What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

Northeastern 2025-26: After Hours at the Old Barn

The term, "Jekyll and Hyde" has been used several times on this board over the past few seasons to describe NU's seemingly inconsistent week-to-week results. And it looks like that might apply again.

Compared to last week's blah outing vs Army, last night's performance was as dominating as I've seen over many years. Would have been a complete rout were it not for Michael Hrabal plus the posts and crossbar. Overall team speed looked to be a pleasant surprise.

Jack Pechar looked like a nice fit on the top line but thought Amini Hajibi and Giacomo Martino also stood out. Team Defense looked encouraging, especially the seemingly relentless backcheck that clearly knocked UMass off its game. And Lawton Zacher came up big when he had to, especially in the third period but too early to anoint him as a worthy successor to Cayden Primeau and Devon Levi. We'll see.

Props to the UMass TV production, especially the full-ice angle from up high,

Finally, Denver lost to (of all people) Lindenwood last night. Good chance for NU to make an impact on the national level next week, providing Mr. Hyde stays away from Matthews.
 
You beat UMass away then lose to Harvard at Home in an exhibition ? The more things change the more they team in the same. I really don't get how or why we have an exhibition game against a DIV 1 rival from just across the river a month into the regular season. I don't understand if this game counts in the PAIRWISE
 
To a couple of your points:
I'm assuming that both teams used this as an opportunity to give ice time to bubble players, try new personnel pairings, play the backup goalies, etc. So, I don't read much into this. FWIW, H outsbot NU 32-18.

Meanwhile, Bentley took UMass to OT.
 
RossiRules said:
You beat UMass away then lose to Harvard at Home in an exhibition ? The more things change the more they team in the same. I really don't get how or why we have an exhibition game against a DIV 1 rival from just across the river a month into the regular season. I don't understand if this game counts in the PAIRWISE
Click to expand...
It appeared their intention was to play the game like a real game for the first 10 minutes, and TBH, they looked very good, high energy fun to watch. After that, they pulled Zacher for Q, rolled a lot of new faces for the rest of the game. With about 8 minutes left, they swapped out Q for DellaRusso. The game does not count for anything.

The one thing i couldn't understand is why Harvard put in their backup with about 10 minutes left, then put the starter back in with 4-2 lead with only 4 seconds left (If i am remembering that correctly).
 
Last edited:
I don't know if we should have won, but we did. They got out shot 35 to 14 but our guys forced many of those shots to the outside in lanes. They blocked a ton and just were pesky little skaters. If we played them 10x they might win 9 but not tonight. In the new system of ranking this win is huge. Nice job huskies. Also nice to see a fairly sold out barn outside of the ejection seats.
 
Last edited:
Went to BC Friday, Arena last night. The contrast in how each team played against DU was striking. BC gave up at least 4 goals due to fundamentally bad hockey. NU was diligent, smart, aggressive, disruptive and composed. Zacher was outstanding. NU cashed in one of their few excellent chances. The win at UMass and last nights game have me hoping the Harvard exhibition game was just an odd night.
 
PullTheGoalie said:
Went to BC Friday, Arena last night. The contrast in how each team played against DU was striking. BC gave up at least 4 goals due to fundamentally bad hockey. NU was diligent, smart, aggressive, disruptive and composed. Zacher was outstanding. NU cashed in one of their few excellent chances. The win at UMass and last nights game have me hoping the Harvard exhibition game was just an odd night.
Click to expand...
I was worried after the Harvard game but other posters set me straight. Coach treated the Harvard game as a non event and skated virtually the entire roster. Now that the Pairwise is gone that game meant nothing. He skated kids that never play
 
Split-N said:
...And Lawton Zacher came up big when he had to, especially in the third period but too early to anoint him as a worthy successor to Cayden Primeau and Devon Levi. We'll see...
Click to expand...

Well, we saw. The shutout against the defending national champs says a lot, especially the couple of saves he made while he was flat on his back. On the offensive side of things, thought they could have had another goal or two if they didn't make the extra pass looking for that perfect shot. But I'll take this, warts and all.

Looking ahead, BC seems uncommonly mortal so far but it's still BC. This weekend's home-and-home will be huge for both teams.
 
RossiRules said:
Now that the Pairwise is gone that game meant nothing.
Click to expand...
Exhibition games in the NPI era are the same as during the PWR era. Pairwise being replaced by NPI doesn't change anything there.

I'd expect a split between BC and NU this weekend. If BC can manage a sweep I'd be impressed and would have some optimism. Goaltending is iffy and probably will be for the whole season. If NU sweeps BC, it would say a lot about each team and the long-term direction each program is headed.

One last ride in the old barn.
 
Nick Papagiorgio said:
Exhibition games in the NPI era are the same as during the PWR era. Pairwise being replaced by NPI doesn't change anything there.

I'd expect a split between BC and NU this weekend. If BC can manage a sweep I'd be impressed and would have some optimism. Goaltending is iffy and probably will be for the whole season. If NU sweeps BC, it would say a lot about each team and the long-term direction each program is headed.

One last ride in the old barn.
Click to expand...
Note that Louka Cloutier, who has been played 4 0f the first 5 games, was originally committed to NU ( as was LeTourneau) to be our 3rd goalie. Late in the spring he decommitted for a better offer (certainly more PT and scholarship $ +). I watched him play vs. Denver on Friday, since NU was idle.
Denver put up six + an EN against him. At least 3 might be considered softies. BC's D made his life miserable with many D zone giveaways that gave the Pios grade "A" opportunities. BC has plenty of offensive capability, but the D has to be sharper if the team hopes to live up to expectations.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top