Boston University 2017-18 hockey schedule and predictions

Boston University is home to one of the best college hockey programs in the country. In 2017-18 they’ll be contending for another National Championship.

The Boston University Terriers are the preseason #2 team in the country. I think they’ll live up to, and even surpass expectations this year. The team’s core is extremely strong, and they have the ability to win the NCAA title in 2018. Before their season gets underway on Saturday, let’s take a look at the entire schedule. Along with the schedule, I have included whether I think they’ll win or lose each matchup. Hockey is a lot tougher to predict than football, but I did my best and we’ll see how accurate I am at the end of the season.

Along with the schedule, I have included whether I think they’ll win or lose each matchup. Hockey is a lot tougher to predict than football, but I did my best and we’ll see how accurate I am at the end of the season.

For the purpose of these predictions, I did not include exhibition games. The Terriers have one against Prince Edward Island early in the season, and one against the U.S. Under-18 team as well. Of course, I also did not go into the Hockey East or NCAA tournaments.

For some marquee games, I have included some bonus thoughts. Enjoy, and let me know how you think the Terriers will fare this season!

Schedule and Predictions

(W) (1-0-0) Sat. Sep. 30th – v. Union

(W) (2-0-0) Sun. Oct. 8th – @ Quinnipiac

Quinnipiac provides BU with a tough test very early in the season. This should be an extremely close game in Hamden, CT, but the Terriers should squeeze out a gritty one-goal win on the road.

(W) (3-0-0) Fri. Oct. 13th – v. Minnesota State

(W) (4-0-0) Sat. Oct. 14th – v. Minnesota State

(W) (5-0-0) Fri. Oct. 20th – v. UConn

(W) (6-0-0) Sat. Oct. 21st – @ UConn

(W) (7-0-0) Fri. Oct. 27th – v. Denver

(OTL) (7-0-1) Sat. Oct. 28th – @ Providence

(W) (8-0-1) Fri. Nov. 3rd – v. Providence

UConn is the Hockey East opener for BU this season, but they really can’t keep up. Their first true test in the conference will come as they take on the Providence Friars in a home-and-home November series. On the road, I’m giving Boston University their first loss of the season, in overtime. They’ll bounce back the next day though with a win on their home ice.

(W) (9-0-1)Sat. Nov. 4th – v. Northeastern

(L) (9-1-1) Fri. Nov. 10th – @ Northeastern

Another tough inner-city matchup, another home-and-home. It’s another split with BU earning the home win but losing to the Huskies in Matthews Arena.

(L) (9-2-1)Sat. Nov. 11th – v. New Hampshire

(W) (10-2-1)Fri. Nov. 17th – @ Maine

(W) (11-2-1) Sat. Nov. 18th – @ Maine

(W) (12-2-1) Sat. Nov. 25th – v. Cornell

(OTL) (12-2-2)Fri. Dec. 1st – @ Boston College

(L) (12-3-2) Sat. Dec. 2nd – v. Boston College

(L) (12-4-2) Fri. Dec. 8th – @ UMass Lowell

(W) (13-4-2) Sat. Dec. 9th – v. UMass Lowell

(OTL) (13-4-3) Sat. Jan. 6th – v. Maine

The Terriers have a tough stretch here in December and January. Boston College isn’t the power that they have been in years past, but they always bring it when they play Boston University. After dropping two games to the Eagles, the Terriers also fall to UMass Lowell, who wants the NCAA title this year as well. They earn a win at home against the River Hawks, but drop another game to Maine after the long winter break.

(W) (14-4-3) Fri. Jan. 12th – @ New Hampshire

(W) (15-4-3) Sat. Jan. 13th – v. Providence

(W) (16-4-3) Fri. Jan. 19th – @ Merrimack

(W) (17-4-3) Sat. Jan. 20th – v. Merrimack

(W) (18-4-3) Fri. Jan. 26th – @ Arizona State

(W) (19-4-3) Sat. Jan. 27th – @ Arizona State

At this point, the Terriers are on a roll in January. Even traveling as far as Arizona State, they find ways to win. BU is on a collision course with top Hockey East teams as the end of the season nears.

(W) (20-4-3) Fri. Feb. 2nd – @ UMass

(W) (21-4-3) Mon. Feb. 5th – v. Harvard (Beanpot)

Harvard beat BU in the Beanpot final last season. The Terriers avenge that loss with a win here in the semifinals of the Boston tournament.

(W) (22-4-3) Fri. Feb. 9th – v. UMass

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(W) (23-4-3) Mon. Feb. 12th – v. Boston College/Northeastern (Beanpot)

I think this will be a BC-BU final in the Beanpot, with the Terriers coming out on top. This certainly makes up for the two losses to Boston College earlier in the season.

(W) (24-4-3) Fri. Feb. 16th – @ UConn

(L) (24-5-3) Sat. Feb. 17th – @ Merrimack

(W) (25-5-3) Fri. Feb. 23rd – v. Vermont

(W) (26-5-3) Sat. Feb. 24th – v. Vermont

After a loss to Merrimack, Boston University closes out the regular season on a high note, throttling Vermont as they head into the conference tournament.

Can they win it all?

So, I clearly think Boston University is going to be very successful in 2017-18, but just how far can they go?

Next: New England teams take over USCHO top-20 hockey rankings

They absolutely have a shot to win the NCAA title this season, returning the trophy to New England for the first time since Providence’s win in 2015. I honestly think we could see an all-New England Frozen Four final in St. Paul. The UMass Lowell River Hawks area another favorite of mine this year, but the Boston University Terriers would likely be able to edge them out. Agree? Disagree? Let us know on Twitter @CAndCFansided!

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