Junior J.D. Forrest and sophomore Ryan Shannon each tallied a goal and an assist as No. 4 Boston College survived a late onslaught by Massachusetts-Lowell for a 4-3 win Saturday evening in Hockey East action at Tsongas Arena in front of 3,236 fans.
The Eagles (5-0-0, 2-0-0 HE) struck first at 11:27 with a goal by junior Ty Hennes. Hennes took a rebound opportunity low right side and stuffed it between the pads of sophomore goaltender Chris Davidson and the goalpost to give BC a 1-0 lead.
UML sustained good offensive pressure, but big saves by senior netminder Tim Kelleher kept the River Hawks off the scoreboard. BC tallied another attempt as time ran out in the first frame off a blast from Forrest in the slot, putting the Eagles up 2-0 at the first intermission.
The River Hawks got on the board early on in the second. Senior Ed McGrane fed the puck across the crease for linemate Peter Hay. Kelleher made the original save on Hay but was not able to control the rebound, and with McGrane in the area the puck was quickly scooped into the back of the net at :45, cutting the Eagle lead to 2-1.
Within two minutes of the UML tally, the River Hawks went on the power play. Boston College turned the tables, though, as a long pass up-ice from Forrest found Shannon at the UML blue line. Shannon skated in from the left side unobstructed, firing a shot that beat freshman Dominic Smart high at 2:39.
Boston College increased its lead to three goals at 6:20 with sophomore John Adams’ first goal of the season. Adams received the puck between the two circles and beat Smart with a wrist shot high.
UML mounted a comeback a minute later on McGrane’s second goal of the game. Linemate Steve Slonina sent the puck through the air from the right side boards, and McGrane timed his shot perfectly, knocking the puck from the air and into the net at 7:23.
The River Hawks cut the Eagle lead to one with freshman Andrew Martin’s third goal of the season. Classmate Ben Walter sent the puck his own defensive end to Martin at the BC blue line. Martin skated unobstructed into the Eagle zone along the left side, firing a wrist shot that made it just over Kelleher’s pads.
UML pulled its goalie in favor of the extra attacker late, but BC was able to come away with a 4-3 win.
Davidson started in net for the River Hawks, making six saves and allowing two goals. Smart made his first appearance this season for UML, stopping 13 attempts and allowing two goals. Kelleher picked up his third win of the season with a 20-save effort.
Neither team capitalized on three power-play opportunities.
Friday UMass-Lowell (3-3-0, 0-2-0 HE) will take on ECAC member Union at home, while Boston College will travel to South Bend, Ind., to take on Notre Dame.
