Boston University Clinches Series Victory Over Syracuse in Thrilling Hockey Series Sweep

BOSTON – No. 3/4-ranked Michigan State hockey completed the series sweep of consensus No. 1-ranked Boston University on Saturday night, taking down the Terriers in overtime, 4-3, at Agganis Arena. Junior Shane Vansaghi prevented a BU shot from crossing the goal line with 80 seconds remaining in OT, setting up senior Matt Bagall for the ensuing game-winning goal on the other end.
“Heck of a weekend,” said Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale. “Tonight was about as good of a college hockey game as you’re going to see. I thought it was a really good response out of BU, obviously they’re a really good team. We knew they were going to be a lot sharper the second night. Trey (Augustine) was really good for us. Tough to go to overtime when you have a 3-1 lead so learned some lessons there, but a big time play by Shane (Vansaghi) at the end to negate the puck crossing the goal line and big-time execution by Ryker (Lee) over Bazzy (Matt Basgall) to finish the game.”
MSU improves to 3-1-0 following the sweep, handing BU its first two losses of the season as they fall to 2-2-1. Michigan State is now 5-1-1 against consensus No. 1-ranked teams under Nightingale. The Spartans return to the ice next weekend in the Upper Peninsula where they’ll take on Northern Michigan on October 24-25.
Shots on goal were deadlocked at 34-34 on Saturday with Michigan State posting a sizable 14-7 advantage in the first period. MSU was a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
The Spartans got goals from freshman Ryker Leefreshman Porter Martonejunior Tommi Mannisto and Basgall. Martone and Lee each tallied two points adding one assist apiece. Senior Daniel Russellfreshman Anthony Romanifreshman Eric Nilson and Vansaghi also recorded assists.
Junior goaltender Trey Augustine made a season-high 31 saves, earning his 45th career victory in the Green & White and giving him the ninth-most career wins by a Spartan netminder.
How It Happened

Lee got the scoring started for Michigan State in the first period, finding his first career goal at the 8:46 mark. Lee used slick stick skills to maneuver through the Terrier defense and snuck the puck under the crossbar to put the Spartans ahead early.

Straight up FILTH from Ryker Lee 🤮@MSU_Hockey | @PredsNHL pic.twitter.com/uhBg0IS3a8

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 18, 2025

Michigan State shined on the penalty kill in the second, killing three Terrier power plays in the period. A handful of saves by Augustine in front of the net kept BU off the board late in the frame. Martone gave MSU 2-0 cushion with under a minute to play in the period, collecting a loose puck in front of the BU goal and slotting it home for his first career goal.

P2 | 19:01 | MSU 2 – BU 0

It was only a matter of time! Porter Martone puts us ahead 2-0 late in the second with his first official collegiate goal! pic.twitter.com/xRUgFN27c4

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) October 19, 2025

The Terriers responded with a goal of their own at the 2:13 mark of the third period, but Michigan State got a quick response from Mannisto just 40 seconds later. Martone intercepted the puck as BU started to transition down ice and found Mannisto waiting to capitalize. A pair of Terrier goals with less than seven minutes to play in regulation forced Saturday’s contest into overtime.

P3 | 2:53 | MSU 3 – BU 1

Tommi Mannisto with the quick answer to put us up 3-1 in the third! Porter Martone with his second point of the night on the assist. pic.twitter.com/xZLvFtcrzz

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) October 19, 2025

Playing in its first overtime game of the season, Michigan State nearly finished things just 13 seconds into the 3-on-3 period when Russell’s shot was saved by BU goaltender Mikhail Yegorov. Terrier forward Cole Eiserman thought he had a game-winning goal of his own at the 3:42 mark, but his shot was swept off the goal line by Vansaghi following the initial save from Augustine. Lee and Basgall got back in transition where Lee found Basgall for the game-winning goal on a one-timer. Officials went back to review Vansaghi’s save, confirming no BU goal as the Spartans rushed onto the ice in celebration.

Shane Vansaghi made the GAME-WINNING save in overtime to prevent a Terrier goal! pic.twitter.com/GsM5imL4tg

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) October 19, 2025

OUR CAPTAIN WINS IT IN OT!

Matt Basgall with overtime goal sends the Spartans home happy! pic.twitter.com/eB55Y8OnsK

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) October 19, 2025

What specific adjustments did Boston University Head Coach Jay Pandolfo make between Game 1 and Game 2 that contributed to the series sweep?

Game 1: Terriers Dominate Orange in Series Opener

The Boston University Terriers kicked off their weekend series against the Syracuse Orange with a decisive 5-2 victory on Friday night. A strong offensive showing, led by sophomore forward Macklin Celebrini, set the tone for the weekend. Celebrini notched two goals, showcasing his elite skill and solidifying his position as a top NHL prospect.

Key takeaways from game 1:

* Power Play Prowess: BU capitalized on two of their four power play opportunities,demonstrating improved special teams performance.

* Goaltending Stability: Senior goaltender Drew Commesso stopped 28 of 30 shots, providing a steady presence in net for the Terriers.

* Syracuse Struggles: The Orange struggled to generate consistent offensive pressure, managing only 30 shots on goal.This was a key factor in their loss.

* Celebrini’s Impact: Celebrini’s two goals were pivotal, highlighting his importance to the Terriers’ offensive attack. He is a key player in college hockey.

Game 2: nail-Biting Finish Secures the Sweep

Saturday’s game was a much tighter affair, ultimately ending in a 3-2 overtime win for Boston University. The Orange put up a fierce fight, forcing the Terriers to battle until the very end.Freshman defenseman Case Study, Ryan Greene, scored the game-winning goal in overtime, sending the Agganis Arena crowd into a frenzy.

Overtime Drama and Key Plays

The overtime period was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams creating scoring chances. Greene’s goal came off a beautiful feed from Celebrini, showcasing the chemistry between the two young stars. The winning goal was a testament to BU’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure.

Syracuse’s Response and Competitive Spirit

Despite the loss, Syracuse demonstrated notable improvement from Game 1.They tightened up defensively and created more offensive opportunities. However, they were ultimately unable to overcome the Terriers’ strong goaltending and clutch scoring.

Player Performances & Standout Stats

Throughout the series, several players stood out for their exceptional performances:

* Macklin celebrini (BU): 3 goals, 2 assists – Celebrini was the clear offensive catalyst for the Terriers. His performance earned him Hockey East Player of the Week honors.

* Drew Commesso (BU): .933 save percentage – Commesso’s consistent goaltending was crucial to BU’s success.

* Ryan Greene (BU): Game-winning overtime goal – Greene’s clutch goal secured the series sweep for the Terriers.

* Anthony Del Gaizo (Syracuse): 2 goals – Del Gaizo was the orange’s leading scorer in the series,providing a spark on offense.

Coaching Strategies and Tactical Adjustments

Boston University Head Coach Jay Pandolfo emphasized the importance of disciplined play and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. His adjustments between games, notably focusing on defensive zone coverage, proved effective. Syracuse Head Coach Mike Harder focused on improving his team’s offensive zone entries and power play execution, but ultimately, the Orange couldn’t find enough consistent offense.

Implications for the Hockey East standings

This series sweep considerably boosts Boston University’s position in the Hockey East standings. The Terriers now have a strong record and are well-positioned to contend for the conference championship. Syracuse, on the other hand, will need to regroup and focus on improving their consistency to climb the standings. The Hockey East conference is highly competitive, and every game matters.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Schedules

* Boston University: Faces UMass Lowell next weekend in a crucial Hockey East matchup.

* Syracuse: Hosts Colgate University for a non-conference series.

Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz

The series generated significant buzz on social media,with fans from both schools expressing their excitement and opinions. The hashtag #BUvsSYR trended on Twitter throughout the weekend. The atmosphere at Agganis Arena was electric, with fans creating a lively and supportive environment for the Terriers. College hockey fans are passionate and engaged.