BOSTON COLLEGE EDGES PAST MASSACHUSETTS, 2-1
Senior forward Kevin Hayes nets game-winning goal for Eagles

Senior forward Kevin Hayes scored the power-play goal for the Eagles

AMHERST, Mass. - Despite a stellar performance by freshman goaltender Mac Haight with 31 saves in his first collegiate start, #7 Boston College used a pair of second period goals to skate past UMass hockey, 2-1 on Friday night at the Mullins Center. Following the loss, the Minutemen sit at 3-7-1 overall, 1-4-1 in Hockey East, while the Eagles improve to 7-2-1 overall and remain undefeated in league play at 4-0-0.

Senior Branden Gracel provided the lone tally of the night for the Minutemen, his fourth of the season to match Troy Power and Steven Iacobellis for the team lead. Sophomore Shane Walsh and senior Colin Shea recorded their first and fifth assists of the year, respectively.

UMass jumped out to a 1-0 lead late in the first period as Gracel drove home a rebound from Walsh and Shea at the right post at the 18:12 mark.

However, the Eagles came through with the equalizer 9:25 into the second. Johnny Gaudreau one-timed home a feed through the slot from Isaac MacLeod. Bill Arnold earned an assist on the play, as well.

Boston College then climbed in front with a power-play goal 13:42 into the stanza. Kevin Hayes buried a rebound off the post from Danny Linell and Ryan Fitzgerald.

With 16:12 remaining in the third period, Iacobellis sent a pass ahead to Power for a score with the Minutemen on the power play. However, the goal was reviewed following an Eagles' timeout and called back for offsides.

Boston College finished with a 33-29 advantage in shots and went 1-for-5 on the power-play, while UMass was 0-for-7. The Minutemen won 35 of 69 faceoffs in the contest, paced by a 13-for-20 effort by Iacobellis.

Brian Billett made 28 saves in net for the Eagles, including 11 in the third period as UMass out-shot Boston College, 11-5 in the frame.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow night in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. at Conte Forum.


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