1st Period: BC v. Northeastern
The first period started out at a decent pace, with both teams trading chances up and down the ice for the first 5 minutes of the game. At the 5 minute mark Boston College lead the game in chances, featuring two separate one on none chances. Northeastern remained opportunistic and was able to draw first blood 13:48, on a rebound chance set up on a short side pass from Senior forward Steve Silva. The goal was scored by captain Tyler McNeely, who was able to get a lucky bounce off of an Eagle, Joe Whitney and into the net past John Muse. The Eagles were able to draw even at the 16:05 mark on a weak wrister from Senior center Brian Gibbons. Gibbons took a feed from Cam Atkinson behind the net and shot a puck on edge at the net and was able to find a hole past goaltender Chris Rawlings. The rest of the period came down to neutral zone possession and missed opportunities entering the attacking zone for both teams.
Shots: BC-10 NU-8
P.S.
BC mascot 1 – Northeastern mascot - 0
UPDATED: 2nd Period: BC v Northeastern
In what was a penalty filled 2nd period, BC ended up capitalizing on their opportunities. The action for the most part on even strength was back and forth between the two teams but Northeastern was guilty of 4 penalties while BC was guilty of 3. BC got on the board first at the 6:56 mark of the second period on a power play goal by left winger Kevin Hayes. In what was a tic-tac goal set up by Hayes’ older brother Jimmy and Pat Mullane, Kevin Hayes finished off the crisp passing going low glove side on Rawlings, to make it 2-1 BC. Not too long after that goal by Hayes, Northeastern capitalized on a turnover in the neutral zone and Wade MacLeod beat John Muse far side low. MacLeod picked up speed down the left side and fired a sharp wrister from the left face-off dot, tying it up 2-2 less than a minute later. After these goals, the game started to shift to more physical play and more penalties started to amass. Matching roughing penalties saw the two teams skating 4 on 4 for two minutes. BC capitalized on the open ice play and Steven Whitney put on a fine display of stick handling and strength. Falling down, Whitney unleashed a powerful backhand, going to shelf on Rawlings making in 3-2 BC. As the period came to a close BC was rewarded with yet another power play and did not disappoint as they moved the puck out to point man Tommy Cross who then positioned himself on the half wall and fired a wrister short side top shelf beating the goaltender, and giving BC the 4-2 lead. It was Crosses 7th goal of the year as he is known more as a defensive presence for the Eagles. The Huskies have changed goaltenders for the third period as #31 Clay Witt is between the pipes.
Shots BC- 17 NU-14
Third Period and Final Review
Another penalty saddle period saw the Eagles nearly blow a 3 goal lead to the Northeastern Huskies. The Eagles were able to pull out to a 5-2 lead with about 12 minutes to play and from there it looked like BC was in the drivers seat. Turned out that wasn’t the case as the Eagles had some untimely penalties that saw them 2 men down for a solid 4 minutes in the 3rd period. If it weren’t for some very timely saves from Senior goaltender John Muse, the Eagles were looking at an overtime game or even worse a defeat with 3:34 to play. Northeastern took a chance and with a two-man advantage, they pulled their goalie giving them a 6 on 3 with an opportunity to pull within 2 goals. The risk paid off as the Huskies scored a quick goal from the point and pulled within 2 goals. The Eagles were victimized with another penalty and this gave the Huskies another powerplay chance. Northeastern scored another goal at 18:57 off the stick of Wade MacLeod, his second of the game, and it brought the Huskies within a goal with less than a minute to play in the game. John Muse made the biggest save of the game with 30 seconds to go with the help of Brian Gibbons in front of the net. Northeastern center Steve Silva had a clear shot at the net between the dots, and with a diving effort by Gibbons was able to alter the shot enough for Muse to get a shoulder on it and deflect it over the net. What turned out to be a great comeback by the Huskies was cut short and all momentum was lost when Braden Pimm was called for a slashing penalty at 19:47. Give credit where credit is due, and John Muse would have to be the star of the game. He was shorthanded most of the game and ended up facing 37 shots, stopping 33.
Boston College was able to hold on and advance to the Hockey East Final for the 13th time in 27-year history of the Hockey East. Boston College advances to tomorrow night and plays the eventual winner of #4 Merrimack and #2 New Hampshire.
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