Merrimack’s junior left winger Ryan Flanigan continued his proflific scoring pace in the first period of Saturday evening’s Hockey East Championship game against Boston College.
Flanigan tallied the Warriors’ first goal of the game, to tie the game up against the Eagles. It was Flanigan’s 11th point of the tournament thus far, sixth straight game with points, and his fourth goal this season against the Eagles.
BC’s Pat Mullane struck first, scoring the game’s first goal unassisted at the 9:15 mark of the first frame. It was Mullane’s second goal this season against Merrimack. Not even thirty seconds later, Flanigan tied the game up 1-1.
Eagles first line forward Brian Gibbons scored a minute and a half later. Gibbons and linemates Joe Whitney and Cam Atkinson found time to cycle around Merrimack goalie Joe Cannata, then Gibbons rushed towards his left side, lifting the puck over Cannata’s skate to score.
Merrimack took advantage of a late period holding call on BC’s Mullane to tie the game up 2-2. Mike Collins scored with 24 seconds remaining in the period with help from senior forward Joe Cucci.
The teams both showed outstanding defense during the period. BC’s Atkinson expertly broke up an attempted wraparound by Merrimack center Stephane Da Costa late in the period. Cannata showed great awareness by sliding his goalie stick across the net when knocked onto ice during a BC rush.