BC 3, Notre Dame 1: Mullane, Gaudreau, Milner Run the Show Against Irish

No matter what happens in football on Saturday or hockey on Sunday against Boston University, the Eagles have gotten on the board during their Holy War/Rivalry weekend.

On Friday night at Conte Forum, the #1 Boston College Eagles hockey team defeated the #8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 3-1. The win brings the Eagles to 7-1, their seventh win in a row and most high-profile victory of the season so far.

The first period was a scoreless, relatively even frame between the visitors and defending national champions, but the second was not, because the Eagles dominated it. The first goal of the game came off of the stick of captain Pat Mullane on a breakaway during a 4-on-4 at 4:41, giving Boston College a 1-0 lead (assisted by Wey). That was Mullane’s fourth goal of the season.

It just wouldn’t be a BC hockey game, however, without Johnny Gaudreau making an appearance on the score sheet. He got there with a brilliant top-shelf shot over Steven Summerhays at 16:30 of the second period, putting the Eagles ahead, 2-0 (assisted by Matheson). The Gaudreau goal was one of twelve Boston College shots during the period, compared to just two for Notre Dame.

The third was a little sloppier at first for the Eagles as the team did not get off to a great start. A scrum in front of the net at the 7:10 mark led to Notre Dame’s only goal of the game. Thomas DiPauli tucked it in the net to make the score 2-1; it was reviewed to see if it was kicked in, but the call on the ice was upheld (assisted by Schneider).

From there, the Eagles buckled down. For good measure, Gaudreau ensured that his name was well and truly remembered by the home fans, potting an empty net goal with about three seconds remaining in the game (assisted by Arnold). It was Gaudreau’s second goal of the game, and sixth on the season.

Boston College’s offense didn’t do anything extraordinarily special as a team against Notre Dame’s solid defense, but Parker Milner took over from there. In fact, for the entire game, Milner was sensational, making tough save after tough save and keeping the Fighting Irish sticks mostly quiet. The Irish only got off 20 shots of their own, and that too could be owed to an exceptional defensive effort. Boston College’s shot total for the game was 22, and though they only scored two goals with a net-minder on the ice, they had many more opportunities. Summerhays had a good game in-goal himself, but it was not good enough to hand Notre Dame the win.

This was a strong performance for Boston College against another very good team. Gaudreau and Mullane provided some exciting goals, but it may not have been enough without Milner’s help, which was crucial in the victory.

Boston College travels to Agganis Arena on Sunday afternoon for their next game at Boston University.