Boston College shuts out Minnesota-Duluth for Frozen Four
Monday, March 26, 2012
It’s their home away from home, a place that gives them the extra mile in winning a national championship. All in all, Worcester has been good to Boston College.
The Eagles’ stellar goaltending and high-powered offense shutout former national champion Minnesota-Duluth, 4-0, Sunday night at the DCU Center to advance to its tenth Frozen Four in 15 years.
When going through Worcester, the Eagles have won national titles in 2001, ’08 and ’10.
"We've been fortunate in Worcester, to come out a winner more times than not," BC coach Jerry York said. "[It’s] my favorite place other than Watertown," his hometown.
Eagles defenseman Tommy Cross says he knows about the team’s ability to win in Worcester. "We've had some success here. It's been a good place for us," Cross said.
But it wasn’t the venue that won the game for the Eagles. It was their goaltender Parker Milner, who was named the Northeast Regional MVP. The junior had 33 saves against the Bulldogs and delivered his second straight shutout of the tournament.
"[Milner’s] going on," Cross said. "He's playing unbelievable."
It was the Eagles’ stout defense and goaltending that got them past Air Force in the semifinals, but this time, against the Bulldogs, their sticks were also flying. Minnesota-Duluth started playing more physically in the second period, checking a BC player almost every time they dished off the puck. However, the Eagles would loosen up the Bulldogs defense by scoring a pair of goals in a span of 86 seconds.
Center Pat Mullane started the offensive onslaught for Boston College, scoring off a nice feed from winger Steven Whitney from behind the net. Then, on the other end of the ice, Milner made another solid save on Jack Connolly’s wrister just seconds later.
Then it was back on offense for BC. The Eagles would make it 2-0 when center Bill Arnold would score on a face-off.
The Bulldogs would have no answer for BC due to the Eagles ability to control the puck, which game UMD very few looks at the net.
Two goals in the third period by BC would seal the shutout for the Eagles. Patrick Wey made it 3-0 on a strange goal 1:13 into the final period. He collected a loose puck in the left circle and lofted it into the air. The puck then arched over Reiter and went into the net over his left shoulder. Johnny Gaudreau iced the game with another goal with 7:30 remaining in the game.
With this win, the Eagles have now extended its win streak to a staggering 17 games, the longest in York’s 18 seasons with the team.
BC will now face Minnesota in the semifinals, April 5 in Tampa. Minnesota is seeking its sixth NCAA championship, while BC is looking for its fifth. Ferris State and Union College will be playing in the other national semifinal game later that night.
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