By Mikayla Heiss
BU News Service
“Play under review” – the words crept across the electronic banners in Agganis Arena. Dusted in ice crystals, Johnny DeRoche, a University of Vermont forward, adjusted his helmet after a fall. Kasper Kotkansalo, a Boston University forward, waited as his contact with DeRoche was assessed for a potential major penalty.
The call: major penalty, checking from behind, ten minute game misconduct. The crowd rose to their feet, shouting in protest. This was the second major penalty and game misconduct in 58 seconds. It would be a major factor in the final result, a 3-3 tie between the Terriers and the Catamounts.
Throughout the game on Saturday, Boston University tallied up a total of 34 penalty minutes. The game began with a BU milestone as forward Sam Stevens scored his first collegiate goal. However, overlapping major penalties gave Vermont an opportunity to get on the board.
“We were fortunate, if you will, to receive two five-minute majors to work with to try to get some confidence,” said University of Vermont Head Coach Kevin Sneddon.
Near the start of the second, Boston University received their final game penalty for roughing. The University of Vermont took advantage as Derek Lodermeier extended the lead by one.
But the Terriers fought back. Intercepting a pass in the neutral zone, defenseman Domenick Fensore headed for the net. Shooting, he sent the puck toward the goaltender. BU and Vermont players swarmed. Stevens connected with the puck, sending it behind the goalie. Referees gathered, subjecting the play to review, but the goal stood as Stevens’ second of the night.
“Right place; right time,” Stevens said, commenting on his two-goal game.
Stevens, returning from injury, made his Agganis Arena debut on Friday against Vermont. But with every goal Stevens scored, Fensore, a freshman defenseman, was nearby, tallying an assist. Fenscore also scored his first collegiate goal on Friday.
“Fensore was unbelievable all weekend,” Head Coach Albie O’Connell said. “He is maturing game-to-game.”
As new players develop and mature, veterans continued to contribute.
David Farrance, a junior, capitalized on a power play, hammering the puck into the netting. Farrance leads all Division I defensemen in goals (10) and points (19).
Snatching two points, BU previously beat Vermont in a shutout Friday night. Goaltender Sam Tucker faced 26 shots and picked up his first assist. With Saturday’s game, BU will skate away from the matchups with three points, tying for fourth position in Hockey East.
“In general, we played a pretty good game,” O’Connell said. “We put ourselves behind the eightball with those four plus minutes of five on three. It took a little bit of gas out of us, but we played hard…It’s just frustrating not getting that extra point.”
