Northeastern vs. Boston College
BOSTON, MA - Boston College overcame an early deficit, shaky goaltending, some questionable calls and a late charge by Northeastern to advance to their 15th Hockey East championship and their sixth in seventh years.
Senior captain Tyler McNeely opened the scoring for Northeastern at 13:48 of the first period when he knocked a puck into BC’s Joe Whitney and into the Boston College net. The Huskies had numerous chances when John Muse wasn’t able to control rebounds early on, but weren’t able to extend their lead.
Boston College senior Brian Gibbons responded with a goal of his own at 16:05 of the first, and after one the two teams were tied, despite Northeastern having controlled play in the BC end for much of the period.
They weren’t able to sustain the energy in the second, however, as a series of bad penalties led to BC power play goals by Kevin Hayes and Tommy Cross, and a third goal by Steven Whitney, which the sophomore from Reading, MA scored on the backhand, reaching across his body while being taken to the ice by Northeastern’s Jamie Oleksiak. The shot crossed up Huskies netminder Chris Rawlings, who watched the puck soar above his left shoulder.
Rawlings was pulled in favor of Clay Witt after the second period, and Northeastern responded how they’ve always responded in front of the freshman goalie all season long: with vigor and energy. Despite allowing another goal to Pat Mullane, the Huskies drew three Eagles penalties in 3:16. Garrett Vermeersch scored on a 6-on-3 advantage after Greg Cronin pulled Witt for the extra attacker and Wade MacLeod scored his second goal of the game with just 1:03 to play to make it a one-goal game.
BC’s power play finished 3-for-6 on the night, while Northeastern went 2-for-9.
The Huskies weren’t able to get the equalizer, however, and Muse - who stopped 33 shots on the night - earned his school-best 16th postseason win.
BOSTON, MA - Boston College overcame an early deficit, shaky goaltending, some questionable calls and a late charge by Northeastern to advance to their 15th Hockey East championship and their sixth in seventh years.
Senior captain Tyler McNeely opened the scoring for Northeastern at 13:48 of the first period when he knocked a puck into BC’s Joe Whitney and into the Boston College net. The Huskies had numerous chances when John Muse wasn’t able to control rebounds early on, but weren’t able to extend their lead.
Boston College senior Brian Gibbons responded with a goal of his own at 16:05 of the first, and after one the two teams were tied, despite Northeastern having controlled play in the BC end for much of the period.
They weren’t able to sustain the energy in the second, however, as a series of bad penalties led to BC power play goals by Kevin Hayes and Tommy Cross, and a third goal by Steven Whitney, which the sophomore from Reading, MA scored on the backhand, reaching across his body while being taken to the ice by Northeastern’s Jamie Oleksiak. The shot crossed up Huskies netminder Chris Rawlings, who watched the puck soar above his left shoulder.
Rawlings was pulled in favor of Clay Witt after the second period, and Northeastern responded how they’ve always responded in front of the freshman goalie all season long: with vigor and energy. Despite allowing another goal to Pat Mullane, the Huskies drew three Eagles penalties in 3:16. Garrett Vermeersch scored on a 6-on-3 advantage after Greg Cronin pulled Witt for the extra attacker and Wade MacLeod scored his second goal of the game with just 1:03 to play to make it a one-goal game.
BC’s power play finished 3-for-6 on the night, while Northeastern went 2-for-9.
The Huskies weren’t able to get the equalizer, however, and Muse - who stopped 33 shots on the night - earned his school-best 16th postseason win.
