CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The top-ranked Boston College men's hockey team completed its weekend sweep in the Battle of Comm Ave, picking up a 2-0 victory over No. 8 Boston University on Saturday evening at Kelley Rink in the 297th meeting between the two programs. Jacob Fowler posted a 30-save shutout. Ryan Leonard finished with one goal and one assist, while Teddy Stiga tallied the game-winning goal inside the opening 30 seconds.
BC improves to 18-4-1 overall and 11-3-1 in league play, while Boston University drops to 13-9-1 overall and 9-5-1 in Hockey East.
The Eagles went on the power play to begin the game as the Terriers were handed a two-minute minor for protocol violation, and BC took full advantage of the opportunity. Ryan Leonard's initial shot was saved by BU goaltender Mikhail Yegorov, but the rebound fell perfectly for Stiga to slot to put the Eagles ahead just 24 seconds into the contest.
The BC defense continued to keep the door shut throughout the first 20 minutes, backstopped by 16 saves from Fowler in the opening frame.
Fowler came up with a key stop midway through the third period to keep the Terriers off the board. BU's Kamil Bednarik received the puck from the left side and hit the one-timer, but Fowler got across quickly enough to make the save.
Leonard tallied his goal with just over one minute remaining, scoring on the empty net after the Terriers pulled Yegorov.
SCORING
1st 0:24 BC Teddy Stiga (Ryan Leonard, Lukas Gustafsson) - PP
3rd 18:57 BC Leonard - ENG
GAME NOTES
- Boston College has scored a power-play goal in five of its last six games
- BC is 5-1 in its last six meetings with BU
- The Eagles are currently on a six-game winning streak
- Jacob Fowler recorded his sixth shutout of the year, now tied for third in program history
- Fowler now has nine career shutouts, good for fifth in program history
- Ryan Leonard scored his league-leading 19th goal of the campaign, good for second in the country
- Teddy Stiga extended his point streak to seven games
- Lukas Gustafsson has recorded an assist in each of the last three games and four of the last five
UP NEXT
BC hosts UMass Lowell next Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+. The Eagles then play Northeastern on Monday, Feb. 3 at TD Garden in the semifinal of 72nd Beanpot, beginning at 8 p.m. on NESN.
