AMHERST — Boston University’s individual talent dazzled with four unassisted goals, as the Terriers pummeled the UMass hockey team 7-2 on Friday night at the Mullins Center.
It’s the first time the Minutemen (5-4-1, 1-4 Hockey East) have lost four in a row since late January and early February of 2018, when they dropped six games in a row. They dropped to 0-4-1 in their last five games against the Terriers (6-3-1, 2-3). UMass hasn’t beaten BU since 2019.
“When you’re struggling to win games, the worst thing you can do is fall apart. We’ve got to lean hard on each other and get back to basics, just competing, winning some battles,” UMass coach Greg Carvel said. “We beat a very good Denver team about a month ago – twice. It’s there. I’ll take plenty of the blame why it’s gotten where it is, but we’re not in a good place right now.”
The No. 14 Terriers took it from a three goal lead to a five goal lead in 10 seconds late in the second period. Freshman Quinn Hutson finished a quick 2-on-1 breakaway with 7:20 to go. Then Green fired home his second goal fo the game at 7:10 before the first goal could even be announced. Goal No. 4 sent some fans to the exits, and the fifth started the exodus.
“It’s great to win, but the biggest part of my job is helping them find answers when they need them. We need answers right now. Me and my staff need to dig deep and take a broad view of how we’re doing things and that needs to trickle down to the players,” Carvel said. “We need leadership right now. If we didn’t start he season 5-0-1 I’d be a lot more concerned. We’ve had some success we’ve gotten away from it, and let’s work our way back.”
That chased UMass starting goalie Luke Pavicich, who only stopped 18 shots in 12:50 and allowed five goals.
Cole Brady made 20 saves in relief.
“We spoke this week after I pulled him in Providence after giving up three goals. I said, ‘I need to see you look like you want to be a difference maker, need to feel your body language,’ and I felt it,” Carvel said. “He did a good job. We need some stabilization in net.”
Quinn Hutson made it 3-0 on the power play 9:52 into the second. He skated in largely uncontested by the right circle and flicked a shot into the top corner. A teammate provided something of a screen, but mostly he hit the spot he aimed for.
BU’s Wilmer Skoog showcased his unique talent 1:42 into the second period when he elevated the puck to cross bar height and whipped it to the opposite corner for a 2-0 lead, commonly referred to as a lacrosse goal or “The Michigan” in hockey circles.
“I’ve seen it a lot. I’ve seen it in games, I’ve seen it in practice,” BU coach Jay Pandolfo said. “He’s good at it. He’s really good at it.”
No. 11/10 UMass nearly equalized a few minutes later when Josh Nodler crashed to the net and picked an open side around a sprawled Drew Comesso, but a BU defensmen laid down in the crease to keep the puck out as bodies piled in front.
Despite holding the Terriers’ zone for most of the opening five minutes, UMass conceded first.
BU freshman Ryan Greene capitalized on a UMass mistake in the natural zone and took the puck past a UMass defender to the net. He switched it to his back hand and flipped it over a sprawled Luke Pavicich to make it 1-0 with 14:21 left in the first period.
“We did a good job of weathering the storm,” Pandolfo said. “After that, the second half of the first period we started to find our legs and took over the game from there.”
The teams played the final 1:51 4 on 4 after UMass’ Ryan Lautenbach and BU’s Domenick Fensore received matching roughing penalties after dust up in the corner. Defenseman Noah Ellis left the game after 20 minutes with an injury and did not return.
UMass earned its first power play at 16:54 of the second period after Luke Tuch was called for a holding minor. Defenseman Ryan Ufko kept the nations’ leading power play rolling with a drive from the point assisted by Cal Kiefiuk and Reed Lebster. The Minutemen haven’t been shutout since Minnesota State blanked them in the 2021-22 season opener.
“Power play is very good, it’s the one thing that’s been consistent through the year is our power play and our penalty kill,” Carvel said. “Power play has been a lot of our offense lately, and we need to find a way to generate more five on five.”
Carvel successfully challenged a Jay O’Brien hit on UMass forward Taylor Makar at the end of the second period to give the Minutemen a five-minute major and a game misconduct to open the third.
It only resulted in a three-minute power play because UMass was called for a protocol violation delaying the start of the third period coming out of the second intermission locker room late. The Minutemen killed the penalty, but their energy was blunted.
“I was speaking to the team, and there were things I needed to say. I went too long. That’s on me,” Carvel said.
Reed Lebster whipped in a backhanded goal with 16:39 left from Scott Morrow and Ufko, leaving 1:40 on the major penalty.
UMass pulled Brady with 4:42 left and immediately gave up an empty goal to BU’s Matt Brown. Sam Stevens assisted the long-range effort.
BU’s Devin Kaplan tacked on a power play goal in the final minute after BU went on a 5-on-3 following an elbowing penalty by UMass defenseman Linden Algier and goalie interference against forward Kenny Connors on a shorthanded breakaway. Greene added an assist.
“Pretty ugly game all the way through. We’re in a hole here for the first time in a long time,” Carvel said. “We’re going to have to find a way as a group to pull out of it.”
The teams will meet again at 7 p.m. Saturday at Agganis Arena in Boston.
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.