The Boston University Terriers will try yo amend last year's early season slide, as they face Northeastern in a home-and-home series this weekend. At this point in the season last year, after a strong start BU lost to NU which was the beginning of a four losses in five games streak. This year's team expects to avoid such a pitfall. After suffering their first loss vs RPI, BU hopes to get back some of it's offensive pop. It won't be made easier by the loss of two forwards, Bob LaChance and Shawn Bates. LaChance is out at least two weeks with mononeucliosis. Bates is listed as doubtful for this weekend with a groin pull. Rookie Mike "The Bear" Grier will dress for both NU games adding "punch" to the lineup, but perhaps not scoring punch. Defenseman Dan Donato is expected to see some time at forward. Freshman Shane Johnson will take Donato's place behind the blue line. Starting goalies for the weekend continue Jack Parker's rotation: 11/12 J.P. McKersie 11/13 Derek Herlofsky There have also been numerous line changes. The top two lines: Steve Thornton-Jay Pandolfo-Mike Prendergast Jacques Joubert-Mike Pomichter-Doug Friedman The weekend, although early in the season, is important for the Terriers. NU will be BU's first Hockey East action of the season. On a related note, The Hockey news has dubbed BU defenseman as a candidate for the Hobey Baker. The player, whose name I forgot to mention, is Junior Kaj Linna. Linna inexplicably has not been drafted by an NHL team, but is expected to be one of the top D selected in the draft. That's all from Commonwealth Ave for now. Rich Boston Univ. [log in to unmask] Go Icedogs!