BOSTON — Top-ranked Boston College began its quest for another NCAA hockey title Friday, defeating the Michigan Tech Huskies 6-1 in the Providence Regional opener. The Eagles got two goals from both Cutter Gauthier and Ryan Leonard, and Leonard added two assists for a four-point game.
Although the score was reversed in the end, the game was very close for the first 40 minutes.
Gauthier started the Eagles' party just 35 seconds into the game. The sophomore added to Hobey Baker's resume when he took a feed from Oskar Jervik on a rush and goaltender Logan Pietila scored it.
The Eagles were on the offensive for a few more minutes until the Huskies got physical. Michigan Tech had several close calls midway through the period, including one when Gauthier tipped the puck over in front of the BC net. The Eagles fought through them and went on a power play with eight minutes remaining, giving them a golden opportunity to extend their lead.
However, as the Eagles tried to advance the puck into the neutral zone, Max Koskipirutti picked off the pass. He took it upon himself and beat BC netminder Jacob Fowler shorthanded to settle the score 1-1.
Michigan Tech extended its lead over Boston College in the second, but freshman forward Ryan Leonard made a great play to break up a 2-on-1 and begin a rush into the Huskies zone. His first shot was deflected, but it caused havoc in front of Michigan Tech's net. In the end, Leonard cleaned up the mess and turned in the spilled puck to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead.
Boston College had a great chance to tie the game against Michigan Tech, but Gabe Perreault was ejected with a five-minute penalty for a dangerous illegal check to the head of Huskies forward Tyrone Bronte. . Michigan Tech had seven shots in the last five minutes, but Fowler made three saves and the Eagles blocked the remaining two. Fowler stopped 23 shots in the win.
The Eagles added to their lead early in the third period thanks to their fourth line. Jack Malone made a beautiful feed to Connor Joyce, and the Westwood junior forward converted it for his second goal of the year, making it 3-1.
A few minutes later, Gauthier dropped the puck to the ice and received a very friendly bounce off the back of an official. The puck was deflected by the referee and into the Michigan Tech net, but the goal was canceled due to a direct hit by the referee.
It didn't matter, just 14 seconds later, on a 2-on-1 rush from Will Smith, Jerbic scored his own goal off a nice feed, giving the Eagles a 4-1 lead once again. Things got pretty volatile 40 seconds later when Bronte took a high hit on Leonard, causing several scrums on the ice. At Michigan Tech, Bronte and Chase Pierita were cited for game misconduct, and the Eagles ended up on a five-minute power play.
Leonard made the most of it, scoring on the man advantage just 52 seconds later to make the game 5-1. The Eagles scored three goals in his 3 minutes and 11 seconds of the third period, but the goals weren't over yet.
With just over 8:30 left in the game, Gervik threw a beautiful no-look pass to Gauthier, who hit the open net for his second goal of the game, putting Boston College in the lead, 6-1. Gauthier is currently up to 37 goals for the season.
Returning to the Hockey East Tournament, the Eagles have outscored their opponents 20-4 in their last three postseason games.
Boston University will next face the winner of Friday night's matchup between No. 2 University of Wisconsin and No. 3 Quinnipiac University for a spot in Frozen 4.The game will be played on Sunday at 4 p.m.
