FINAL SCORE: No. 2 Boston College 4, Vermont 1BURLINGTON, Vt. – Austin Cangelosi's weak-angle shot early in the third period proved to be the game-winner as second-ranked Boston College held off Vermont for a 4-1 Hockey East victory on Senior Night at Gutterson Fieldhouse on Saturday.
The Catamounts fell to 12-18-3 (6-11-3 HEA) but remain seventh in the league with a one-point lead on UNH and two-point edge over Merrimack with two games left in the regular season. The Eagles stretched their unbeaten streak to 14 games and improved to 23-4-5 (14-1-5 HEA) to retain first place in Hockey East.
RELATED LINKSCatamounTV HighlightsBox Score Mario Puskarich gave the Catamounts the lead at 14:18 of the first period on Vermont's second power play chance. The junior reeled in a pass from
Brendan Bradley along the right goal line and threw the puck to the front of the net as it deflected past Thatcher Demko (30 saves).
Chris Muscoby picked up the second assist on the play.
Boston College answered with just 1:04 remaining in the period just after a power play expired. Adam Gilmour picked up a loose puck in the slot and ripped a shot high glove side into the upper right corner through a partial screen.
UVM was unsuccessful on three power plays in the second period, and the game remained tied at one through 40 minutes.
Vermont killed off a BC power play early in the third period, but the Eagles scored again seconds after the minor had expired. Cangelosi collected the puck near the left goal line and wristed a quick shot short side past
Packy Munson inside the near post.
Ryan Fitzgerald doubled the lead at 8:32, beating Munson blocker side with a wrister from above the right faceoff dot. Demko then made his best save of the weekend on
Brady Shaw, flashing his right pad to deny a forehand deke at the top of the crease.
Vermont earned a final power play with 2:35 left on the clock and pulled Munson to create a 6-on-4, but the Eagles killed it off. Fitzgerald potted an empty-netter with two seconds remaining to seal the win for BC.
UVM closes the regular season next weekend with a two-game league series at Merrimack on Friday (Feb. 26) at 8:30 p.m. and Saturday (Feb. 27) at 7 p.m. The Catamounts can clinch home ice in the first round with at least two points against the Warriors.
The Friday night game will be televised live on NESN plus, and radio coverage each night from Lawler Arena begins 30 minute prior to faceoff on WVMT 620-AM, SportsJuice.com, and the TuneIn app.
