Boston College Athletics
Hockey Tops Ohio State, 3-2
June 21, 1999 | Men's Hockey
October 9, 1998
MINNEAPOLIS - Sophomore forward Brian Gionta recorded three goals, including the game-winning tally at 1:17 of the second overtime session, to lead top-ranked Boston College to a 4-3 season-opening win over fourth-ranked Ohio State in the Icebreaker Cup at Mariucci Arena. The game marked a rematch of the teams meeting in the semifinal round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament at the FleetCenter in Boston.
Gionta's hat trick was the third of his collegiate career. Last year, Gionta led the nation's freshmen in scoring with 62 points.
Boston College dominated the first period, jumping out to a 2-0 lead before the first intermission. Senior Matt Mulhern's goal at 10:03 opened the scoring, and Gionta doubled the Eagles lead at 13:16. Freshman Jeff Giuliano and senior Andy Powers assisted on Gionta's goal. BC outshot Ohio State, 17-6, in the first 20 minutes.
Gionta's second goal of the evening, at 10:58 of the middle period, extended BCs lead to 3-0. Ohio State's Louie Colsant netted a power-play goal at 18:31 of the same period to trim the Eagles advantage.
The Buckeyes controlled the first half of the third period, and netted two goals in just more than two minutes to even the score at 3-3 with 8:24 remaining in regulation. Junior Hugo Boisvert netted a power-play goal at 9:28 to bring OSU within one goal, and senior Brandon Lafrance tied the game with an unassisted tally.
After a Boston College time-out, the Eagles regained some momentum in the final minutes, but the score remained tied.
The two teams battled through one five-minute scoreless overtime, before Gionta ended the game in the second extra session.
Boston College will meet St. Lawrence in the tournament's title game on Saturday, October 10 at 9 p.m. (eastern time).
