On Friday, top-seeded Boston College defeated fourth-seeded Michigan Tech 6-1 in the first round of the NCAA Hockey Tournament.
Michigan Tech (19-15-6) ended its season with a first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year. Boston College (32-5-1) advances to the Providence Regional final and will face the winner of Quinnipiac-Wisconsin State for a spot in the Frozen Four.
Boston College takes an early lead.
Boston College grabbed the momentum by scoring on its first shot 36 seconds into the game. After a Michigan Tech turnover, BC immediately handed the puck to Kutter Gauthier, the nation's leading scorer, who beat Blake Pietila for a 1-0 lead.
Michigan Tech scores a short-handed goal and outshoots BC in the second period.
Michigan Tech fell behind early, but penalties against the Huskies swung the game in their favor. The penalty kill unit was down one man to tie the game after Max Koskipilutti intercepted a pass in the neutral zone, beating Boston College goaltender Jacob Fowler with 7:05 remaining. The Huskies continued to dominate the rest of the period with an aggressive forecheck, finishing the period with eight shots to BC's 11.
Kas Rasmussen had a one-on-one chance in the second, but his shot went wide after beating Fowler.
Boston College took the lead in the second period on a rebound by Ryan Leonard. Leonard, the nation's third-leading scorer, hung on near the crease and made a pad save to grab the rebound and give the Eagles a 2-1 lead.
Michigan Tech had a chance to tie the game on a five-minute power play after a foul play by BC's Gabe Perreault. MTU had an extra skater and three shots, but could not break through as Fowler continued to parry shots. Tech outscored BC 13-10 during this period.
BC State smothers Michigan Tech in big three periods
The talent disparity in Boston College's favor started to show in the third period. BC's Jack Malone corralled a long dump pass, skated near the net, then fired a pass to Connor Joyce at the crease for a tap-in for a 3-1 lead. BC scored again shortly after Will Smith found Oskar Jervik to beat Pietila one-on-one.
Boston College added two more goals with Leonard and Gauthier midway through the three on a five-minute power play to make it 6-1 after a game misconduct against MTU's Ryland Mosley.
Boston College finished with six goals and 33 shots, while Michigan Tech made just 1 of 24 shots against Fowler.
