Boston College won its fifth straight conference game and UNH, which was the last remaining unbeaten team in Hockey East, fell in overtime at UMass on Friday night.
#1 BC 4, Maine 2
ORONO, ME - The Black Bears appeared up for the occasion early on, keeping BC scoreless in the first period and evening the game twice after BC scored go-ahead goals, but Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary Flames) netted the game-winning goal at 4:52 of the third period and the Eagles added an empty netter with just 11 seconds showing on the clock to earn two more points, their fifth straight conference win since a 3-1 loss to Northeastern in their opening game.
Three of BC's four goals came on the power play, while the Eagles' penalty kill kept Maine frustrated, killing all three of their times short. Parker Milner made 28 saves to preserve the win, and Martin Oulette stopped 19 shots for Maine.
at UMass 2, #9 UNH 1 (OT)
AMHERST, MA - Kevin Goumas was whistled for interference at 2:09 of the extra frame, and even Hockey East goaltender of the month for October Casey DeSmith couldn't hold the UMass attack at bay, as Darren Rowe's third goal of the year was the game winner for the Minutemen, who earned their first conference win of the season, while UNH became the last Hockey East team to fall from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Kevin Boyle stopped 25 shots in the win for UMass, while DeSmith had 34 saves. Both teams had three chances on the man-advantage, but only UMass was able to convert.
Merrimack 5, Northeastern 2
BOSTON, MA - Determined not to be plagued by another slow start, the Warriors scored twice in the first period and used a strong third period to cruise to victory at Historic Matthews Arena, getting all five of their goals from defensemen.
Mike Collins had three helpers for Merrimack, which also got multi-point nights from Brendan Ellis (1g, 1a), Connor Toomey (2a) and Jordan Heywood (2g). Ludwig Karlsson and Kevin Roy (Anaheim Ducks) each had a goal and an assist for the Huskies, who failed to win their fourth straight conference game after starting 2-0. Sam Marotta stopped 23 shots in the win.
at Providence 3, Vermont 2
The Friars continue to be Hockey East's hottest team, and did so on a night when tempers got pretty hot as well. Late in the first period, Providence's Steven Shamanski and Vermont's Kyle Mountain were giving matching game misconducts for face masking. In all, 54 penalty minutes were handed out, 30 of which went to Shamanski and Mountain.
The Catamounts were able to take advantage of Providence's indiscretion, getting two power play goals on six opportunities, but in the end it was Jon Gillies shutting the door, stopping ten of 11 Vermont shots in the third period to earn his third straight win. Brandon Taney, Derek Army and Mark Jankowski scored for Providence, which got five points from its third line.
at #5 North Dakota 4, #12 BU 2
Sean Maguire (Pittsburgh Penguins) got his second start of the season in another hostile road environment and again wound up on the wrong side of the score sheet, despite his team being the first to score.
Connor Gaardner had a hat trick for the Sioux, and Rocco Grimaldi (Florida Panthers) notched an empty-netter with 21 seconds to play to propel North Dakota to victory. Clarke Saunders stopped 20 shots to earn the win, and Maguire lost despite 31 saves.