BOSTON, Mass. - On a night when the Terriers honored both their legendary coach and their senior class, the Boston University men's ice hockey team made sure their final home game of the season was a triumphant one, topping No. 9 Northeastern, 4-1, on Friday at Agganis Arena.
Freshman Robbie Baillargeon tallied a goal and an assist and three other Terriers lit the lamp as BU secured the ninth seed for the upcoming Hockey East tournament. Sophomore Sean Maguire turned in an impressive 31-save performance to earn first-star honors.
The No. 6, which Jack Parker wore during his playing days at BU, became just the second number retired in the program's history during a first-intermission ceremony. BU's seniors were honored prior to their last game at Agganis.
The Terriers will either travel to No. 14 Notre Dame or No. 17 Vermont in next weekend's Hockey East first-round game.
BU (9-20-4, 4-12-3 HEA) earned its first win since Jan. 24 thanks in part to a pair of goals in a 25-second span midway through the first period from freshman Kevin Duane and sophomore Danny O'Regan. Baillargeon added his goal in the second period before assisting on a shorthanded empty-netter from sophomore Ahti Oksanen to close the scoring.
Duane opened the scoring at 10:59 of the first period when converted from the top of the crease for his sixth goal of the season. Junior Cason Hohmann earned his 10th assist of the year on the play.
O'Regan's sixth strike of the season occurred 25 seconds later, doubling the Terriers' lead. He came in along the right side before his shot went off a Husky defender and past goaltender Clay Witt's left skate.
Baillargeon found the back of the net for his ninth goal of the season at 7:49 of the middle frame. Junior Evan Rodrigues and senior Patrick MacGregor picked up assists on the play.
Northeastern (18-11-4, 10-7-2 HE) got its lone goal from senior Braden Pimm, who converted on a shorthanded breakaway at 11:17 of the second.
With 2:35 remaining in the game, Oksanen registered his seventh goal of the season after the Huskies pulled Witt on a power play to gain a 6-on-4 advantage.
Neither the Terriers nor the Huskies could convert on the power play, as BU went 0-for-7 and the visitors went 0-for-5. Northeastern held a 32-27 shot advantage.
The two teams will meet again to wrap up the regular season on Saturday (March 1) at Matthews Arena. The game will start at 7 p.m.