Hockey East Headlines: Sweeps Weekend

Get your brooms out, Hockey East fans, because this weekend featured six conference teams sweeping their respective opponents. And for once so far in Hockey East this season, the teams that were “supposed” to win, did, and did so in exciting fashion.

Boston University vs. University of Massachusetts
It took eight periods of hockey, but BU managed to take three-of-four points from the Minutemen with a 2-2 tie on Friday and a 5-4 OT win on Saturday. BU’s Sahir Gill and Matt Nieto each had two goals on the weekend (one in each game) and UMass’ Conor Sheary recorded two as well. BU was the only team that recorded shots on net in overtime on Saturday, and they improve to 2-1-1 in conference play and 3-2-1 overall. UMass drops to 0-3-2 in Hockey East and 1-3-2 overall.

Merrimack College vs. University of Vermont
The Warriors have remained perfect so far this season, both in conference and out of league play, including the two wins against the Catamounts this weekend. They improve to 4-0-0 in Hockey East and 6-0-0 overall whereas Vermont drops to 0-2-0 in conference and 1-3-0 overall. Jesse Todd and Mike Collins each had two goal weekends for Merrimack, as the Warriors outscored Vermont 8-3 on Friday and Saturday. Joe Cannata made 38 saves on the weekend, now improving with a 1.40 GAA and .938 save percentage.

University of Maine vs. Providence College
Saturday’s match up between these two schools proved to be almost a grudge match. After the two teams went into an extra frame of hockey on Friday, and Maine pulled out a 5-4 OT win, the Friars were looking to come back and seek vengeance--and they had their chances. Providence only were able to capitalize on one of seven power play opportunities on Saturday, and that put Maine in the position to take the 3-1 win and the sweep of the weekend. Black Bear Joey Diamond had two goals and had the game winning assist to Brian Flynn’s goal on Friday. Maine currently sits in third, with a 3-1-0 record (Hockey East) and 3-2-1 overall. Providence is now 2-2-0 in conference play.

Boston College vs. UMass-Lowell
It should come as no surprise that Boston College once again showed their dominance, but this time it was against a Riverhawks team that has shown it can compete at a high level, even outside of the conference. In Friday night’s game, UML came back from a two goal deficit to tie the game late in the second period. BC scored in the third to put the Eagles up 3-2, and again at the end of the period with an empty netter, shutting the door, 4-2. Saturday they found a little more offense and took a 6-2 victory over the Riverhawks. Chris Kreider posted his fifth and sixth goals on Saturday while Steven Whitney also put up two goals. Boston College still remains undefeated in conference (5-0-0) and only one loss besides that (7-1-0). UML drops to 0-2-0 in Hockey East and 2-3-0 overall.

University of New Hampshire vs. Union (Friday) and Northeastern University (Saturday)
The Wildcats picked up their first conference win of the season against Northeastern University last night. 5-2, despite a power outage that occurred at the Whittemore Center Arena. This is also the first time this season that they have put up back-to-back wins all the season. UNH, who started out with a dismal 0-4-1 before this weekend, jumped back this weekend defeating both Union (2-1 in OT) and Northeastern University. With a shaky new defense that has been under fire, Umile’s crew came out and only allowed three goals all weekend, while producing seven of their own. Even with Union’s 38 shots on net on Friday, a mix between Di Girolamo and the defense held the team to just one goal. UNH improves to 2-4-1 overall and 1-3-0 in Hockey East.