power play, and he is on our first line."

For the 16th time in 27 games this year, the Terriers had to come from behind as UMass drew first blood. Greg Mauldin took advantage of a turnover behind the Terrier net to beat senior Jason Tapp (Kelowna, BC), who was making his first start in the Terrier net since January 6th. Mauldin's goal came at 11:59.

B.U. drew even at 14:37 of the period as Brian McConnell (Norfolk) converted on the Terrier power play when his shot beat Minuteman goalie Mike Johnson (26 saves). Senior Chris Dyment (Reading) started the play with a pass from the right point down low to senior Jack Baker (South Boston). Baker passed the puck over to McConnell, who was in the slot, and his shot beat Johnson.

The first period ended with the score tied, 1-1, despite the Terriers outshooting the Minutemen by a 14-5 margin.

The second period belonged to B.U., as it outscored the visitors, 3-1, despite being outshot by a 10-8 margin.

After Mauldin scored his second goal of the game at 1:16 of the second period to give UMass a 2-1 lead, Pandolfo, Mullen, and Baker tallied for the Terriers. Baker's insurance goal came at 17:08 of the period, as he took a pass from Miller. With virtually no angle to shoot at as he was on the goal line, Baker fired on Johnson and it went through the five hole.

"We came to play tonight," Parker said in summing up the game. "We did a great job in the first and third periods. We did a nice job moving the puck on the power play, and we killed of their two power play chances.

"I thought our first line of Pandolfo, Collins, and Mullen played a terrific game," said the coach. "I also thought that (freshman Ryan) Whitney (Scituate) and Miller played two of their better games tonight, and it was nice to see Tapp play well. He didn't face many shots, but he came up with a couple of nice saves."

On the down side, sophomore Frantisek Skladany (Martin, Slovakia) suffered a twisted right ankle, and the extent of the injury won't be known until Saturday (February 9th). It is the third straight game a B.U. regular has suffered an injury that could force him to the sidelines. Last Friday night (February 1st) at Merrimack, senior Pat Aufiero (Winchester) sustained a lacerated tendon above the left ankle, and he is expected to miss three to six weeks of action. Then, in Monday night's win over Boston College in the Beanpot opener, sophomore Gregg Johnson (Windsor,CT) suffered bruised ribs. He missed the UMass game, and it is not certain if he will be back for Monday night's Beanpot title game against Northeastern.