During the initial stages of the first period against the highly-ranked Boston University on Saturday, the Union College men’s hockey team put up a commendable fight. The Garnet Chargers were creating scoring chances, but they were unable to get the puck past the formidable goalie Mathieu Caron.
This inability to score proved detrimental as the Terriers netted three goals in the first period, seizing control of the game at Agganis Arena. The Terriers went on to secure a 4-1 non-conference victory over Union, marking the Garnet Chargers’ first defeat of the season.
“We had numerous opportunities early in the first,” Union head coach Josh Hauge said during a postgame Zoom interview. “At one point, we were outshooting them 10-1. It would have been great to score one, as we were clearly in control for the first 10 minutes.”
Shane Lachance initiated the scoring for the Terriers (2-0), beating goalie Kyle Chauvette from the left circle at 8:39.
The Terriers followed up with two power-play goals. Alex Zetterberg scored the first one 1:50 after Lachance’s goal, and Cole Eiserman added another late in the period.
“They’re a top-five team in the country,” Hauge said. “A defensive zone turnover can be costly against them. We need to absorb the hit and make the play. If we don’t, we give them time and space, and they’re going to capitalize.”
Parker Lindauer scored his first goal with Union. The Maine transfer beat goalie Mathieu Caron with a shot from behind the goal line to the right of the net with 7:11 remaining in the second period.
However, Jack Harvey restored BU’s three-goal lead with 3:38 left in the second.
Union’s power play was ineffective for the third consecutive game. The Garnet Chargers were 0 for 5, making them 0 for 16 in their first three games.
Union managed only two shots on its five power plays, while BU had four shorthanded shots.
“I think we’re getting outworked,” Hauge said. “We’re taking shifts off around the power play because we’re looking for that perfect skilled play. We need to simplify things by getting pucks and bodies to the net.”
BU outshot Union 44-37. Chauvetter made 40 saves.
“As the game progressed, he was excellent,” Hauge said. “He made some crucial saves. I was proud of how he fought.”
Union will return to Messa Rink next weekend for two games against Mercyhurst.
Union 0 1 0 — 1
Boston U. 3 1 0 — 4
First Period — 1, Boston U., Lachance 1 (Hutson), 8:39. 2, Boston U., Zetterberg 2 (Harvey, Willander), 10:29 (pp). 3, Boston U., Eiserman 2 (Hutson, McCarthy), 18:24 (pp). Penalties — Lindauer, Uni (tripping), 9:03; Hutson, BU (holding), 16:20; Muthersbaugh, Uni (slashing), 17:13.
Second Period — 4, Union, Lindauer 1 (Nixon, Young), 12:49. 5, Boston U., Harvey 1 (Bednarik, Engum), 16:22. Penalties — Nixon, Uni (roughing), 5:53; Kaplan, BU (roughing), 9:21; Kaplan, Bu (cross-checking), 17:18; Boston U. bench (too many men), 19:56.
Third Period — None. Penalties — Hart, Uni (interference), 4:01; Young, Uni (tripping), 7:07; Amonte, BU (cross-checking), 9:42.
Shots on Goal — Union 17-8-12 — 37. Boston U. 13-19-12 — 44.
Power-play opportunities — Union 0 of 5; Boston U. 2 of 5.
Goalies — Union, Chauvette 2-1-0 (44 shots-40 saves). Boston U., Caron 2-0-0 (37-36).
A — 4,954.
Referees — Peter Schlittenhardt, Michael Zyla. Linesmen — Kevin Briganti, Conor Foley.
Disagree – Tough loss for union men’s hockey, but they’ll bounce back. #GoUnionHockey
Disagree – Disappointing start for Union, but they have the talent to turn things around. #KeepFighting
Disagree – Tough loss, but Union has the potential to come back stronger.