Northeastern completed a two-game sweep of No. 11 Boston College on Friday as Lawton Zacher posted his second shutout in three games and his fourth straight win as the Huskies cruised, 3-0.
After a scoreless first period in which BC controlled a significant share of puck possession, Northeastern broke through just under two minutes into the second when Amine Hajibi batted a loose puck out of midair from behind the net, bounced the puck off goaltender Louka Cloutier and into the net. The Huskies extended their lead when James Fisher converted on a transition play later in the period. The game turned more heated when BC’s Drew Fortescue was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct following a post-whistle altercation — yet Northeastern was unable to convert on the ensuing power-play.
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In the third period Northeastern sealed the victory when they pounced on a rebound and converted to extend the lead to three. Despite a late BC power-play bid and some zone time, the Eagles couldn’t solve the Huskies’ defense or netminder. Zacher was strong once again in the win and finished the two-game series stopping 72 of then 73 shots he faced.
SCOREBOARD | STANDINGS | USCHO.COM POLL
No. 12 Maine 5, No. 5 Boston University 4 (F/OT)
Brandon Holt’s power play goal 43 seconds into overtime propel Maine to a 5-4 overtime win over Boston University in a game the Black Bears never led.
https://twitter.com/MaineIceHockey/status/1984443576441303158
BU jumped to four one-goal leads, only to have Maine answer each time. Justin Poirier’s goal with 13 minutes remaining in regulation tied the game at 4 and forced the overtime and Holt’s heroics. Poirier paced all scorers with two goals and an assist.
Albin Boija made 24 saves to earn the victory for Maine, which improves to 4-2-1 on the season. Boston University drops to 3-4-1. The two teams complete the series in Orono on Saturday night.
No. 13 Massachusetts 2, No. 20 Cornell 1
Vaclav Nestrasil’s goal with 1:39 remaining broke a 1-1 tie as host UMass handed No. 20 Cornell a loss in its season opener, 2-1.
Cornell held the Minutemen to just 16 shots in the game, but the stifling defense was matched by strong goaltender from UMass net minder Michael Hrabal, who earned the win making 27 saves.
The two teams swapped goals early in the game as Lukas Klecka for UMass and Gio DiGuilian each tallied in the opening frame. The game remained scoreless until the closing minutes when UMass scored on the power play. The Minutemen were 2-for-2 on the man advantage in the game, compared to Cornell’s 0-for-3 on the power play.
No. 10 Minnesota Duluth 4, No. 8 North Dakota 3 (F/OT)
Ty Hanson’s goal 43 seconds into overtime spoiled a late come-from-behind effort by No. 8 North Dakota and gave Minnesota Duluth yet another big early-season win, 4-3.
https://twitter.com/NCAAIceHockey/status/1984452762008981638
Minnesota Duluth improves to 8-1-0 on the young season and extends the Bulldogs winning streak to five games.
Max Plante’s power play goal – his second of the game – with 7:13 looked like it would be a dagger to North Dakota. But the Fighting Hawks rallied, scoring twice in the final four minutes including Ben Strinden’s equalizer with the extra attacker with 1:11 remaining.
No. 3 Western Michigan 6, St. Cloud State 5
A crazy offensive battle wasn’t settled until Zach Bookman’s goal with 4:47 remaining that lifted No. 3 Western Michigan past a pesky St. Cloud State, 6-5, in the NCHC opener for each club.
https://twitter.com/WMUHockey/status/1984452440574345632
Western Michigan never trailed in the game, holding leads of 2-0, 3-2 and 5-3 only to watch the Huskies rally each time. Thor Byfuglien and Jack Rogers scored less than three minutes apart in the third period to pull St. Cloud State even at 5.
Ultimately, Bookman played the role of hero on a night were teammate Liam Valente scored twice and William Whitelaw paced all players with three points (goal, two assists).