Boston University lost to Providence in Boston tonight, 5-4.
 
Although BU outshot Providence 47-26, most of BU's shots were not very tough.
 
Herlofsky was off his game in goal tonight, and none of BU's new lines clicked.
  The four players returning from the Jr. Nationals seemed to almost do more
  harm than good as none of the lines looked good.
 
BU was unable to score after the first, when it had looked like BU was going to
run away with it.
 
It was a frustrating night for BU as Providence managed to clutch and grab like
none other (I'm not complaining, just stating), dive with eloquence (BU has not
been totally innocent of this in other games, but Prov is good at it), and most
of all do anything in their power to prevent BU from passing the puck across
the front of the net.  Providence would dive, grab, check, or do anything to
keep BU from passing the puck across the slot/front of the net.  I had not
realized how much BU depends on this criss-cross passing for its offense until
the second two periods tonight.  The Providence coach obviously noticed this.
 
The BU fans blamed Cole (ref) who did seem off of his game tonight (He's
usually one of the best officials) for the loss.  Although he did make two or
three bad calls/non-calls, it should not have mattered.  When the best team in
a league plays the worst, a couple of bad calls should not make a difference.
 
Based on the celebration by Providence after the game, it appears BU has just
made their season.  The rematch(es) in March should be interesting.
 
For now, BU has a week to consider their situation before a home-and-home with
BC next weekend.  We shall see...
 
 
BU is slumping right now, having lost two of the last three.  This is a big
stretch coming up.  If BU just sort of plays through it, they will be a good
team that might go a couple of rounds in the NCAA tourney.  But if they regroup
and pull together like the '89-'90 team did at this time of the season, they
could make a serious run.  They have a lot of talent, but they need to put it
all together.
 
 
Tony  BU'92'93
Former Ogre
 
 
P.S. - Doug Wood, the defenseman who Parker said should have been given a DQ
for his participation in a fight at the end of the Lowell game, did not play
tonight.
 
P.P.S. - In a questionable move (IMHO) Derek Herlofsky started in goal tonight
for the second straight game instead of HE GAA leader McKersie.  I realize that
Herlofsky was supposed to be the #1 at the beginning of the season, but
McKersie has been hot lately and (IMHO) has earned the right to at LEAST a
start a week.  The hockey rule o' thumb is, "Go with the hot goaltender."
    Especially when he is leading the league in overall GAA...
 
(stat. based on all games by all teams in HE, not just league games)
(courtesy of NESN)