STORRS, Conn. - The UConn Huskies closed out the regular season with a 6-5 win over Boston College. Graduate Student Justin Pearson scored a Hat trick in the win, while Jake Black, Matthew Wood and Ty Amonte all scored.
With the win, UConn reaches the 20-win mark in back to back seasons as they finish 20-11-3 overall and 13-9-2 in Hockey East Action.
UConn got out to a quick start on senior day as UConn pressured the Eagles defense forcing a turnover, and from there the Huskies offense would go to work as Hudson Schandor found Justin Pearson who fired the puck bar down for the first goal of the night. Once again Boston College would not back down as they would respond on the power play when captain Marshall Warren fired a puck past freshman Arsenii Sergeev. Sticking with the senior day celebration, another UConn senior got in on the action as Justin Pearson's shot was saved but fellow grad student Ty Amonte was in front for the tip in. With five seconds remaining in the first period, Boston College tied the game at two to end a back and forth first period.
The second period was all UConn as the Huskies came away with the line goals of the period. Following a missed 3 on 1 chance by Boston College, UConn countered and Hudson Schandor found Matthew Wood for the tip in goal to give UConn the lead once again. Five minute later, while on the power play, Justin Pearson fought through contact after the faceoff and while falling down lifted the puck over the shoulder of the eagles netminder for his second goal of the day. UConn's defense stayed strong while freshman Arsenii Sergeev made 11 saves in the period to hold BC at two goals.
The third period began and once again UConn wasted no time finding the back of the net. One minute into the start of the period, Matthew Wood took the puck up the ice and after a beautiful toe drag, left the puck behind for Justin Pearson who ripped a shot bar down for his third goal of the night, and the first hat trick this season for the Huskies. Boston College would cut into the UConn lead once again but freshman Jake Black took a rebound and scored his first career goal to once again extend the Huskies lead. Boston College did not go away quietly as they scored two unanswered goals to cut the Huskies lead to one, but Defense and strong goaltending the final minute of play prevailed and the Huskies came away with a 6-5 victory.
With the win, UConn awaits the result of UMass Lowell vs. Northeastern. If UMass Lowell does not win in regulation, the Huskies will be hosting the quarterfinal game at Toscano Family Ice Forum Saturday March 11. If UMass Lowell wins in regulation, the Huskies will be on the road for the playoffs.
