University of Maine
Boston College
Black Bears Fall to #1 Boston College in Hockey East Title Game
3/17/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
BOSTON, Mass. -- The University of Maine men's ice hockey team fell to Boston College 4-1 in the Hockey East title game on Saturday night at the TD Garden in Boston, Mass. Despite the loss, Maine will earn a spot in the 2012 NCAA Regional, which will be announced on Sunday at noon. Brian Flynn (Lynnfield, Mass.) notched Maine's lone goal, his 18th tally of the season.
Boston College took a 1-0 lead at 5:24 of the first period when Patch Alber fired a shot towards the net. Maine was unable to clear the puck and Johnny Gaudreau shot it past Maine goalie Dan Sullivan, giving the Eagles the early lead.
The Eagles extended their lead to 2-0 with a power play goal just minutes later. Gaudreau got his second of the game at 7:31 from Pat Mullane and Chris Kreider. BC took the 2-0 lead into the first intermission, outshooting the Black Bears 20-11.
Maine got on the board at 7:37 of the second period when Joey Diamond (Long Beach, N.Y.) found Brian Flynn in the slot. Flynn back-handed a shot past BC goalie Parker Milner.
BC regained the two goal lead at 18:39 of the second period when Gaudreau fired the puck from behind the net to a streaking Pat Mullane in the slot. He fired a shot past Maine goalie Dan Sullivan to extend the BC lead to 3-1.
The Eagles added an empty-net goal at 18:59 to ensure the victory.
BC outshot Maine 43-43 in the game. The Black Bears were scoreless in five power play opportunities, while BC was 1-for-3.
Maine goalie Dan Sullivan made 39 saves in goal. He falls to 22-10-3 on the season. Parker Milner made 41 saves. He improves to 25-5-0.
The Black Bear now await their NCAA Selection. The NCAA Regional pairings will be announced on Sunday, March 18 at 12 noon on ESPNU.
-U-M-
