Senior forward Ron Greco had three goals and an assist for the Eagles
Greco Hat Trick Leads Boston College Past Vermont, 8-3
Senior forward Ron Greco had three goals and an assist for the Eagles

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Ron Greco scored his first career hat trick and fourth-ranked Boston College extended its nation-best winning streak to 10 following an 8-3 Hockey East victory over Vermont on Saturday afternoon to begin the second half at Kelley Rink.

The Eagles improved to 6-2-0 in conference play and 12-4-0 overall, while the Catamounts dropped to 3-12-2 (0-9-1 HEA). BC also pushed its winning streak to nine and unbeaten run to 12 in the series against UVM.

Greco added an assist for a career-high four points and collected his second career multi-goal game. Linemate Marc McLaughlin also registered a career-high four points on a goal and three assists as 14 different Eagles picked up at least one point.

Vermont native Ben Finkelstein posted a three assist performance, while David Cotton (1-1-2) and Mike Hardman (0-2-2) gave the Eagles five players with multi-point efforts. Logan Hutsko extended his career-high point streak to 12 games with a third period goal.

Making his first start in almost a full calendar year, senior Ryan Edquist made 26 saves in net for the win. Edquist replaced rookie Spencer Knight, who recently started for Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic.

Boston College was 2-for-3 on the power play, scoring both tallies in the third period and improving to 15-for-37 (40.5%) during the winning streak. Vermont was 1-for-5 with the man advantage.

BC held a 39-29 edge in shots on goal, including a 16-7 advantage in the third.


SCORING SUMMARY

1st 4:59, UVM Goal (0-1) • Boston College blocked an Andrew Lucas drive from the high slot, but the rebound kicked into the low right circle for Vlad Dzhioshvili who whipped a low shot past Edquist.

1st 10:18, BC Goal (1-1) • McLaughlin's forecheck sent the puck behind the UVM net for Matt Boldy, who slid a pass above the goal line for Greco to one-time high short side on Stefanos Lekkas (31 saves).

1st 17:24, BC Goal (2-1) • Hardman won possession back for the Eagles with a heavy hit in the right corner as Alex Newhook carried the puck to the half wall. Newhook fed a wide open Hardman at the top of the crease and the freshman spun to find Aapeli Räsänen for an easy tap-in at the right post.

1st 17:45, BC Goal (3-1) • Patrick Giles blocked a clearing attempt at the left point and sent a low shot on target. Greco got a piece of the shot and McLaughlin quickly sent a low shot around Lekkas' left pad for BC's second goal in 21 seconds.

2nd 5:01, UVM Goal (3-2) • Alex Esposito one-handed a backhand pass into the slot from the back wall for Simon Boyko, who beat Edquist five-hole for his first career goal.

2nd 16:59, BC Goal (4-2) • McLaughlin cycled the puck off the back of the net to Greco, who quickly angled a shot off Lekkas from below the goal line for his second of the night.

3rd 1:09, BC Goal (5-2) • Following a net-front scramble, Finkelstein slid a pass across the zone to defense partner Jesper Mattila for a wrist shot that beat Lekkas through heavy traffic.

3rd 3:31, BC Goal (6-2) • On a transition rush, Cotton found Hutsko on the weak side in the left circle and the junior settled the puck before picking out the top right corner glove side.

3rd 7:21, BC Goal (7-2) • From the right wing boards, Julius Mattila wristed a pass to the top of the crease for Cotton, who tipped the puck between Lekkas' pads for his ninth of the year.

3rd 11:41, UVM Goal (7-3) • Jacques Bouquot fired an interior pass to Ace Cowans in the BC slot, and the forward deked forehand before beating Edquist high glove side.

3rd 17:17, BC Goal (8-3) • McLaughlin drifted to the top of the right wing circle before wristing a low shot on goal, and Greco's deflection sent the puck low blocker side into the UVM net.


UP NEXT

The Eagles face No. 9 UMass in a home-and-home series next weekend, beginning on Friday (Jan. 10) at 7 p.m. in Chestnut Hill on NESN.

Game Summary

Saturday, January 4, 2020

3
8
Game statistics
29 Shots 39
1 / 5 Power Plays 2 / 3
4 / 8 PIM 7 / 22
3-12-2 Records 12-4-0
GOAL SCORERS
Vermont Boston College
Vlad Dzhioshvili (3)
1st/4:59 PP
Ron Greco (1)
1st/10:18
Aapeli Räsänen (9)
1st/17:24
Marc McLaughlin (2)
1st/17:45
Simon Boyko (1)
2nd/5:01
Ron Greco (2)
2nd/16:59  GW
Jesper Mattila (1)
3rd/1:09
Logan Hutsko (9)
3rd/3:31
David Cotton (9)
3rd/7:21 PP
Ace Cowans (6)
3rd/11:41
Ron Greco (3)
3rd/17:17 PP
GOALTENDERS
Vermont Boston College
Stefanos Lekkas
59:59, 31 Saves, 8 GA
(L, 3-12-2)

Empty Net
0:01, 0 GA
Ryan Edquist
60:00, 26 Saves, 3 GA
(W, 1-0-0)