ORONO, Maine -- Top-ranked Boston College scored two third period goals to break a 2-2 tie and defeat the University of Maine men's ice hockey team 4-2 on Friday, Nov. 2 at Alfond Arena.
Boston College opened the scoring just 54 seconds into the second period. Kevin Hayes got a pass from Destry Straight and fired a shot past Martin Ouellette's (St.-Hippolyte, Quebec) glove and into the back of the net. Patrick Wey also picked up an assist on the goal.
Maine answered back less than a minute later when Ryan Lomberg (Richmond Hill, Ontario) and Will Merchant (Eagan, Minn.) teamed up to find Devin Shore (Ajax, Ontario) along the boards. He drew the attention of the defenders, while Merchant skated all alone to the far goal post. Shore made a perfect pass to Merchant who redirected the puck past BC goalie Parker Milner for his first career goal.
Boston College took a 2-1 lead at 16:36 when Isaac MacLeod had his shot from just inside the blueline elude Maine's defense and get by Ouellette. Michael Matheson and Bill Arnold each assisted on the goal.
Maine answered back again, this time just 27 seconds later. In transition, Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) and Steven Swavely (Reading, Pa.) carried the puck up the ice. The Boston College defense was unable to control the centering pass to the front of the net and the puck deflected off Maine's Connor Leen (Chester, N.Y.). The play was reviewed and stood as a good goal, as Leen did not kick the puck into the back of the net. For Leen, it was his secon goal of the season.
Johnny Gaudreau scored the game-winning goal at 4:52 of the third period. Ouellette stopped Gaudreau's initial shot, but was unable to control the rebound. Danny Linell and Matheson both assisted on the goal.
Boston College iced the game at 19:49. Bill Arnold gained control of the puck in the defensive zone and found Steven Whitney. Whitney shot the puck into the empty net, as Maine had pulled Ouellette in favor of an extra attacker.
Maine outshot Boston College 30-23 in the game. The Eagles were 3-for-6 on the power play, while Maine was scoreless in three chances.
Maine goalie Ouellette stopped 19 shots and falls to 0-2-0 on the season. Milner made 28 saves for Boston College and improves to 5-1-0.
Maine, 1-7-0 on the season and 0-3-0 in Hockey East play, returns to action on Sunday, Nov. 4 when it hosts rival New Hampshire at 4 pm at Alfond Arena. Tickets can be purchased at www.goblackbearstickets.com. Boston College, who improves to 5-1-0 overall and in conference play, hosts UMass on Sunday afternoon.