Boston College 2, UMass-Lowell 2: Eagles Keep Streak But Tie River Hawks

#1 Boston College Eagles hockey has matched its longest unbeaten streak under head coach Jerry York as it prepares to close out the 2013-14 regular season.

In front of the largest-ever hockey crowd at Tsongas Arena in Lowell, the Eagles tied with the UMass-Lowell River Hawks, 2-2. The draw snaps Boston College’s 11-game win streak, but extends their unbeaten streak to 19 games in a row (17-0-2). Boston College’s overall record is now 25-4-4 (16-1-2).

In other streak news, junior forward Johnny Gaudreau maintains his own career-best mark as he notched a power-play goal in the second period to give him a point in 28 straight games. The score was Gaudreau’s 29th of the year and the junior can now claim 63 points for the season.

Eagles captain Patrick Brown assisted on both Boston College goals; he now has ten points over his last six games.

Thatcher Demko was good for the Eagles in goal for the most part, making 28 more saves though allowing two scores in the third period. Doug Carr, getting the start on Saturday night for UMass-Lowell, had to stop 41 Eagles shots on goal as Boston College’s offensive attack pressured him all night.

Penalties were generally light, as Boston College converted on its only power play chance of the game while the River Hawks went 1-for-3 on the man-advantage, breaking the Eagles’ nationally-leading penalty kill for their first goal.

A 1-0-1 weekend in a home-and-home against a top-ten opponent is not the end of the world, and Boston College can still claim that they have not lost since November. Still, one cannot help but feel that the Eagles let another victory slip out of their hands, though ultimately the weekend was a success from a tournament resume perspective.

The Eagles will play their final regular-season game next Saturday afternoon at Kelley Rink against Notre Dame.