Keller nails second top rookie award; BU remains #4 in polls

Clayton Keller, who scored twice in BU’s 4-4 tie with Northeastern Friday and assisted on a pair of goals in Saturday’s shutout win, has been named Hockey East’s Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Week.  The Swansea, Ill, native also won the Rookie award on Oct. 3 for his hat trick in the exhibition win over PEI.  Fellow freshman Patrick Harper, who scored twice in the 3-0 win, to extend his scoring streak to seven games, was named to the weekly top performers’ list.

Terriers remain #4 in the newest USCHO weekly poll and the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll, behind Minnesota-Duluth, Denver and BC. Three other Hockey East schools are in the USCHO top 20: Lowell (#5), Notre Dame (#9) and Providence (#17).

► In its first seven games, BU has faced 55 penalty kill situations, giving up just four goals, while scoring five shorthanders. BU's penalty killing percentage is .927, tops in Hockey East and third best nationally.

► Boston Hockey Blog: Five Thoughts on NU series

Looking ahead

Future Considerations’ Top 100 for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft includes three 2017 recruits--

Shane Bowers #28 (photo), David Farrance #79 and Kasper Kotkansalo #94, along with current freshman goalie Jake Oettinger #39.

Video highlights of the championship game of the Five Nations' Tournament in Plymouth, Michigan, include 2017 recruit Farrance's slap shot goal and wrist shot from the point that was rebounded home in the 3-2 win over Finland.

The Draft Analyst.com reviewed several top performers on the NTDP U18s gold-medal performance in the Five Nation’s tournament in Plymouth, Michigan, including Farrance.

LHD David Farrance (5’11, 191 – Boston U.): Farrance displayed all the makings of a pro-level defender. Not only does he possess a booming, accurate shot, but his ability to create plays off the rush keeps opponents honest. Farrance has an exceptional set of hands and can handle any pass with relative ease, especially from across the ice. He scored a key goal against the Finns via a slap shot from just inside the blueline. And his hard wrister caused a rebound that led to Scott Reedy’s game winner. One night earlier, he split all five Czech skaters with a home run pass on Sean Dhooghe’s tape for a breakaway snipe. Outside of being under six feet tall, there are literally no weaknesses to his game.

Looking back

Nick Bonino scored a short-handed goal for his first tally of the season as the Penguins blanked San Jose, 5-0.

● NHL.com recap and video

Kevin Shattenkirk assisted on three goals in the Blues’ 5-1 win over the Avalanche. The former BU captain now has 10 points (3G, 7A) in 13 games.

● NHL.com recap and video

Women’s Team

Grad student Mary Parker earned Hockey East’s Warrior Hockey Player of the Week honors following a five-point (1G, 4A) performance in BU’s weekend series with BC, including four points in the final period of Saturday’s 5-3 win. Freshman Deziray De Sousa (GWG on Saturday) and senior Alexis Crossley (3A, 8 blocks) were named to the top performers list.

● Daily Free Press: Terriers split with BC;  Defense is key factor in success

Parker leads all Hockey East skaters with 1.56 points per game. Junior Victoria Bach is third and sophomore Sammy Davis is fifth.