BOSTON - Thanks to a three-goal spurt early in the second period, the No. 19 Boston University men's ice hockey team opened its season under first-year head coach David Quinn with a 3-1 victory over Massachusetts on Friday evening at Agganis Arena.
Following a scoreless first period, three Terriers got on the scoreboard within the first eight minutes of the second to break open the game. Sophomore Ahti Oksanen assisted on all three tallies.
In goal, sophomore Sean Maguire turned in an impressive 39-save performance for the Terriers. The Minutemen spoiled Maguire's shutout bid midway through the third before BU closed out the 3-1 win.
Senior Garrett Noonan opened the scoring just 1:02 into the second period when he skated down the slot before beating UMass netminder Steve Mastalerz. Junior Evan Rodrigues and Oksanen each kicked off multi-point nights with assists on the play.
Freshman Tommy Kelley doubled the lead less than four minutes later with the eventual game-winner - his first collegiate goal - on a power play with helpers from junior Cason Hohmann and Oksanen. After taking a pass from Oksanen, Rodrigues made it a 3-0 contest at the 7:32 mark with a shot from the right circle that beat Mastalerz high blocker side.
Massachusetts' lone goal came from Steven Iacobellis at the left circle on a power play at 10:24 of the final period. Assists on the play came from Adam Phillips and Colin Shea.
Mastalerz made 21 saves in net for UMass, which held a 40-24 show advantage.
The Terriers capitalized on one of six power-play chances and successfully killed off seven of the Minutemen's eight opportunities. BU had nine penalties for a total of 18 minutes while UMass had eight for a total of 30 minutes, including a game misconduct to Shane Walsh just 3:53 into the contest.
Friday's contest marked the first time since 1973 that someone other than Jack Parker was BU's head coach for a season opener.
The Terriers will be back in action on Saturday night when they host Holy Cross for a 7 p.m. start.