Five Thoughts: BU vs BC

Here are five thoughts from the first period with Boston College tied with Boston University 1-1 after the first 20 minutes of play at Kelley Rink.

1) Dominant first period for Boston College, who gained momentum in front of the home crowd before finally breaking through. The Eagles actually had a goal taken off the board due to goalie interference, but snapped right back into the attack. Pretty clear they have the confidence of an elite college hockey team.

2) Johnny Gaudreau had his top-shelf sniper goal wiped out by the contact made in the crease with BU goalie Matt O'Connor, but it's easy how much skill the forward owns. He and linemates Pat Mullane and Steve Whitney were dominating the cycle game before Mullane set him up for the disqualified goal. Calgary looks like they've got a good one. That line had eight of BC's 13 shots in first period.

3) Teddy Doherty crashed the net for BC's goal, but it was Dorchester native Kevin Hayes' 6-foot-3, 213-pound body that drew all the defenders to him setting up the score.

4) BU forward Wade Megan first popped on my radar a couple of years ago when he scored a goal in the outdoor game at Fenway, and he's continued to develop into a special college hockey player. He dangled his way through three BC defenders before starting a tic-tac-toe passing sequence that led to a Cason Hohmann goal. Megan is a Panthers draft pick and has plenty to like with his skill and 6-foot-1, 190-pound size as well.

5) Freshman BU goalie Matt O'Connor continues to impress in net. Twelve saves in the first period and plenty of composure when the Eagles poured it on in the second half of the first period.

SECOND PERIOD

Here are five thoughts from the second period with the BC Eagles leading the BU Terriers by a commanding 4-1 score after 40 minutes of play at Kelley Rink.

1) Matt O'Connor is pretty solid in net for BU, but there's not much a goalie can do when his team is being outshot by a 29-14 margin. BC is bringing it tonight.

2) A couple of BC goals for Needham, Mass native Bill Arnold. Both come as a result of good, old-fashioned crashing the net and forcing the issue in the painted area. After holding strong last night, BU defense is being overwhelmed tonight.

3) A hockey game can always change on a 5-on-3 power play for better or for worse, and the Eagles made sure they cashed in on a pair of PP goals during that stretch. It should be a cakewalk in the third, but as we all know anything can happen when it comes to BCBU.

4) Things getting chippy as the game spirals out of control. Steve Whitney took a retaliation penalty after absorbing a hit in front of the BU net and BU defenseman Ahti Oksanen took a cross-checking penalty with 2 seconds left in the period.

5) I can't believe it took me this long to see Gangnam Style at a hockey rink this season. That's just sad.

THIRD PERIOD

Here are five thoughts from the third period with the top-ranked BC Eagles taking down the BU Terriers by a 5-2 score at Kelley Rink.

1) Wakefield native Brendan Silk pots his first NCAA goal after beating a slacking BU defenseman to a loose puck and faking out Terriers goalie Matt O'Connor. I remember seeing Silk a few years ago at Austin Prep, and the skill has been readily apparent all the time for the 18-year-old.

2) Not much of a presence from Boston Bruins draft pickTerriers defenseman Matt Grzelcyk tonight after he was all over the ice for BU last night. One shot and no points through the first two periods.

3) Bill Arnold and Pat Mullane form a devastating 1-2 combo for faceoffs for the Eagles from the center position. Arnold had won 12 of 15 faceoffs through two periods.

4) Its only proper that BC head coach Jerry York was able to get the record-tying win and against dear friend and noted foe Jack Parker. These two deans of hockey have been intertwined in life and hockey seemingly forever.

5) Tough night for BU all-around as there wasn't much to notice about the Terriers aside from Wade Megan. They were swallowed up by a fired up Boston College team.