With the history and tradition that surrounds the Boston University Terriers’ Hockey program, a “down” or “rebuilding” year are out of the question. The students, alumni, season ticket holders, and higher-ups expect and demand greatness, and every game the team endures “Sucks to BU” chants where ever they go.
Coaching
David Quinn has been given the unfortunate gift of taking the helm of the Terriers from Jack Parker. This is perhaps the most unenviable position to be in College Hockey, Quinn has taken the Terriers to some success. Coach Quinn has taken the Terriers to a record of 83-53-17. They are 44-29-13 in Hockey East action. Comparatively, this is a good record for a hockey school, but Boston University is no ordinary hockey school. Coach Quinn’s reign as produced the only one down year, the 2013-2014 season when the Terriers finished 10-21-4. They went 5-12-3 in Hockey East games. In light of this season, the Terriers bounced back the following season which saw them finish first in Hockey East and end runner’s up in the NCAA Finals. Coach Quinn has led the Terriers to two first place finishes in Hockey East Standings.
This Season
Currently the Terriers stand at 8-10-1. They are 6-6-1 in Hockey East Games. The Terriers are not in the Top 20 in NCAA. Playing .500 hockey in Hockey East this season good enough for third place in the standings. The main stay between the pipes this season is Sophomore Jake Oettinger. The first round Dallas Stars pick has appeared in 17 games this season and boasts a 2.91 GAA and a .902 SV%. These numbers are too “average” for a Boston University goalie. Sophomore Patrick Harper leads the team with 21 points this season. The Nashville fifth round draft pick has 8 goals this season. The team leader in goals this season for the Terriers is Bobo Carpenter, with 9 goals.
Problems
These numbers are the root of the Terriers’ struggles this season. They lose too may close games and get blown out far too often for a team that should be competing. Some the defense and goal tending shows up, the offense sputters, and other games the offense is firing on all cylinders, the defense and goal tending cannot stop anything. The 2017-2018 Boston University Terriers are the worst thing you can be in sports, inconsistent.
Going Forward
The Terriers season is far from over and the chance for them to succeed is very high. The schedule is weaker than what the Terriers went up against during the first half of the season with multiple games against Merrimack, Vermont, and Arizona State. There are multiple chances for Boston University to win. Only 2 games under .500, the Terriers are not out. Hockey East is a tough conference and in order to survive, consistency is key.