BOSTON, Mass. - Junior Johnny Gaudreau scored twice and senior Bill Arnold added a goal and two assists to lead Boston College to a 4-3 Hockey East victory over Notre Dame at Fenway Park on Saturday night.
The Eagles raced out to an early lead on goals by sophomore Brendan Silk and Gaudreau in the first period before the Irish knotted the game at 2-2 early in the second. The game was even again at 3-3 before Gaudreau netted the game-winner at 8:21 of the third frame.
Sophomore Michael Matheson triggered the first scoring play by tossing the puck off of Irish goalie Steven Summerhays in the slot. The rebound squirted out to Adam Gilmour on the near post for another chance. Gilmour's shot rested on the goal line and Silk banged it home for the 1-0 lead at 4:54 of the first period.
The second Eagle tally was created when Arnold won the draw cleanly and Gaudreau slipped behind the defense, opening himself up for the one-timer. Arnold crafted a no-look backhand pass through traffic to Gaudreau at the 8:54 mark.
Notre Dame fought back and closed the gap at 15:20 of the first period on a tally by Mario Lucia. Robbie Russo drove the left side of the zone and wheeled it behind the net. Russo threw it out front where Mike Voran redirected it Lucia in the slot to make it a 2-1 contest.
Bryan Rust walked the puck down the left side and quickly shifted it over to T.J. Tynan on the opposite end. Tynan ripped home the one-timer 23 seconds into the second frame to tie things up, 2-2
Arnold put the Eagles back on top with the fifth shorthanded tally of the year for Boston College. Senior Kevin Hayes broke up Notre Dame's cycle at the top of the blue line and ran it up the other side with Arnold flanking to his right. Hayes threaded the needle and connected perfectly with Arnold to roof it over Summerhayes to recapture the lead, 3-2.
The Irish responded on a broken play at 7:29 of the third after Rust ripped it past Billett's glove.
Gaudreau put the Eagles up to stay at the 8:21 mark of the final frame. Arnold started the play with a blocked shot in the Eagle zone. Hayes corralled it and drove the length of the ice, finding Gaudreau in front, who went five hole for the game winner.
Junior Brian Billett made 20 saves and improved to 9-3-1 on the season. Summerhayes made 17 saves in defeat.
The victory gives the Eagles sole possession of first place in Hockey East, surpassing their next opponent, Providence, who they will play next Friday at 7 p.m. at Kelley Rink.
BC will close out the weekend with a non-conference tilt at Brown on Saturday, Jan. 11. The game time has been moved up to 5 p.m.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |