Boston College-UMass Final Score: Eagles Ride Offense to 5-3 Win

Boston College-UMass Final Score: On Friday night in Amherst, the #12 Boston College Eagles defeated the Massachusetts Minutemen, 5-3.

Boston College-UMass Final: Early Deficit

The Minutemen struck early — 46 seconds into the game to be exact. Ray Pigozzi netted his third of the year as UMass took a 1-0 lead on their home ice.

Boston College would go most of the rest of the period without responding, though the offense came alive and put 16 shots on UMass goalie Henry Dill. It was not until 4:36 remaining in the opening period that Boston College would score, and it came after former Eagle commit Frank Vatrano went to the box on a hook. The Eagles’ Chris Calnan scored 14 seconds later, tying the game at 1-1.

A minute later, senior forward Cam Spiro went in by himself for the unassisted goal to give Boston College a lead they would not relinquish.

The Eagles scored only once in the second thanks to Quinn Smith with both teams skating four-a-side. Boston College had only four shots on net in the entire period, but one of them went in, which had to be deflating for the UMass defense and goaltender. Intensifying that feeling was the Minutemen having a goal waved off at 10:31 of the period due to a hand pass.

Boston College-UMass Final: Quick Scores

In the third, all of the scoring action was condensed to within a five-minute space. UMass opened the scoring with a power play goal by Troy Power after Matt Gaudreau took a hooking call early in the frame.

Just minutes later, Boston College got it back at even strength with Chris Calnan netting his second of the game, ultimately the game-winner to give the Eagles a 4-2 lead.

Yet, only 32 seconds after that, UMass responded with another score, this time by Marc Hetnik to make it a 4-3 game with 13:38 remaining.

Aboout two minutes after that, the final score of the game was scored by Noah Hanifin; his second of the year was the fifth of the night for Boston College, who were able to weather the final eleven minutes en route to a two-goal win. With three minutes remaining, Zach Sanford of the Eagles and both Dennis Kravchenko and Anthony Petrella of UMass got involved in a minor roughing and high-sticking spat, all three taking penalties.

Boston College-UMass Final: Goal Chart

Boston College-UMass Final: Bottom Line

The Eagles took care of business on Friday night, getting a win they had to have in order to stave off the possibility of another somewhat lengthy losing streak (at least by Boston College standards). What’s more is that they got their victory on the road and in a Hockey East contest. Those are two important points they picked up, being as far behind in the standings as they are.

The offense generated 30 shots and got some great contributions from underage hockey sensation Noah Hanifin (1-2-3). Chris Calnan’s two goals were also a nice sign. Boston College scoring a power play goal was more comforting than anything, in a season where they have struggled with it greatly so far.

Thatcher Demko did not face an overwhelming amount of pressure, but he got the job done with 18 saves. The Eagles set the tone in the first period after going down a goal early and never looked back. This was a solid victory.

Boston College-UMass Final: Next Up

The Eagles return to Conte Forum tomorrow night to face the Maine Black Bears at 7pm Eastern.

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