Farrance showing power for Boston University

Boston University may have experienced a roller coaster first half of the season at 6-6-5 but the bell-weather of the squad is junior defenseman David Farrance, who has arguably been performing at an All-American level.

“Obviously, he’s about as hot a player as I can ever remember. He’s playing really poised, really effective. He’s playing on a whole other level, right now, especially on the power play. He’s got the ability to be a difference-maker,” said BU coach Albie O’Connell. “I think one of the reasons why he’s playing so well is because he’s playing better defense, which has gone under the radar a little bit with all his scoring. But his gaps are tighter. He’s also better on the bench. He’s become quite a leader for us.”

Farrance, a Nashville Predators draft pick from Victor, N.Y., has embraced his role.

“Usually, if you play defense then the offense will come. I’ve tried to play tighter gap in the neutral zone because sometimes that gives you a better chance to pick-off passes. I watch a lot of NHL games and watch myself on tape to try to pick up little things where I can improve,” he said.

Farrance has eight power play goals and is tied with Sacred Heart’s Austin McIlmurray for the national lead. The eight power plays goals are more than 12 Division 1 teams have in entirety. Farrance’s 10 goals and 12 assists in 17 games has surpassed his total points of 20 (4 goals, 16 assists) in 37 games a year ago. Farrance is the first BU blueliner to score multiple goals in back-to-back games, which he accomplished in the Providence series earlier this season on Nov. 8-9.

In the past 10 years, BU has twice had only one play with more extra-man tallies and each time it was nine. Those players were Ahti Oksanen (2014-2015) and center Wade Megan (2011-2012). The most this century is 14 by Saugus native Jason Lawrence during the 20008-09 NCAA title season.

Question of the Week: Two ex-Beanpotters and current Bruins played in the past for Team USA in the World Juniors. Who are they? Answer below.

Slapshots: Six players co-lead Tufts in scoring with four points. They are senior forward Cooper Stahl (team-high 4 assists), senior defenseman Jordan Haney (1 goal), junior forwards Ed Hannon (2 goals), and Charley Borek (1 goal), and sophomore forwards Justin Brandt (team-best 3 goals), and Brendan Skarda (1 goal). Borek is the son of Merrimack hockey coach Scott Borek, Skarda’s dad, Randy, played briefly in the NHL, and also was on the University of Minnesota team that lost to Harvarrd, 4-3 in overtime in the 1989 NCAA Championship. Legendary Vermont player and NHL all-star John LeClair’s son Cal is a sophomore forward who has appeared in five games for the Jumbos. Tufts junior forward Anthony Farinacci (1 goal) is the older brother of Harvard freshman John Farinacci (4-4-8). The Farinacci siblings are nephews of Harvard coach Donato.

No timetable for a return of injured Harvard skater R.J. Murphy, a sophomore forward from Needham and St. Sebastian’s, who was hurt in the loss to BC. Murphy’s dad, John played on Harvard’s 1989 NCAA champs….UMass has raised new banners honoring Hobey Baker winner Cale Makar and all-time leading scorer Pat Keenan.

Norwich senior forward Amanda Conway of Methuen is making a run at the Div. 3 scoring title and has 10 goals, 8 assists for 18 points, one point behind leader Katelyn Brown of Neumann. Conway posted 30 goals in 28 games a year ago. If either falters, Endicott senior Jade Meier is close with 5-11-16 totals…Daryl Watts, who won the Patty Kazmaier Award as a BC freshman, is now at Wisconsin and running away with national scoring honors with 18 goals, 31 assists and 49 points in 20 games. Fellow Badgers Abby Roque (16-25-41) and Sophie Shirley (18-20-38) make it a 1-2-3.

On the men’s side, Curry center Michael Curran (8-15-23) of Arlington is one point up on Northland blueliner Kyle Pouncy (4-18-22)…When it comes to the duffle-bags, Norwich senior Tom Aubrun (8-2-0, 0.90 GAA, and .964 SP), Trinity senior Tedy Loughborough (4-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .960 SP) of Wellesley and Babson sophomore Aidan Murphy (5-0-1, 1.14 GAA, .960 SP) of Walpole rank as the top three.

Big efforts turned in by UMass-Boston freshman forward Cailey Kozich (3-2-5) in 6-0 over New England College, Anna Maria sophomore forwards Jack Sitzman (5-2-7) and Sam Cyr-Ledoux (1-6-7), who each had seven points while tying Plymouth State, 3-3, and beating Post, 6-3. Also, Salem State senior Sean Cleary of Barnstable had to work for a 3-0 shutout win against Worcester State with 47 saves…Castleton State upset Norwich, 2-1, on the road behind 54 saves from freshman Brandon Collett of Brockton.

Quiz answer: BU’s Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk. Drop the puck!

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/36fa7aM