Eagles Beat Lowell 5-3

Led by 2 goals from JR. Jimmy Hayes, The Boston College Eagles defeated the UMass Lowell River Hawks 5-3 Saturday night at Kelley Rink. Lowell was able to get the first goal on a wrap around by Shayne Thompson at 7:49 of the first. BC was able to get their first PP at 9:50 of the first. Jimmy Hayes then scored from the right faceoff dot at 11:38 to tie the game at 1. Although BC has one of the best first PP unit in the country, the second unit it turns out isn't not so bad either, scoring 2 of the 3 power play goals tonight. The second unit was J.Hayes, Mullane, Krieder, Dumoulin, and Tommy Cross.

After Lowell scored in the middle of the second, a PP goal, BC took control of the tempo of the game. Creating many odd man rushes, and getting lots of quality shots. Finally after Lowell took a high sticking penalty with 3 minutes left in the middle frame, Tommy Cross was able to make a great play by keeping the puck in zone walk in with it and fire one past Marc Boulanger at 18:49 of the second. All of BC’s lines were hitting on all cylinders. Even the fourth line with Kevin Hayes, Tommy Atkinson, and Barry Almeida (who made his return after one game off because of an injury) had some good shots on nets, created odd man rushes, and played well in their own zone.


One thing that BC did very well compared to last night against rival BU, was stay out of the box. The Eagles only took 3 penalties compared to last nights 9. BC did give up a PP goal when a Lowell defenseman bombed a shot from the point to beat Milner. The combinations were the same as last night with S.Whitney and Carey, Arnold and Krieder, and C.Atkinson and Gibbons. After BC got on yet another PP, Paul Carey connected from the top of the circle on a nice pass from Joe Whitney. That gave The Eagles the lead with 10 minutes to play. 5 minuets later, Gibbons found Whitney waiting at the right post and Whitney put it in to give BC a 2 goal lead. 30 seconds later after a bad turnover by Patrick Wey in his own zone, Lowell took advantage an put one past Millner with 3:42 remaining in the period. Lowell Pulled it’s goalie with about 1:30 left. After Wey, who played ok chipped it out if the zone, Jimmy Hayes assured the W on an empty net goal with 30 seconds left. BC’s next game is at Lowell Saturday 1/29/11.

Notes- The win marks Coach Jerry York’s 400th win at Boston College.

Chris Krieder extended his scoring streak to eight games.

Paker Millner earned his 13th carrer victory in goal.

BC moves to first place in Hockey East, UNH lost to Bu.

GRADES
Power Play- A. 3/3. Both units flying.

Penalty Kill-B. 2/3. Didnt get many penalties compared to last couple games.

3 stars- Cross, J.Whitney, and Jimmy Hayes.