By Tim Healey/DFP Staff

For the No. 10/6 Boston University men’s hockey team, the 2011-12 season has started with some similarities to last year – including high expectations and 21 returning players – but at least one significant difference: the Terriers’ ability to finish.

Up 3-0 over the University of New Hampshire for much of the third period, the Terriers (1-0, 1-0 Hockey East) were successfully able to buckle down for the season-opening 5-0 win over the Wildcats (0-1, 0-1HE), thanks in large part to their bearing down on defense for the last 20 minutes.

“The minute we made it 3-0, I went up and down the bench and said, ‘Keep playing the same way,’” said BU head coach Jack Parker. “’Keep playing defense, first guys. Play on the defensive side of the puck. Don’t try to go get your goal now that it’s 3-0. The goals will come if you play defense first.’”

The team listened.

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