Boston College-Michigan State Final Score: Eagles Take Down Sparty, 3-2

Boston College-Michigan State Final: On Friday night in East Lansing, the #8 Boston College Eagles defeated the Michigan State Spartans, 3-2.

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With the win, Boston College snaps a four-game losing streak, their longest in a decade, moving to 5-5-0 on the year.

The game was an important one for both teams, as a preseason-ranked Michigan State team can feel the year starting to slip away already, while the Eagles looked to prevent their skid from becoming a serious problem.

Boston College once again had the services of sophomore goalie Thatcher Demko, who missed Tuesday’s game against Harvard due to illness.

Boston College-Michigan State Final: Eagles Strike Immediately

The Eagles, who never led against the Crimson earlier this week, did not have to wait long to get their first lead against the Spartans. Freshman left wing Zach Sanford netted his first career goal 39 seconds into the action to give Boston College a 1-0 lead.

That advantage was doubled by Matt Gaudreau, the brother of a famous former Eagle, who scored in both games this week.

The Spartans got one back late in the first period off of the stick of Michael Ferrantino, but eventually, the Eagles got that one back themselves thanks to senior Quinn Smith’s third goal of the season at 11:54 of the second.

In what was mostly a whistle-free third period, with only one minor penalty in the frame, Michigan State pulled back to within one at 9:19 on a Matt DeBlouw goal, but Demko, back on the ice for the Eagles, did more than enough to help earn his team victory. The goaltender saved 31 shots in the win, including several big stops late in the third. His counterpart, Jake Hildebrand, also saved 31.

Boston College-Michigan State Final: Goal Chart

Boston College-Michigan State Final: Bottom Line

Boston College came out of the gate firing on all cylinders, by far seeming like a more focused team than the one that sleepwalked through the Harvard game. The Eagles knew they had to have this game, and they got it behind a solid offensive effort that generated 34 shots on goal. Demko was also fine, facing a number of shots himself from Sparty but getting the better of it tonight.

With only one power-play opportunity, it is no surprise that the Eagles did not score again on the man-advantage, extending their lengthy streak of ineffectiveness there.

Michigan State was a worthy opponent, but the better team won on Friday night and now the Eagles can move forward with some confidence. Aside from being a needed win, it was one of respectable quality.

Boston College-Michigan State Final: Next Up

The Eagles will visit Amherst next Friday night as they take on the Massachusetts Minutemen in a Hockey East battle.