BOSTON - Sophomore Chris Higgins tallied a goal and an assist and senior Tom Morrow scored the first goal of his career, as the No. 10/11 Boston University men's ice hockey team posted a 2-1 home victory over cross-town rival Harvard on Tuesday evening at Agganis Arena. The win improves the Terriers' record to 4-2-4 on the year.
Playing in the 110th game of his career, Morrow opened the scoring just under four minutes into the contest. Higgins, who assisted on Morrow's tally, made it a 2-0 contest midway through the second period with his second goal in as many games. Harvard answered quickly to make it a one-goal contest again, but BU held on for its second consecutive victory following a scoreless third period.
Senior goaltender John Curry made 22 saves, including 11 in the final period. The Crimson's lone goal ended Curry's home shutout skein at 148 minutes, 12 seconds.
Morrow, who entered the game with nine career points - all assists - took advantage of a good look at the 3:50 mark.
Sophomore Jason Lawrence entered the zone from the right side before sending a pass towards the middle, where Higgins got a stick on the puck. Morrow followed the play and the puck rolled to him just outside the right circle, where he blasted a shot that went under the glove of Harvard netminder Justin Tobe.
The first period was a strong one for the Terriers, as they held a 14-5 advantage in shots entering the first intermission.
The Terriers looked to add to their lead in the middle period and did just that when Higgins sent in a rebound at the 9:24 mark. The sophomore set up a great look on the left side for classmate Matt Gilroy, who fired a shot that went off Tobe. Higgins was quick to the rebound and sent it to the back of the net for his fifth goal of the year, tying him with senior Kenny Roche for the team lead.
The Crimson disposed of the two-goal deficit quickly, scoring just 22 seconds following Higgins' tally. Senior Kevin Du collected the puck in transition before pushing a pass up to classmate Ryan Maki. Freshman Alex Biega skated through the slot before receiving a pass from Maki and sending the puck past Curry.
The Harvard goal came on one of very few strong scoring chances for the visitors, as the Terrier defense forced the Crimson to take most of its shots from the top of the zone.
BU went on to outshoot Harvard by a 29-23 margin. Tobe made 27 saves for the Crimson.
Now halfway through its four-game homestand, the Terriers will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 26, when it welcomes Yale to Agganis Arena for a 7 p.m. contest.