Merrimack came out firing to open the second period with the first three goals in less than six minutes, but the top-ranked Boston College Eagles found that little challenge as they came back to tie the score at 3-3 after 40 minutes. BC held a 16-7 shots edge for the period in order to extend it to 30-21 for the entirety of the game.
Just 1:15 into the proceedings, Swedish rookie John Gustafsson capped off a 2-on-1 play with classmate Brian Christie for his first goal as a Warrior to put the visitors ahead with the opening goal of the contest.
Senior defenseman Kyle Bigos was quick to follow up that strong effort from a pair of freshmen as he ripped a one-time slap shot from just inside the blue line to give Merrimack its second of the night and the second of the year for the California native.
The Warriors showed no sign of letting up as Boston native and junior Mike Collins beat BC senior Parker Milner by jamming a loose puck over the goal line without any assist at 5:51.
After Merrimack head coach Mark Dennehy elected for a timeout, the Eagles began the comeback trail when senior alternate captain Steven Whitney finally solved junior Sam Marotta with a wrister from the high slot at 7:39 to put the hosts within two goals.
Senior Patrick Wey and sophomore Danny Linell went rapid fire to tie the score, each posting their inaugural goals of the season in just over a minute. At 11:50 (on the power play), Wey picked up the puck in the right circle for an open shot on cage after Marotta fell to his backside while playing the puck.
On the third marker for the Eagles, Linell made a great play for his score at 12:53, firing a nifty backhand shot from the right post.
Joshua Kummins is the Hockey East beat writer and a weekend editor for SB Nation Boston. Follow him on Twitter @JoshuaKummins.