After an exciting season of Hockey East action, Saturday night at the TD Garden in Boston, MA played host to the conference championship match between bitter rivals Boston University and Boston College. On Friday night, despite being handily outplayed at even strength, the Terriers were able to pull out a 4-1 victory against Maine. In what could only be described as a massacre, the Eagles defeated the UMass Minutemen by a score of 8-1. During the regular season, the Eagles had the series edge by a tune of 2-1.

               The opening 10-minutes of the game showcased the teams’ special-teams prowess and weaknesses. The Terriers were unable to cash in on two power play opportunities, and Boston College was able to strike twice with the man advantage (Both by Will Smith). Early in the second period, Gavin Mccarthy was able to beat Jacob Fowler from out high to draw the Terriers within one goal. With just over a minute to play in the second, on the power play once again, Cutter Gauthier extended the Eagles’ lead back to two (Will Smith gets his third point of the game). Just past the quarter mark in the third period, Will Smith would finish the hat track at even strength and push the Eagle advantage to 3 goals. Just past the halfway mark in the period, the Terriers took their fourth penalty of the game, and in an entirely expected fashion, Gabe Perrault scored the Eagles’ fourth power play goal of the game. Three minutes later Macklin Celebrini contributed a power play goal of his own, but it was a simple nod of effort in a blow out to a bitter foe. Will Smith would extend the lead back to 4 on an empty net goal in scoring what was his fourth goal of the game.

               Overall, this Boston College Eagles group became the odds-on favorites to win this conference after their initial series earlier in the season, and despite their loss in the Beanpot preliminaries to the Terriers, the strength and ability of this group was never questioned following the loss to lesser competition. The Terriers themselves are a great hockey team, especially in the offensive zone. It does have to be mentioned that they were able to control possession and outshoot the triumphant Eagles in this game, but their pedestrian penalty kill, occasionally leaking defense, and too-often questionable goaltending once again came to nip them in a game that they were talented enough to win. Both teams now have their sights on a national championship run.