Friday, November 7, 1997 at Whittemore Center, Durham, NH
BC 4, NEW HAMPSHIRE 1       HOCKEY EAST GAME
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BOSTON COLLEGE      0  1  3 - 4      (3-1-0 Hockey East, 5-1-0 overall)
U. NEW HAMPSHIRE    1  0  0 - 1      (0-2-0 Hockey East, 4-2-0 overall)
 
       Shots on Goal
BC         18
UNH        31
 
BC - Scott Clemmensen   ?- ?- ? - 30 saves/1 goals (60:00)
UNH- Sean Matile        ?- ?- ? - 14 saves/3 goals (approx. 59:00)
 
COMMENTS (after listening to BC radio broadcast)
---------
Boston College followed up their Tuesday win over New Hampshire with
a second triumph, this time at UNH.  After surrendering an early power
play goal in the first period, BC freshman goalie Scott Clemmensen
recorded 30 saves and held UNH scoreless the rest of the way.  BC gets
a crucial 2nd period goal from captain Marty Reasoner, and the game
winner came early in the third on a spectacular effort by freshman
Brian Gionta.  Reasoner scored with less than 5 minutes to go to give
BC a cushion, and the Eagles were able to hold off strong UNH pressure
at the end of the game.  Nick Pierandri finished off the scoring with
an empty-net goal with 3 seconds left.
 
From the broadcast, the credit for the win has to go to Clemmensen and
a strong penalty-killing effort by the young BC defense (and a little
bit of luck, of course.)  UNH had much of the play in the first period
and late in the game, and was able to mount more offensive pressure than
in the Tuesday game (31 shots tonight versus only 20 on Tuesday.)  But
despite the shots advantage, they couldn't put the puck past Clemmensen,
and BC takes an impressive victory.
 
It may be that BC is starting to show their potential, or that UNH is a
bit off their game early in the season, especially missing one of their
big guns, Derek Bekar.  But Eagles fans have to be happy with this
result, which pushes BC to 3-1 in the league and gives BC the season
edge over UNH already.  That is no small accomplishment, because UNH has
had BC's number in recent years, especially on the big ice surface at
Whittemore.  BC's defense has tightened up compared to previous years,
and they no longer have to score 5 or 6 goals to win a game.
 
I can't tell how UNH played from the BC broadcast, but they indicated
that UNH had plenty of good chances.  Stymied by some bad luck and some
tough BC play, and a continuing inability to cash in on power plays,
cost the Wildcats a chance to gain some revenge for Tuesday's 6-4 loss
at BC.  The quotes from the UNH players after that game implied that
they were not happy and would come out storming tonight.  But after
some early pressure they were unable to score the additional goals that
would have come against past BC teams.  BC continues to show tough 3rd
period play, as they have all season (except against BGSU.)
 
I am curious how the game was viewed by BC or UNH fans who were at the
game, and hope to see some posts from them.  (hint, hint)
--------------------               ----------------------
Rick McAdoo                        [log in to unmask]
"Volunteer reporter"               An excited BC fan.  GO EAGLES!
 
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