BU Roller Hockey had their first regular season tournament this past weekend down in Warwick, RI. They played their season opener against the University of Vermont on Saturday morning. Half way through the first the team was in a 0-2 hole but after shaking off the rust they came out of the period tied 3-3. Goals were scored by JP Weldon, Nick Breed, and Kevin Robitaille. In the second period the Terriers started controlling more of the play and were able to take the lead late in the period on a goal from Kevin Robitaille. The third period would follow a similar storyline as Vermont stayed off the score sheet and Bill Schoeninger notched an insurance marker on the power play half way through the period. Goaltender Mark Flitsch made 17 saves in the game and had an assist on the second period goal. BU would hold on to win 5-3.
The second game of the weekend was against rival UMass – Amherst. BU caught a tough break when a shot deflected off a Terrier defender two minutes into game and found the back of the net. However, Ben Phillips seemingly turned BU’s luck around when he scored his first career goal on a slapshot from center ice that blew by the UMass keeper. Unfortunately the hockey gods seemed to be leaning in UMass’ favor because late in the period another goal went off a Terrier defender and the period ended with BU down 1-2. The second period was scoreless but had much back and forth action. One minute into the third period UMass capitalized on a power play opportunity to put the Terriers in a 1-3 hole. JP Weldon gave the Terriers some hope when he rocketed a shot top shelf off a beautiful feed from Tucker Franz a minute later but BU was unable to find the back of the net again and lost 2-3. Mark Flitsch kept the boys in it though with 21 saves.
Game three of the weekend was bright and early, starting at 7AM Sunday morning. The Terriers were wide awake though and were able to breeze by an understaffed University of Buffalo with a 7-1 win. BU spread the wealth with six different goal scorers: Nick Breed, Bill Shoeninger, Ethan Shibutani (2), Danny Phillips, Tucker Franz, and Matt Sullivan. Rookie Andrew Filipek recorded his first career point with an assist on Danny Phillip’s goal. Mark Flitsch made 20 saves in the contest.
In the final tilt of the weekend the Terriers matched up against Baruch College in a game that followed the same path as the first of the day: BU rolled to a comfortable 8-1 win. Goalscorers were Nick Breed (2), Matt Sullivan (3), Ethan Shibutani, Daniel Phillips, and Andrew Hanlon. Mark Flitsch stopped 19 of the 20 shots he faced.
The team ended their weekend 3-1 and took a vital 6 out of 8 points. Goaltender Mark Flitsch was award Division II Player of the Week for his stellar performance. He finished the weekend with 77 saves, .906 SV%, 2.00 GAA and an assist.
The Terriers will be back in action in two weeks when they travel to Bethpage, NY. For all stats please check out our team page on the ECRHA website.
