First of all thank you Mike, Rick and Tony for getting the
summary across, that was an aweful drive back here, through some thick fog.
I'll chip in the box though. (Kind of funny, only 723 in the building, and four
Hockey-Lers)
 
UMass 5 Boston College 4 (Hockey East No. 8 vs. No. 9 Playoff)
Kelley Rink at Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill, Mass.
 
Scoring by Period  1  2  3  T
UMass              1  3  1  5
Boston College     2  2  0  4
 
First Period:
Scoring
BC Harris (Haggerty, O'Leary) 5:44
UM Perry (Evans) 7:42
BC O'Leary (Chase, Haggerty) PPG 16:00
 
Penalties
BC Hymovitz (Hooking) 8:22
BC Laferriere (Interference) 11:26
UM Rissling (Interference) 15:09
UM Too Many Men 15:41
 
Second Period:
Scoring
UM Jacques 2:24
BC Laferriere (Krayer, Masters) 4:58
UM Evans (Manganaro, Perry) PPG 11:36
BC Ashe (O'Leary) 12:25
UM Bonneau (Corcoran) 12:39
 
Penalties
UM Jacques (Tripping) 2:52
BC Harris (Charging) 6:32
BC Laferriere (misconduct) 10:02
BC G. Callahan (Tripping) 10:02
UM Corcoran (Hittinf From behind) 12:11
UM Rissling (Holding) 13:22
 
Third Period:
Scoring
UM Hooper (Jacques, Norris) PPG 18:09
 
Penalty
BC O'Leary (Elbowing) 17:07
 
Saves by Period  1  2  3    T
Regan-UM-60:00   9  5  6   20
Taylor-BC-58:40  7  8  6   21
 
Penalties
UM 5 for 10 minutes
BC 6 for 20 minutes
 
Powerplays
UM 2/5
BC 1/5
 
Three Stars
1) Jacques-UM (Goal, Assist)
2) O'Leary-BC (Goal, Two Assists)
3) Hooper (Game Winning Goal)
 
        In front of 723, fans (about two-thirds of which were for UMass), the
Minutemen defeated BC and advanced to the semifinals, where they'll face
Maine Saturday night at 8pm in Orono.
        This was a see saw game. The teams swapped goals for the first
two periods. BC scored, UMass came back, BC scored, UMass came back, BC
scored, UMass came back, BC scored, UMass came back.
        Tied 4-4, the third was scoreless, until the 18:09 mark. Brian
Regan was brilliant in the period. I can't believe he only made six saves
like the stat sheet said, he was phenominal.
        Jamie O'Leary was whistled off for Elbowing at 17:07, and no
matter the score and situation, it HAD to be called. Hooper's blast from
the point deflected off of Clifton McHale in front, went past Taylor and
passed UMass on to Maine.
 
        I think it was Tony who commented that it seemed like UMass had
just won Hockey East. You're wrong, that was a national championship AND
Stanley Cup celebration in one. Playing out a dismal stretch run, Mallen
for the past three weeks or so has had nothing except for tonight on his
mind. The final few games were just tune ups for this. This game would be
their season. He took it with the upmost seriousness, and so did the
team. The locker room after the game was just crazy. Whatever happens in
Orono almost doesn't matter. Two years ago UMass didn't have a team, now
they can walk away from their season having defeated No. 1 Maine, won a
ROAD playoff game, and hopefully with the All-Rookie team goaltender.
Couple those with the Mullins Center, the 3,975 average attendance at HE
games, and the strong support of the University, and UMass has built a
solid foundation already, let alone what a win in Alfond and invite to
the garden Party would do for recruiting and fan support.
 
Leigh
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