MERRIMACK COLLEGE AND BOSTON UNIVERSITY SKATE TO 1-1 TIE
BU's Ross Gaudet and MC's Mike Collins score goals in 1:09 span of second period

Freshman forward Mike Collins scored the game-tying goal for the Warriors

BOSTON, Mass. - Sophomore Ross Gaudet scored for the Terriers and junior Kieran Millan made 35 saves as the top-ranked Boston University men's ice hockey team (6-0-3, 4-0-3 HEA) skated to a 1-1 tie with Merrimack (2-2-3, 1-2-2 HEA) on Friday evening at Agganis Arena.

After a scoreless first frame, Gaudet gave the Terriers a 1-0 lead with his second-period goal at 8:04. Merrimack freshman Mike Collins evened the game just 1:09 later and a scoreless third period and overtime followed to account for the 1-1 final.

The Warriors outshot BU, 36-33, and each team won 38 faceoffs. Junior goaltender Joe Cannata turned in a 32-save performance for the Warriors.

BU went 0-for-7 on the power play, while Merrimack was 0-for-10. The Terriers continue to boast the nation's best penalty kill, as they have successfully killed off each of their opponents' last 32 power-play chances.

With the tie, the Terriers improved their season-opening unbeaten streak to nine games.

Gaudet opened the scoring nearly halfway through the game with his first goal of the season, as the forward took a long pass from freshman Adam Clendening before completing a successful give-and-go with freshman Sahir Gill. Gill found Gaudet at the right edge of the crease and Gaudet's shot popped over goaltender Joe Cannata's right shoulder following a deflection off a Merrimack stick.

Moments later, Millan made one of the toughest of his 35 saves on the night, but the Warriors maintained control of the puck and manufactured an equalizer. Freshman Rhett Bly took the puck along the left boards before sending it over to classmate Shawn Bates in the corner. Bates spotted Collins, who skated through the lower half of the left circle before wristing a puck past Millan at 9:13 of the second.

The two teams will complete their weekend home-and-home series on Saturday (Nov. 13) at Lawler Arena. Game time is set for 7 p.m.