October 28, 2008
Another Statement
Boston University Delivers Big Blow to Michigan as Strong Start Continues
by Nicole Auerbach/CHN Reporter
BOSTON — Michigan hadn't come to Boston University in 18 years.
And the Terriers made sure this visit wouldn't soon be forgotten.
Last weekend's showdown pitted two of the nation's top six teams against one another; both have storied programs and legendary coaches. On paper, this should have been a close game between two equally talented teams.
But the 7-2 trouncing by the Terriers leaves no doubt that BU is one of the top teams in the nation.
The Terriers didn't train for the Wolverines like they would for any other opponent.
In fact, they seemed entirely unprepared.
"We never showed any film of Michigan," BU coach Jack Parker said Saturday. "They almost play exactly like we do on power play and penalty kills, so it was like we were playing against each other, playing against ourselves.
"Their power play didn't surprise us. Their penalty kill didn't surprise us."
The Terriers (4-1-0) used a combination of speed and quick puck movement on the man advantage to collapse the Michigan defense. Eighteen of BU's 32 shots were fired between the crease and bottom of the circles.
"We got a lot of 'Grade A' chances," Parker said.
And for a Terrier power-play unit that started the season with a measly 3-for-30 success rate, last weekend's five-goal performance on the man advantage showed a remarkable turnaround.
Perhaps even more impressive than the BU power play success rate of .556 (5-for-9), was its penalty kill unit. Michigan had 12 power-play opportunities throughout the game and only capitalized on two in the final period when the game was already out of reach.
Though Michigan's weak defense and out-of-sync offense directly contributed to some of BU's success through turnovers, the game was easily won by the Terriers, not lost by the Wolverines.
BU simply outhustled, outshot and outplayed Michigan.
"They were the better team and they proved that as the game went on," Berenson said after the game. "They got stronger, and we got weaker."
With the win, BU jumped to No. 3 in the rankings, cementing its place among the top teams in the nation. All of the Terriers' wins have come at home this season so far, so their next three road games will test the team outside of its raucous but friendly Agganis Arena.
