Frozen Four 2012: Boston College Crowned National Champs After 4-1 Win Over Ferris State

Boston College won its third national title in five years Saturday night, as they beat Ferris State, 4-1, in the NCAA men's hockey championship game.

The Eagles faced more pressure from the Bulldogs then they had by any other team this post-season. Ferris State frustrated Boston College through much of the second and third periods, skating with a speed close to the Eagles' trademark and creating opportunities around the net.

Despite Ferris State's level of play, Boston College goaltender Parker Milner gave one of the steadiest performances of his career. Milner didn't even have the starting job through the early part of this season, but you wouldn't have known that from his series of stellar performances through the NCAA Tournament. Milner finished Saturday night with 27 saves and was named the Frozen Four's most valuable player.

Steven Whitney started the scoring early for the Eagles. Whitney rushed past a Ferris State player and scooted the puck past Ferris State goalie Taylor Nelson just over three minutes into the game. The Bulldogs answered with a Garrett Thompson goal that was dished over the left skate of Milner almost exactly two minutes later to even the score.

Five minutes later, Paul Carey tipped a high Brian Dumoulin shot from the blue line to score and give the Eagles a lead they would never relinquish. Carey's goal was reviewed for a possible high stick, but the score stood.

Ferris State had many grade-A chances in the second period, peppering Milner with 15 shots and causing him to make several flashy saves. The Bulldogs' pressure got to the Eagles, and they took five penalties in the frame.

Boston College cleaned up their act in the third period, but found themselves skating a bit tentatively. Ferris State continued to try for a tying goal, and had several shots go just wide of the net or peter out early.

Eagles' freshman Johnny Gaudreau scored with a showstopper goal with just over three minutes left in the game. Gaudreau juggled the puck through the legs of a Ferris State player and shot high on Nelson, hitting the inner top of the net to put the game out of reach for Ferris State.

Ferris State pulled Nelson for the extra attacker after Gaudreau's goal, but the scheming didn't work. Whitney netted his second goal of the game with an empty netter with a little over a minute left in the game.

The championship is Boston College head coach Jerry York's fifth national title (four with the Eagles and one with Bowling Green) and the program's fifth overall.