Boston College 5, Boston Univ. 2: Jerry York Ties Mason’s Record with 924th Win

It was destined to happen this season, but records taste even sweeter when they come against a bitter rival.

On Saturday evening at Conte Forum, the #1 Boston College Eagles hockey team defeated the #9 Boston University Terriers, 5-2. The victory moves the Eagles to 11-2 (9-2) on the season, but importantly to the fans, a major milestone has been reached. Coach Jerry York has tied the all-time Division I wins record held by Ron Mason at 924. BC’s next win will make York the winningest coach in college hockey history.

In the first meeting of this home-and-home series on Friday night, Boston College did not entirely look listless, but they were much more flat than Boston University, who did a good job smothering the Eagles on defense and preventing an offensive rhythm. That was not the case at all on Saturday night, as BC played with a great deal more offensive intensity in BU’s zone and generated some quality pressure on Terrier goalie Matt O’Connor. The difference in energy level between Friday night and Saturday night for BC was noticeable.

Meanwhile, Boston University did put some pucks on Parker Milner of BC, but he stopped almost all the ones that came his way – though it wasn’t nearly as many as BC sent to O’Connor. The shots on goal were lopsided in favor of the Eagles, to the tune of a 36-23 margin.

The turning point of the contest came in the second period, when Boston College went on a 5-on-3 advantage. Freshman Mike Matheson of the Eagles blasted a laser shot past O’Connor during the 5-on-3, and then less than a minute later, Bill Arnold scored on the subsequent power play to balloon BC’s lead from 2-1 to 4-1; the Eagles never looked back.

Boston College had a superb night on the power play, scoring four goals when they had a man-advantage. It was a power play kind of night, as six of the seven total goals scored were not on even strength.

The scoring summary was as follows:

(BC) 10:40 1st: Teddy Doherty (assist Hayes) – power play
(BU) 12:52 1st: Cason Hohmann (assists Gill, Megan) – power play

(BC) 1:59 2nd: Bill Arnold (assists Hayes, Doherty) – power play
(BC) 15:48 2nd: Mike Matheson (assists Whitney, Mullane) – power play
(BC) 16:38 2nd: Bill Arnold (assists Wey, Hayes) – power play

(BC) 4:16 3rd: Brendan Silk (unassisted)
(BU) 13:02 3rd: Evan Rodrigues (assist Noonan) – power play

York is the sort of unselfish personality who probably cares more about his team’s win than his own record, but everyone else is entitled to celebrate for him. His first attempt at breaking the record will be on Friday night at Providence.