AMHERST, Mass. - Senior assistant captain Trevor Kuntar scored twice, including the eventual game-winner in the third period, and Boston College swept a weekend series against UMass with a 3-1 Hockey East road victory on Saturday night at the Mullins Center.
The Eagles moved back to .500 overall at 12-12-6 and improved to 7-8-5 in Hockey East play. It was Boston College's fifth straight win over the Minutemen (10-15-5, 4-13-3 HEA) in Amherst and its ninth in the last 10 meetings overall.
Connor Joyce added an insurance goal for the Eagles in the third period, and Andre Gasseau finished with a pair of assists. Mitch Benson stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced for the win.
UMass opened the scoring at 8:33 of the first period when Michael Cameron tipped a left wing one-timer from Kenny Connors past Benson's glove.
The Eagles' first power play opportunity of the night during the second period led to a quality chance for Kuntar, who was denied point blank from the low slot by Cole Brady. Kuntar tied the game on another power play with 21 seconds left in the middle frame when he tipped a right circle shot-pass from Cutter Gauthier into the air and over Brady inside the left post.
Kuntar's second of the night came 6:35 into the third period to put Boston College ahead for the first time. Gasseau sent a feed up the right wing for Kuntar, who cut wide around a UMass defender and calmly tucked a forehand around the right skate of Brady.
Joyce extended the lead to 3-1 near the midway point of the third, finishing a weak angle shot near the right goal line extended off Brady following a Mike Posma attempt that Marshall Warren tipped off the end wall.
BC dominated the faceoff circle with a final advantage of 32-17 on faceoffs.
Boston College travels to Orono next weekend for a two-game series against Maine at Alfond Arena on Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m.
