Boston College 4, Notre Dame 2: Eagles Tie Series, Gaudreau Ties Kariya’s Record

Boston College Eagles hockey got socked in the face on Friday night, but that was not to happen again on Saturday afternoon.

In Game 2 of the Hockey East Tournament quarterfinals from Kelley Rink, the #2 Eagles defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 4-2. The victory forces a decisive third game in this best-of-three series, to be played at Boston College on Sunday at 4:30pm.

Junior forward Johnny Gaudreau made history on Saturday, tying the Hockey East points streak record set by Paul Kariya over twenty years ago when the potential Hall-of-Famer played for Maine. His first point in this contest, on an assist, stretched his streak to 31 games in a row. A point on Sunday will make Gaudreau Hockey East’s new record holder, adding to what many expect to be a Hobey Baker season for the star player.

Gaudreau ended up with four points on the game, narrowly missing on a hat trick bid late in the third period.

Early in the game, the Eagles still retained some of the lethargy they had left over from Friday night’s embarrassing 7-2 defeat. Notre Dame went ahead, but Boston College finally woke up after captain Patrick Brown’s goal. From there, the Eagles buzzed around the net frantically, eventually taking the lead into the first intermission.

Boston College would not score again in the second, though they did hit for two more goals in the third, continuing to make Notre Dame goalie Steven Summerhays work. The Eagles outshot the Irish 37-21, having the far better of the scoring chances on the afternoon. Freshman goalie Thatcher Demko bounced back after a shaky performance on Friday, facing considerably less pressure than his Notre Dame counterpart but holding his ground, allowing just two goals and saving 19.

Penalties were also the name of the game: the two teams totaled 13. Somewhat related, it was a very chippy contest at times, with opposing players nearly coming to blows on a number of occasions.

Game 2 was a solid response from Boston College after playing arguably their worst game of the season less than 24 hours prior. Their energy level improved across the board, almost literally as if a switch turned on mid-way through the first period. For whatever adjustments they made or increases in motivation they had, the Eagles looked as though they had solved the Fighting Irish and played with an urgency and purpose that was not present on Friday.

Tomorrow, the stakes will be even higher as it’s win-or-go-home for both teams.