JFK hat trick rallies BU past Union; US wins WJC Gold in shootout--UPDATED

#5 Terriers rode Jakob Forsbacka’s first collegiate hat trick to overcome #10 Union, 5-4 in overtime at Agganis Arena. The center from Stockholm tied the score at four apiece on a power play late in the third and then won the game at 2:51 of overtime for his third score of the game.

BU got off to a fast start with a pair of goals in the first nine minutes of play. Shane Switzer, who scored twice in BU’s previous game against Yale, started things off with a blueline blast on a power play with Brien Diffley and Nick Roberto assisting. Then JFK was sent in on a 2-on-1 by Bobo Carpenter to make it 2-0. However, Union’s forecheck began to create opportunities and they cashed in twice—by Luc Brown on a deflection at 13:57 and by Cole Maier at 17:05—to knot the score after one period.

The Dutchmen dominated the middle period and took their first lead on Sebastian Vidmar’s power play goal on a backdoor pass from Spencer Foo.  Three minutes later, Carpenter took advantage of a turnover to score unassisted. The 3-3 tie lasted less than five minutes when Union’s power play clicked again, with Brett Supinski scoring from the slot for a 4-3 Union advantage.

BU pressed for an equalizer in the third, outshooting the visitors, 13-8; but they weren’t rewarded until JFK connected on a high wrist shot from the left circle on a power play from Brandon Hickey and Chad Krys with three minutes left in regulation. In overtime, following a neutral zone faceoff, Forsbacka Karlsson skated up the right side, then wheeled to the high slot and fired.  His shot was stopped but he drove to the net and banged home his own rebound with Carpenter collecting his third point of the night.

Discussing his sophomore assistant captain’s performance, Coach David Quinn said:

“People talk about him being a special player, and he certainly showed why tonight. Mentally tough, great skill, strong on the puck and responsible in all three zones … You need your best players to be your best players if you got a chance to win, and he was our best player tonight.”

Union outshot BU for the game, 39-34. Both teams were 2 for 4 on power plays. Connor LaCouvee stopped 35 shots and improved his record to 3-0.

Starting the game with just 17 skaters and two goalies, BU was further shorthanded when Switzer left the game with a concussion.

Next up for BU is Saturday afternoon’s Frozen Fenway match-up with Massachusetts and the Terriers will be reinforced by the return of seven players from the World Junior Championships.

► There were 54 years of Terrier head coaches in the house as Jack Kelley (10) and Jack Parker (40) were on hand to watch Quinn’s (4) troops defeat Union. 

● GoTerriers.com recap and comprehensive box score

● Video highlights

● Post-game comments: Quinn, Forsbacka Karlsson/Carpenter
● Daily Free Press recap; Forsbacka Karlsson leads BU past Union
● Boston Hockey Blog: Three Thoughts
● SB Nation recap;  5 Takeaways from Gold Medal Performance
● Boston Herald: JFK lifts BU to overtime win
● Daily Gazette recap

World Junior Championships

In a championship game for the ages, Team USA rallied twice from two-goal deficits to defeat Canada, 5-4, in a shootout to take home gold in the 2017 World Junior Championships in Montreal.

Kieffer Bellows scored twice and US Player of the Game Charlie McAvoy score once, while Clayton Keller, Jordan Greenway and McAvoy picked up assists.

● USA Hockey recap

● IIHF recap and highlights; box score

● United State of Hockey recap/top performers

● NHL.com recap 
● The Hockey News: Gold medal game analysis

Highlights from #TeamUSA's 5-4 SO win over Canada in World Juniors gold medal game. #USAWJC
Full recap & more: https://t.co/k0nbZKj8fR pic.twitter.com/IcKhVuvsGE

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 6, 2017

Check back for more coverage of last night's World Junior Championships Gold Medal game won by Team USA, 5-4, in a dramatic shootout.