In one of the best college hockey games i have ever watched, BC edged past BU on a PP goal from Tommy Cross just 3:17 into OT to send Jack Parker and BU to the consolation game for just the third time in 25 years! BC was led by strong performances from Jimmy Hayes, Bill Arnold, Philip Samuelsson, and of course the top players Gibbons AND Atkinson. In what will most likely be his last game vs. BU, Joe Whitney did not have his strongest performance. He made some bad no look passes, not good shots on net, and did not play well in his own zone. BC struck first at 14:37 when Samuelsson netted his 3rd goal in two games. The goal came as a result of some great hustle from the fourth line of Bill Arnold, Barry Almeida and Patrick Brown. Just 37 second later however Wade Megan put the puck past Muse on a great dish from Garrett Noonan to tie the game at 1 at the end of 1.
In the second, BU dominated the first half of the period. The Terriers were finally rewarded with a goal from Corey Trivino at 2:17 to give Jack Parkers crew the 1 goal lead. BC generated a lot of quality opportunities through the period but could not get the puck past Millian who made 37 saves on the night. At the end of the second stanza, BU still had the 1 goal lead with 20 minutes to play. Of the 4 games between BU and BC, this was definitely BU's best performance. They had many chances to take the commanding 2 goal lead but could not thanks to John Muse. \
The third period wasn't just an ordinary period of hockey. BC doing everything it could to tie the game up, but Millian stood his ground. Finally with 16 minutes left, Jimmy Hayes, who grew up watching the Beanpot tied it up for BC. It was the 13th goal of the season for Hayes who sniped one right by Millian from the slot, to get the game really started. As the period wore on, both teams went up and down the ice but were only to be denied by the opposing goaltender. Muse and Millian both played outstanding games and were probably the MVP for there respective teams.
Now you can't have a BU BC game in the Beanpot without some controversial calls. Well we had too many of them, 90% of them coming against the Eagles. Late in the second, Pat Mullane came flying in from the right circle and apparently put the puck passed Millan. Kevin Hayes crashed the net and the puck was clearly across the goal line. After a lengthy review, The Refs ruled it no goal. I didn’t know at the time that it was a goal, but when I got to see the replay it was a clear cut goal and the game should have been tied. With about 5 minutes remaining in the third, both teams were really bringing out there top guns. Chassion had just missed on a breakaway for Bu, Atkisnon and Gibbons barley missed a 2-1 opportunity. At 15:01, Tim Benedetto called what could have been the worst call I have ever seen, in calling Kevin Hayes for Cross-Checking. After BC had a great kill thanks to Atkinson, Arnold,Gibbions,J.Hayes,and Gibbions and most of all John Muse, Benedetto called yet another penalty on BC, this time it was Samuelsson for hitting from behind with 3 minitues remaining. This call was a little easier to make then the Hayes call. BU's PP certainly got its chances, Ryan Rukkia walked in from the circle only to be stoned by John Muse.
As Samuelsson was coming out of the Box, Gibbons hit him with a great pass to send him in alone and give BC the win. Samuelsson made a good move but couldn't put the backhander in and the game went into overtime. The PK for BC was the turning point of the game, as the Eagles had 2 close in opportunities to pout the game away in the final minute. The best rivalry in college hockey was heading to OT for a trip to go the Beanpot finals vs. NU.
Just 3:01 into the OT session, the refs once again blew the game, this time for the scarlet and red. Ryan Rukkia was going off for cross checking. BC sent it's second unit out with Krieder, Mullane,J.Hayes, Domulin and Cross. After a great faceoff win by J.Hayes, Tommy Cross showed why he has the best shot on the team, putting the puck past Millian at 3:17 to give BC it's biggest win of the year. If you ask me, there is not one person on that team that I would rather have scored that goal then Tommy Cross. HE his been hit with injuries in all of his three years at BC, and has not lived up to the expectations Coach York and his staff hoped he would in his first 2.5 years. Last nights goal may have just been all Cross needed to get his game back to where he and the coaching staff think it should be. I noticed that without Cross, BC really has no ironman back on D. Yes Wey is tough and physical at times, but no where near the type of physical play Cross plays with.
Cross goal sends BC to the 59th Beanpot final against the Northeastern Huskies. BC and NU will meet up 3 teams in the next 14 days. NU rolled over a struggling Harvard team 4-0. People are wondering if Harvard will ever get back into contention for Boston's tribal war. BC's next game is Friday at Providence at 7pm. We will have a report for PC and a recap of the action.
GO EAGLES
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