Boston College 5, Massachusetts 4 (OT)
Despite falling down by three goals after two periods at the Mullins Center, the No. 3 Boston College Eagles came all the way back and posted the overtime victory over the Minutemen. Sophomore Johnny Gaudreau tipped in a shot from senior captain Pat Mullane at 3:37 of the extra frame to lift the Eagles to their first win of the new regular season and third in a row over UMass, dating back to the Hockey East quarterfinal sweep last March. Mullane had a strong night, scoring twice in 1:10 in the final five minutes of the third period, en route to capping the game with his 100th career point - the lone helper on Gaudreau's winner. Senior Parker Milner earned the victory with a 20-save effort, despite allowing three goals for the second game in a row. Newly minted senior captain Rocco Carzo scored two of UMass' first three goals, while classmate Darren Rowe scored its lone tally in the third period. Sophomore Steve Mastalerz got his first start of the season over sophomore Kevin Boyle and made a solid 37 stops in his first decision. For the first time in the regular season, the Eagles return home on Saturday night to host Northeastern in a rematch of last Saturday's 3-1 Husky win at Matthews Arena.
Providence 1, Miami 1 (OT)
Sophomore Ross Mauermann scored just 5:55 into the game and rookie Jon Gillies, the reigning Hockey East co-Defensive Player of the Week, made 27 saves in goal as the Friars held on to draw against the No. 4 RedHawks in their first visit to Goggin Ice Arena since 1999. Mauermann has been on a roll to start the season as he also set a new career benchmark with three points in last Friday's win over Sacred Heart. Rookie Riley Barber scored his second goal in the first three games to lead the UM offense but it was not enough to maintain a fully unblemished mark, after last weekend's sweep of Colgate. The teams will look to break a 3-3-1 deadlock in the all-time series as they play the finale of a weekend series in Oxford, Ohio on Saturday night.
Alaska 3, Merrimack 2
Junior Sam Marotta allowed three power-play goals in the second period, proving to be the difference on the opening night of the Brice Alaska Goal Rush at Fairbanks' Carlson Center. Despite defeat, things started strong for the Warriors as sophomore Quinn Gould scored at 14:47 of the first - his second goal of the season. Junior Mike Collins returned to the scoresheet for the first time in the young campaign as he gave Merrimack a 2-0 lead at 2:02 of the second, but from there, it was all Nanooks as they surged in the final stanza to take their first win of the season. The trip was Merrimack's first to Fairbanks since a two-game weekend sweep in 1995 and its first to The Last Frontier since 2006. It continues on Saturday at 8 p.m. EST against Alaska-Anchorage.
Denver 5, UMass-Lowell 1
The River Hawks fell down by two early in the first period and then allowed three scores within just 110 seconds during the third period to drop the contest at Magness Arena, despite the second goal in as many games from junior Josh Holmstrom late in the second period. Rookie Connor Hellebuyck got the start and made 23 saves, while junior Doug Carr relieved him midway through the final stanza, making five stops. Sam Brittain was equal to the task in goal for the Pioneers as he made 37 saves in the season-opening victory. UML hits the road again for a Saturday night showdown with Colorado College at World Arena.
St. Lawrence 5, Maine 0
The Saints surged past junior Dan Sullivan (17 saves) and the Black Bears in the first of two this weekend at Alfond Arena as counterpart Matt Weninger posted his second win of the season in a 30-save shutout. Rookie Devin Shore and senior Joey Diamond manned the wings on the top unit, registering three shots each for Maine. Potential Hobey Baker Award candidate Kyle Flanagan posted three assists, centering Westwood, Mass. native Gunnar Hughes and New Hampshire Junior Monarchs product Patrick Doherty, who each scored once. In Saturday's rematch, Maine seeks its third win in four games over an ECAC opponent.
Saturday's schedule:
Northeastern at Boston College, 7 p.m.
Boston University at New Hampshire, 7 p.m. (WBIN/Fox College)
St. Lawrence at Maine, 7 p.m. (WABI)
Providence at Miami, 7 p.m.
Merrimack vs. Alaska-Anchorage, 8 p.m.
Brice Alaska Goal Rush
UMass-Lowell at Colorado College, 9 p.m.
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