BOSTON - Kalle Eriksson scored a power play goal with 26 seconds remaining in 3-on-3 overtime on Friday night to lift New Hampshire past No. 2 Boston College 4-3 in the opening game of the second semester at Kelley Rink.
The home loss to UNH was the Eagles' first since 2010 and snapped an 11-game unbeaten streak (9-0-2) against the Wildcats at Conte Forum. BC fell to 5-2-0 on the year but picked up a league point, while New Hampshire improved to 3-3-1 with two Hockey East points.
Rookies Colby Ambrosio (5) and Nikita Nesterenko (4) scored for the Eagles in the first two periods as the game headed into the third tied 2-2. Patrick Giles' first of the year handed BC its first lead of the night 2:49 into the third, but a shorthanded goal from UNH knotted the score again four minutes later.
Boston College was called for too many men on the ice with 1:10 remaining in overtime, leading to the game-winner from Eriksson.
Alex Newhook, Matt Boldy and Drew Helleson all returned to the BC lineup after competing at the IIHF World Junior Championships, and all three posted assists. Spencer Knight got a night off for rest and was replaced for the third straight game by Henry Wilder (31 saves).
The Eagles finished the night with a 38-35 edge in shots on goal as Mike Hardman led the team with five.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 10:40, UNH (0-1) | Kohei Sato gained the Boston College zone along the right wing and beat Wilder under the pads from the top of the right wing circle.
1st 14:59, BC (1-1) | From the right goal line extended, Newhook directed a Boldy pass into the low slot for Ambrosio, who quickly finished inside the bottom left corner.
1st 15:09, UNH (1-2) | Sato centered a pass to Eric MacAdams skating between the circles and the senior deked forehand to beat Wilder around his left pad.
2nd 18:11, BC (2-2) | From the right point, Helleson picked out Nesterenko in the low left circle and the rookie tucked a shot high glove side to knot the score.
3rd 2:49, BC (3-2) | Eamon Powell threw a weak angle shot on net that was kicked out by Robinson, but Giles fired the rebound home after a deflection off Trevor Kuntar's skate.
3rd 6:55, UNH (3-3) | During a shorthanded 2-on-1, Tyler Ward floated a pass to the right doorstep and Filip Engaras one-timed a shot top shelf past a sprawling Wilder.
OT 4:34, UNH (3-4) | Jackson Pierson threaded a pass across the BC defensive zone and Eriksson directed a low shot five-hole from the left circle for the game-winner.
UP NEXT
The schools close the series on Sunday (Jan. 10) at the Whittemore Center in Durham at 4 p.m. on SportsLive.