Boston College
Massachusetts
Hockey Defeats UMass-Amherst, 6-3
February 24, 2001 | Men's Hockey
Feb. 24, 2001
AMHERST, Mass.-- Senior Brian Gionta tallied two goals and four teammates added one goal apiece to lead second-ranked Boston College to a 6-3 HOCKEY EAST victory over UMass-Amherst at the Mullins Center in Amherst, Mass.
The victory raises Boston College's record to 24-8-2, including 15-5-2 in HOCKEY EAST action. The Eagles need just one point in their final two games -- against Northeastern on March 1 and at Boston University on March 4 -- to secure the top seed in the HOCKEY EAST Tournament. With two points, BC would gain sole possession of the league's regular-season crown.
Boston College led 2-0 after one period and never surrendered the lead in the final two stanzas. UMass-Amherst (7-21-4) closed the BC margin to one goal three times, but each time the visiting Eagles answered.
Freshman Chuck Kobasew opened the scoring at 15:23 of the first period, and Gionta added his first goal of the night late in the period.
After the Minutemen got on the scoreboard, BC senior Bobby Allen extended the Eagles' lead to 3-1. UMass-Amherst responded with another goal to narrow its deficit, but senior Marty Hughes' power-play goal at 15:38 proved to be the decisive tally.
Freshman Ben Eaves added an unassisted goal at 16:21 of the third period, and Gionta tallied an insurance goal just 31 seconds late to finish the scoring. For Gionta, the final goal marked his 27th goal of the season.
Boston College (24-8-2) outshot UMass-Amherst, 37-22. BC senior Scott Clemmensen made 19 saves.
Boston College returns to action on Thursday, March 1 when it hosts Northeastern in Kelley Rink. Game time is 7 p.m.
Note: While the Eagles can secure the top seed in the upcoming HOCKEY EAST Tournament with one points and win the league's regular-season title with two points, Boston College could also achieve these goals if Providence fails to gain a sweep of its upcoming two-game series at Maine.
