Jerry York won his 925th game as a college hockey head coach, surpassing Ron Mason as the all-time winningest coach in NCAA history, as No. 1 Boston College beat Alabama Huntsville, 5-2, in the first game at the 2012 Mariucci Classic on Saturday.
[scg_html_york925]York has never strived for personal goals, but rather championships. He credits great players for his success.
“Coaches coach and play to win trophies,” York said. “Maybe when I sit down on some porch in 10 years thinking about it, but I have always been about team. I have never really sought individual goals. Starting with Dave Taylor back at Clarkson, Rob Blake at Bowling Green, and a whole bunch of guys at BC.”
Three early goals and solid goaltending allowed BC to cruise to a victory. The Chargers generated quite a few shots and played territorially even with BC after the initial three-goal deluge. The quality of scoring chances and the finishing skills of the Eagles were just too much for the underdog.
Jeff Vanderlugt put the Chargers in the scoring column at 5:38 of the second, slamming home a rebound of a shot from Steven Koshey.
Craig Pierce notched a late UAH second goal as he tipped a shot that fluttered over BC goalie Parker Milner.
The first period set the tone for the game. The Eagles flew to a three-goal lead and seemed to relax on their way to the win.
Cam Spiro opened the scoring at 2:53 on a backhanded tap-in from the right goalmouth off a rebound of a shot by Teddy Doherty. It was Spiro’s first career goal.
Bill Arnold made it 2-0 at 11:15, elevating a backhand as he skated around a defenseman and past the fallen goaltender John Griggs, who had committed early on the play.
Just 72 seconds later, Danny Linell made it 3-0 Eagles on a goal from the side of the net that deflected in off Griggs.
UAH awoke after BC’s third goal, outshooting BC, 8-1, for the remainder of the first, but failed to get a puck past Milner. UAH played with the Eagles for the rest of the game.
Also scoring for the Eagles were Brendan Silk and Steven Whitney.
“I feel good. I feel healthy. I enjoy what I do,” York said. “As long as BC feels I am doing a good job.”
The second day of the Mariucci Classic features Alabama-Huntsville vs. Air Force at 4 p.m. CST, while Boston College will face host Minnesota at 7 p.m.
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