Friday, October 27, 2000 at Kelley Rink (Conte Forum), Chestnut Hill, MA
UW 3, BC 2 NON-CONFERENCE GAME
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UNIV. OF WISCONSIN (WCHA) 0 1 2 - 3 (7-0-0 overall)
BOSTON COLLEGE (HE) 1 1 0 - 2 (4-1-0 overall)
Shots on Goal Pen - Min Power Play
UW 4- 8- 8 -- 20 9 - 18 2 - 5
BC 9-10-13 -- 32 9 - 18 2 - 5
UW - Graham Melanson 8- 9-13 - 30 saves/2 goals (60:00)
BC - Scott Clemmensen 4- 7- 6 - 17 saves/3 goals (58:50)
3 Stars: UW Matt Murray, BC Krys Kolanos, UW Graham Melanson
COMMENTS
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Wisconsin endured a strong Boston College opening period and rode a good
performance by Graham Melanson to win a tough 3-2 battle Friday night.
This game between the current #1 and #2 teams lived up to its billing, with
most observers thinking both these teams could go far into the post-season
this year. Melanson earned number 3 star with a 30-save effort, and
Matt Murray converted a shorthanded goal in the 3rd period for the winning
margin. All goals in the game were scored on special teams, 4 on the
power play and the final shorthanded game-winner.
The first period was very fast and open, with BC buzzing with a lot of
speed. The Badgers came close to taking the lead at 3:30 when Dany
Heatley captured a loose puck and fired a hard slap shot that sailed just
wide of the far post. BC took a 1-0 lead on the power play at 5:45.
Brian Gionta came flying into the zone on the left side unmolested as the
defense was trying to push Ales Dolinar offside (unsuccessfully.) Gionta
drove to the net and tried to fire it by Melanson; the initial shot was
saved but Krys Kolanos followed the rebound and stuffed it into the net.
BC was using its speed to gain possession and bother the UW offense, who
managed only 4 shots on goal in the first. There were some hard checks as
well, with Wisconsin's Kent Davyduke briefly off the ice to shake out some
cobwebs after a crunching check.
The Badgers had a brief scare at one point when a bouncing puck slid back
toward Melanson. As he came out to play the puck it hopped past his stick
and slid slowly toward the open net, only to be cleared by a retreating
defenseman. A BC power play after that found a shot ringing off the
crossbar. UW fought back later in the period but were back on their
heels too much and could not generate offense, even on a power play. The
period ended 1-0 and the Wisconsin captains were complaining to the referee
about BC's stick work and tactics. This may have paid off immediately in
the second period.
After the break BC took a penalty just 8 seconds into the period on an
obstruction interference call, bodying a forechecking forward out of the
play. After a delay to fix broken glass following a hard hit on the
boards, the Badgers scored on a nice rush by Matt Hussey. He came up
center ice with lots of speed and froze BC defenseman Bill Cass, then
sped around him for an open drive to the net. His low shot found the
5-hole to even the score at 1-1. BC regained some forechecking pressure
after that and drew a penalty that generated a 2nd lead. Freshman Ben
Eaves made a nice play to keep the puck in the zone on a clearing attempt
by the Badgers, and subsequently fed a pass low to Kolanos. He spun the
puck across the face of the goal (not sure if a shot or a pass), and it
came to the right side for Ales Dolinar. He deposited it in the
back of the open right side and BC led again 2-1.
Wisconsin played noticably harder in the 2nd period, elevating their
physical play, and penalties started to mount later in the period. Both
teams had chances, and David Hukalo had a golden chance all alone in
front off a Heatley feed, only to fire it over the net completely.
Melanson made some nice saves to hold BC off, and BC's defense had to
scramble to keep Wisconsin from getting good shots. A late BC penalty
would ultimately lead to the tying goal early in the third period.
The third period started with a 4x3 UW power play, and Clemmensen had
to make a nice save early. After 2 players came back, Matt Doman got
a close-in backhand shot that was blocked by the defense and was bouncing
in front of the net in a crowd. Brad Winchester hit the puck out of
mid-air and put it in the net. BC put pressure on with their next
power play chance but it was Wisconsin who got the game-winner. BC
turned the puck over and UW came down ice 2-on-2, but, with BC having
all forwards on the ice, their defensive attempt was not as strong as
it should be. Andy Wheeler carried the puck around the defense, wrapped
around the net, and pushed the puck to the crease. The first shot was
saved but Matt Murray was there to swat the rebound home for the last
goal of the game. Wisconsin played fairly conservatively from that
point forward, letting BC carry the puck on the perimeter but not letting
them get many good shots. Melanson cleaned up any shots that did come
his way, and despite pulling the goalie, the Eagles could not tie the
score in the last minute.
This was a very good hockey game from the outset, and both teams played
well. Passing was fairly good, the defenses worked hard, and goals were
hard to come by. If not for the special teams, this might have ended
0-0. No one would be surprised if both these teams had a shot at the
NCAA title, with Wisconsin the early favorite. They have good goalkeeping,
some star players, lots of size and decent speed, and are deep enough
to wear opponents down. BC's freshmen, relied upon to replace some of
the lost talent from last year, played well. If you didn't know some of
them were freshman, it wouldn't be obvious from their play.
Wisconsin fought their way to a win in this battle, and had to get up
again to play a tough Northeastern team Saturday night. NU is especially
tough at home, and UW found that out, as they ended up losing 5-4 in
overtime for their first loss of the year. But they tied it late after
trailing 4-2 to force the overtime, showing their toughness late in the
game, just as they showed Friday night. BC had to pick themselves up after
this tough loss and play UMass-Amherst in their Hockey East opener Sunday
night.
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Rick McAdoo [log in to unmask]
"Volunteer reporter" A pleased BC fan. GO EAGLES!
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