Northeastern has Boston College playing scared hockey after the first period of their Hockey East semifinal. The two teams headed into the first intermission tied 1-1, but the Huskies have the Eagles playing out of sorts after a dominating first period.
Northeastern senior Tyler McNeely scored the game’s first goal at the 6:12 mark of the first, getting past a skittish John Muse. McNeely got assistance from fellow seniors Steve Silva and Wade MacLeod on the goal. It was McNeely’s first goal in eight games. Northeastern has now scored the first goal in every one of their playoff games this season, and Silva has now recorded a point in every game.
Two minutes later, Boston College senior Brian Gibbons snagged his 17th goal of the season, catching Northeastern’s Chris Rawling’s out of position and snagging it past his right skate to tie the game. Gibbons had help from junior Cam Atkinson on the goal, which was his sixth point against Northeastern thus far this season.
As the first period ticked away, Northeastern freshman defenseman Luke Eiber awkwardly hit Gibbons against his own bench, which set up emotions on both sides. BC’s Stephen Whitney and Northeastern’s Braden Pimm vocally jabbed at each other, but kept their hands to themselves – for now. Gibbons didn’t return for the Eagles as the second period began.
There was only one penalty in the first period – a Gibbons tripping call just before the halfway mark of the period. BC successfully killed the penalty, leaving Northeastern only 6 for 25 on the power play against the Eagles this season.