Boston University 4, Boston College 2
For the first time since Jan. 17, 2009, the host and No. 9 Terriers downed their Commonwealth Avenue foe at Agganis Arena as they doubled up the Eagles and broke their ten-game winning streak. Rookie Matt O'Connor made an impressive 35 saves in the BU goal, including 18 in the first period alone in his sixth win of the season. BU wasted no time comforting its lead in the third period as Charlestown, Mass. native Matt Grzelcyk scored his second-career goal (both against BC senior Parker Milner, who made 30 saves in his squad's second loss), lifting the Terriers to their first win over a top-ranked squad since a 4-3 win at Kelley Rink on Jan. 27, 2006. BU never trailed in the game as junior Garrett Noonan scored 9:04 into the second period, while senior captain Wade Megan scored a goal and an assist in the contest. BC sophomore Johnny Gaudreau also posted a goal (his tenth of the season) and a helper on senior Pat Mullane's late second-period tally. The Eagles hope head coach Jerry York will be able to tie Ron Mason for the NCAA Division I wins record (924) on Saturday night in Chestnut Hill.
New Hampshire 5, UMass-Lowell 2
Sophomore Grayson Downing scored twice as the No. 2 Wildcats, thanks to 34 saves from sophomore Casey DeSmith, downed the River Hawks at Whittemore Center to take the season series. With the victory, UNH improves to 10-1-2 on the season and rides a seven-game unbeaten streak into Saturday's game at Tsongas Center. Unlike the season's first meeting, UML was able to crack the scoreboard against DeSmith as junior Shayne Thompson and rookie Michael Colantone scored in the final 21 minutes of the contest. Junior Doug Carr made 21 saves for the visitors, but was replaced by rookie Connor Hellebuyck in the third period. After winning last year's season series against the Wildcats with a series sweep on Dec. 2-3, 2011, Lowell looks to avoid a sweep.
Northeastern 1, Massachusetts 0
The Huskies were able to capture an elusive first road victory of the season as sophomore Adam Reid scored the game-winner on the shorthand at the 17:13 of the second period at Mullins Center. Of Reid's seven career goals - this one assisted by rookie Dustin Darou, three have ultimately decided the game. Reid's goal was also the first by an NU skater in the second period of any Hockey East league game this season. Senior Chris Rawlings' 31-save effort was enough for his third-career shutout of the Minutemen and NU's first road win since toppling Vermont last Jan. 28. NU and UMass, which was led by three players with four shots on goal in the series opener, close out the weekend on Saturday at Matthews Arena.
Vermont 2, Maine 1
Freshmen Yvan Pattyn and Robert Polesello each scored their first-career goals for the Catamounts as they escaped Alfond Arena with their first victory over the host Black Bears in four games. With Pattyn and Polesello each lighting the lamp, UVM has now collected goals from 14 different scorers this season in support of fellow first-year Cat Brody Hoffman, who made 31 saves in his third win of the year and the team's second in five games. Maine senior captain Joey Diamond has seemed to struggle, but lit the lamp for just the second time this season at 16:53 of the first period to open the scoring. After pulling junior Martin Ouellette (31 saves) for an extra skater, sophomore Jake Rutt's game-tying goal in the final eight seconds was disallowed due to a crease violation.
Providence 3, Merrimack 2 (OT)
Senior Tim Schaller scored in the final minute of overtime at Lawler Arena to propel the visiting Friars to their first win on the road in extra time since Jan. 13, 2007. Jon Gillies made his 13th consecutive start in the Friar net and turned aside 25 shots in his seventh win of his rookie season, while sophomore Drew Brown scored PC's first goal in addition to adding an assist on the opener by Johnston, R.I. native Noel Acciari. Schaller became the seventh different Friar to score a game-winning goal this season as he led the squad to its first overtime win since Dec. 2, 2011 (also a road upset of the Warriors). Captain Jordan Heywood led the Warriors with six shots on goal, while Rhett Bly and Connor Toomey scored their goals. The Friars can take their second series sweep in as many years on Saturday as the rematch heads to Schneider Arena.
Joshua Kummins is the Hockey East beat writer and a weekend editor for SB Nation Boston. Follow him on Twitter @JoshuaKummins.