CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Matt Boldy netted a pair of goals and Casey Carreau scored the game-winner early in the third period on Friday as second-ranked Boston College skated past No. 18 Northeastern 4-2 on Senior Night at Kelley Rink to secure the No. 1 seed in the Hockey East Tournament.
The Eagles closed the regular season at 16-4-1 overall and earned home ice throughout the league playoffs. BC posted its fourth straight victory over the Huskies (9-8-3), sweeping the regular season series for the second straight year.
Boldy's opening goal of the night was Boston College's NCAA-leading eighth shorthanded tally, and the second was the sophomore's 50th career point. Rookie Trevor Kuntar began the scoring in the first period with his sixth of the season.
Spencer Knight made 32 saves for his 15th win, including 17 stops in the first period.
Northeastern stormed back in the middle frame to tie the game at two, but Carreau's career-high fifth of the year restored the lead. BC went on to out-shoot NU 22-7 in a dominant third period as Boldy sealed the win at 13:22.
Patrick Giles had a multi-point night with two assists, as did sophomore Marshall Warren. Mike Hardman closed the contest with a game-high seven shots on goal and was plus-3 along with Warren and Drew Helleson.
Facing a top-5 power play in the nation, the Eagles were 3-for-3 on the penalty kill, improving to 19-for-20 over their last six games.
Prior to the game, Boston College honored senior assistant captain Michael Karow and senior managers Marc Zampanti and Jack Lipsky.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 13:19, BC (1-0) | From the right wing, Giles slid a pass to Kuntar on a middle drive and the freshman tucked a backhand short side to beat Connor Murphy at the right post.
2nd 7:35, BC (2-0) | Boldy gained the Northeastern zone along the right wing on a shorthanded odd-man rush and deked to his backhand before roofing a shot past Murphy glove side.
2nd 8:15, NU (2-1) | Following a right pad stop from Knight, Riley Hughes flipped the puck into the air through the crease and Dylan Jackson whacked it home to knot the score.
2nd 15:56, NU (2-2) | Boston College turned the puck over along the left wing boards and Aidan McDonogh centered a pass to Zach Solow, who slid a low shot through the five-hole of Knight.
3rd 1:36, BC (3-2) | From the right goal line extended, Marc McLaughlin tossed the puck back toward Murphy and the rebound fell to the left doorstep for Carreau, who lifted a backhand into the net.
3rd 13:22, BC (4-2) | Warren set up Alex Newhook on the left wing half wall and the sophomore fed a pass into a soft spot for Boldy, whose heavy one-timer found the top right corner glove side.
UP NEXT
Top seed Boston College will host a single game Hockey East Quarterfinal next Sunday, March 14 at Kelley Rink. Start time and opponent will be announced following the Hockey East First Round games, which take place on Wednesday, March 10.
