BOSTON – The fourth line came up with both goals for Northeastern on Tuesday night as the Huskies skated past Boston College, 2-1, in front of 2,621 spectators at Matthews Arena.
Left wing Jacov Novak’s goal 2:45 into the second period was the difference. The Windsor, Ontario, native picked off an errant breakout pass right inside the BC clue line. From there, he drove the net and cut left to right before lifting a backhand past the outstretched glove of Eagles goaltender Mitch Benson.
The Huskies took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission on a goal from right wing Matt Choupani, who cashed in on a loose puck sitting atop the crease. The initial shot on net came from defenseman Hunter McDonald before Liam Walsh took a swipe at putting it past Benson. Both players picked up an assist on the play.
Boston College was only able to beat Northeastern star goaltender Devon Levi once. In the second period, right wing Connor Joyce was skating low to high in the attacking zone. He spun around and flung a wrist shot on net that was redirected past Levi by left wing Christian O’Neill.
Three takeaways
- If it weren’t for Levi, there’s no way Northeastern would have won the game. The Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec, native stopped 29 of the 30 shots he faced, but many were of the grade ‘A’ variety. He helped kill all four Boston College power play attempts.
- There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Boston College outcompeted and outplayed Northeastern on Tuesday night. A few of Northeastern’s high draft picks seemed disinterested and floating around on their own island. The Huskies have the talent and the star goaltender to make a run, but there needs to be better buy-in from all their top players.
- Matthews Arena is one of my favorite places to watch a game. There are a lot of great seats, including the first row of the balcony, the best spot to watch a game in Hockey East from a sightline standpoint. It’s a classic, old barn with a great student section that gets into the game. My biggest gripe, and it’s been this way for a couple of years, is how much blared-in noise there is. Let the band and the student section dominate the atmosphere, not piped in music and interviews. The fan experience speaks for itself at Matthews and there doesn’t need to be that minor-league nonsense.
Prospect notes
Devon Levi
Northeastern, 12/27/01, G, catches left, 6-0/190
NHL: Buffalo Sabres (Florida Panthers, 2020, 7th round, 212th overall)
Levi is the top NHL prospect on Northeastern and played like it Tuesday night. He did a good job tracking pucks and made a handful of saves on shots from point-blank range. He stayed calm and came up clutch on a few wild scrambles during BC power plays. His height is the only issue that anyone could have with him after watching this game. His save percentage increased to .951 in Hockey East games.
Hunter McDonald
Northeastern, 5/11/02, D, left shot, 6-4/215
NHL: Philadelphia Flyers (2022, 6th round, 165th overall)
There are other higher picks on this team, but McDonald is the safe bet to make the NHL and have a prolonged career. The Fairport, N.Y., native doesn’t get time on the power play, but he logs big minutes at even strength and on the penalty kill. He had two key blocked shots on Tuesday night. McDonald doesn’t have an elite stick, but his ability to jump into the offense and contribute on the score sheet has steadily improved. His secondary assist on the first goal came on a good keep as he was pinching down the wall. He wasted no time by firing a hard, low shot on net. He plays physically and has a mean streak.
https://twitter.com/GoNUmhockey/status/1620581874686103554?s=20&t=GGosJiHWBV8v_mRovMW9dg
Jack Williams
Northeastern, 3/2/02, RW, right shot, 5-11/174
Williams doesn’t have the natural ability that a number of other Northeastern forwards have, but no one competed harder than him throughout the game. He was noticeable a few times earlier in the game, whether it be by hunting pucks or winning battles along the wall. However, his solid play was rewarded in the game’s final four minutes. His hustle drew two BC penalties that all but squashed any chance of a comeback by the visitors. The first penalty drawn with a little over three minutes to go came when he forced a turnover and separated just enough with the puck to cause BC captain Marshall Warren to take a hooking infraction. The second one came in the offensive zone when he beat BC defenseman Lukas Gustafsson to a puck on the right wing wall, which resulted in the latter taking a cross-checking penalty. Williams, from Biddeford, Maine, is a great example of why it benefits players and colleges to have recruits simmer in the USHL. He came to Northeastern after playing 186 games in the USHL with Muskegon. It’s given him a leg up on a number of others who rushed into school.
Cutter Gauthier
Boston College, 1/19/04, C, left shot, 6-2/193
NHL: Philadelphia Flyers (2022, 1st round, 5th overall)
Gauthier didn’t score on Tuesday night, but he had a few shifts that exemplified why he was the fifth overall pick in the most recent NHL draft. The Scottsdale, Ariz., native has the size, length and strength to protect pucks, drive the middle of the ice, and get off quality shot attempts. He’s able to lower his shoulder, throw his hip out, and keep the puck away from opposing defenders.
Trevor Kuntar
Boston College, 6/20/01, C/LW, left shot, 6-0/200
NHL: Boston Bruins (2020, 3rd round, 89th overall)
Kuntar was listed as a left wing on the line chart, but took 11 draws on Tuesday night. He won 10 of those. The Buffalo, N.Y., native has gotten better this season and has impressed in each viewing of the Eagles. The junior is on pace to have his most productive season at BC. He’s already picked up 18 points this season after going from 10 his freshman year to 20 as a sophomore. I’m still not convinced he ever plays in the NHL, but at the very least, he should provide some solid organizational depth with the Providence Bruins.
Marshall Warren
Boston College, 4/20/01, D, left shot, 6-0/180
NHL: Minnesota Wild (2019, 5th round, 166th overall)
Warren would obviously like the turnover back that forced him to take a penalty with just over three minutes to play in the game. Otherwise, he was good, had a presence, and generated possession. He finished the night with six shots on goal, most of anyone in the game. The Laurel Hollow, N.Y., native has always been an athletic, strong-skating defender. His game has continued to evolve and mature.
