.png&type=webp){kind=icon}
University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
#4 Boston College
No. 4 Boston College Shutouts #16 UMass Hockey 2-0
November 21, 2008 | Hockey
Nov. 21, 2008
Chestnut Hill, Mass. - Two power play goals from No. 4 Boston College propelled the Eagles past #16 UMass 2-0 Friday night at Conte Forum. The UMass offense was held stagnant for the second straight game, as John Muse made 27 saves in goal for the Eagles (7-3-1, 5-2-1 HEA). Dan Meyers got the nod in net for the Minutemen, making 36 saves in the loss. The two teams will be back in action tomorrow night at the Mullins Center in Amherst. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 PM. Saturday night will be Operation 8K at the Mullins Center; tickets are still available at the Mullins Center ticket office or by calling 866-UMASS-TIX.
Massachusetts (5-4-1, 3-3-1 HEA) took 10 penalties throughout the game, giving the Eagles several chances on the power play. The Minutemen went 0-3 on the power play.
Although the Eagles outshot UMass 13-7 in the first period, both teams had a similar amount of scoring chances. When Scott Crowder was whistled for a holding penalty four minutes into the frame, the Eagles went on the power play looking to improve their league best 25.5% power play. Boston College had a lot of opportunities during their man-advantage, but Meyers was there to preserve the stalemate early.
The Minutemen were awarded a two man-advantage with seven minutes to play in the stanza, and UMass had some chances of its own to break the deadlock. But Muse stood his ground to turn away the UMass attempts. With 2:40 to play in the period, UMass nearly got on the board when Muse was caught out of the net, but the Boston College defenders were able to tie up the UMass sticks and get the puck out of harm's way.
Both teams had several chances to score during the second period, but it was Cam Atkinson who broke the scoreless tie for the Eagles with 5:12 to play in the frame. While on the power play, Barry Almeida fired a pass across the UMass zone to Atkinson on the doorstep. Atkinson then banged home the one-timer for the score.
Boston College almost took the lead earlier in the period when the Eagles were swarming around the UMass net. An Eagle attacker threw the puck into Meyers' feet, and the puck nearly crossed the goal line, but a Minuteman defender was able to gather the puck and clear it out of the zone.
The Minutemen had some chances of their own during the period as well. While on the penalty kill, Alex Berry gathered a loose puck in the neutral zone and skated into Eagle territory. Berry carried the puck through the zone with patience and then flung a wrist shot on goal. Muse made the save before Justin Braun could scoop up any rebound opportunity.
UMass took seven penalties during the third period, allowing Boston College to add an insurance marker with 2:51 to go. After Meyers stopped an initial shot from Paul Carey, the puck popped out in front of the crease. Carey then settled the bouncing puck and pounded it home five-hole.
Earlier in the period, the Eagles were again on the power play and nearly scored when a Boston College attacker ripped a shot off the post. The Minutemen had chances to score during the period, but Muse weathered the attack to keep UMass off the board. The Minutemen had a 3-on-2 shorthanded early in the period, and Topher Bevis took a shot from the right faceoff dot, but Muse was there to make the shoulder save. Berry had another opportunity late in the frame when he took a wrap-around shot from the slot, but the puck went wide.
