BOSTON -- Jack Eichel and Matt Lane each tipped shots out of midair to erase a second period deficit and propel Boston University past Michigan, 3-2, on Saturday night in front of 5,846 at Agganis Arena.
"What a hockey game. People got their money's worth tonight. That was a talented team we played tonight. We got some bounces, but that's what happens when you go to the net. It was a really good feel-good win for us," commented BU coach David Quinn.
Matt Lane's tip in goal with 3:10 to play in the game was the difference. Nick Roberto dug the puck out of the corner and sent a pass to the blue line to Brandon Hickey who was streaking into the zone off a chance. His one-timer was sticked down by Lane and past Nagelvoort.
Jack Eichel's own midair magic tied the score just 2:29 into the third period. The freshman sensation redirected a high shot from defenseman Doyle Somerby who had received a low-to-high pass from Danny O'Regan.
It was BU's first come-from-behind victory when trailing after two periods since January 4, 2013 when the Terriers rallied for a 3-2 overtime victory over RPI.
With John MacLeod out of the lineup and the Terriers having to kill five penalties it was imperative to get good goaltending from junior Matt O'Connor.
O'Connor made 38 saves on the night including 16 in the third period as he shut the door on the Wolverines. "Matt played great. Matt's an established goalie at this level and I thought he really played well tonight," said Quinn.
With A.J. Greer in the box for roughing Michigan capitalized to jump on the board first. Freshman defenseman and NHL Draft prospect Zach Weresnki blasted home a one-timer from the point off a setup from Boo Nieves. It was a low shot that BU goaltender Matt O'Connor appeared to never see. It was the first deficit of the young season for the Terriers.
The Terriers evened the score just 34 seconds into the second period on a transitional play created by O'Regan using a burst of speed to beat Werenski wide. As he cut towards the net, Michigan goaltender Zach Nagelvoort poke checked the puck away from him. The puck went right to Ahti Oksanen who got just enough on the shot to find the back of the net.
The Wolverines scored their second power play goal of the night at 8:33 of the second period to regain the lead. Dylan Larkin slid a pass down to Alex Kile who took a step in before lifting a backhander over O'Connor's glove.
Michigan (2-3) returns home somewhat next weekend when Red Berenson's club heads to Houghton for a two-game nonconference series at Michigan Tech.
Boston University (3-0) faces preseason Hockey East favorite Providence in a home-and-home series next weekend. The Terriers travel to PC on Friday before hosting the Friars on Saturday.
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Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on Twitter @JeffCoxSports.