BOSTON - The Boston University men's ice hockey team scored in the second minute of play, but settled for a 1-1 draw with Merrimack on Saturday evening at Agganis Arena. BU moves to 7-7-2 on the year with a 2-4-1 Hockey East mark.
Sophomore Matt O'Connor, making his sixth straight start in goal, took home first-star honors for a 38-save performance.
Junior Evan Rodrigues scored from the left circle just 1:47 into the game. It was his first goal since the season opener on Oct. 11. Freshmen Robbie Baillargeon and Brendan Collier assisted on the play, as Collier picked up his first collegiate point.
The Warriors tied up the game on a tally by freshman Chris LeBlanc just under six minutes into the the second.
Merrimack dominated play for the vast majority of the opening two periods and held a 27-4 shot advantage at one point late in the middle stanza.
BU played a strong third and dominated play in overtime, but was not able to muster a late winner.
Junior Rasmus Tirronen recorded 23 saves for Merrimack, which held a 39-24 shot advantage for the game. The Terriers went 0-for-3 on the power play but killed off all four of the Warriors' chances with the man advantage.
BU will close out the first semester next Saturday (Dec. 14) when they welcome Bentley to Agganis Arena for the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Game time is set for 7 p.m.