Four-goal Outburst Lifts Terrier Hockey Team Past Rensselaer
October 11, 2003 | Men's Ice Hockey
BOSTON, MA-The Boston University hockey team exploded for four second-period goals en route to a 5-2 win over visiting Rensselaer on Saturday night in the season-opener for both teams.
A Walter Brown Arena crowd of 3406 was on hand to see the Terriers improve to 13-2 in their last 15 season openers. In addition, in the 83-year history of intercollegiate hockey at B.U., the Terriers are 57-19-7 in season-openers.
After a scoreless first period, the Terriers got on the scoreboard at 4:22 of the second period on a goal by Gregg Johnson with assists to Ken Magowan and Eric Thomassian. Just 59 seconds later, at 5:21, Matt Radoslovich made it 2-0, as he was assisted by David Klema and John Laliberte.
Before the period was over David Van der Gulik (9:58) and Klema (16:04) also tallied for the victors. Ryan Whitney and Steve Greeley assisted on Van der Gulik's goal, while the assists on Klema's goal went to Radoslovich and Laliberte.
The Engineers managed to score just once in the period and that came off the stick of Scott Basiuk at 10:24. Alexander Valent and Tommy Green each picked up assists on the goal.
The two teams exchanged goals in the third period. Rensselaer's Ben Barr scored at 7:26 to cut the Terriers' lead in half, 4-2. However, Kenny Roche got that goal back for the Terriers at 15:11. Matt Hammarstrom picked up the assist on Barr's goal, while Brad Zancanaro and Frantisek Skladany assisted Roche.
After being outshot, 10-9, in the first period, the Terriers went on to outshoot the Engineers, 20-8, in the second and third (11-4) periods.
Sean Fields had 16 saves in the B.U. net, while Nathan Marsters had 24 stops in the Rensselaer net.
"After the first 10 minutes, I said 'Whoa,'" Terrier head coach Jack Parker said after the game. It was the 31st opener for the veteran coach, whose record in season-openers is now 24-6-1, while his overall record improved to 681-339-67. "I thought in last week's exhibition game against Toronto we looked very quick. Tonight, in the first 10 minutes, we looked very slow and all the defensemen looked jumpy.
"We could have been down 3-0 if Fields hadn't played well," continued the coach.
The turning point came with 5:33 to play in the first period when Skladany was called for a two-minute penalty for boarding. The Terriers killed off the penalty and it seemed to breath life into the team.
"We seemed to get our legs back at that point," confirmed Parker. "After that, we went after it. Then, in the first 10 minutes of the second period, we looked sharp."
The Terriers displayed a well-balanced attack as all four lines scored at least one goal, while the fourth line of Klema centering Radoslovich on the left and Laliberte on the right had two goals.
"In general, I thought we had a good effort tonight," said Parker. "I thought we were quick to the puck, and we came out of our zone well. I thought our fourth line was our best tonight, and Fields played well when we had to.
"I was also pleased with how our five freshmen played (forwards Roche and Thomassian and defensemen Sean Sullivan, Tom Morrow, and Kevin Schaeffer)," said Parker. "I like this club, and I like its speed."
Rensselaer coach Dan Fridgen wasn't as complimentary about his team.
"I thought we started strongly but just couldn't capitalize on our chances," said the coach. "We had a 3-on-1 chance early, and we just couldn't convert. I thought we had them back on their heels in the opening minutes of the game.
"In the second period, though, we didn't stay with our game plan," Fridgen went on. "And, when they (B.U.) smell the offense, they jump up into the zone. I thought we played even except for the second period. And, when you fall behind, you play differently."
