Boston College
Merrimack
Kelleher Backs Hockey To 2-1 Victory
February 15, 2002 | Men's Hockey
Feb. 15, 2002
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Dave Spina's power-play goal 4:25 into the third period broke a 1-1 tie and lifted Boston College to a 2-1 HOCKEY EAST victory over Merrimack before 5,688 fans at Kelley Rink. Tim Kelleher backed the win with 28 saves in net for the Eagles.
Anthony Aquino scored his 23rd goal of the year at 16:54 of the first period to give Merrimack (9-19-2, 4-14-2 HEA) a 1-0 lead after the first period. Ryan Cordeiro and Nick Parillo set up Aquino, who beat Kelleher with a wrap-around shot on the left side.
Just 1:18 into the second period, Anthony D'Arpino scored his second goal in as many games to put Boston College (16-13-2, 8-10-1) on the scoreboard and tie the score at 1-1. Jeff Giuliano and Ales Dolinar assisted on D'Arpino's goal, a wrist shot from the left face-off circle that trickled through the pads of Warrior goaltender Joe Exter.
Spina's goal broke the 1-1 tie and gave the Eagles the lead for good. J.D. Forrest's shot from the point deflected off Tony Voce and went right to Spina, who had an open net on the right side for his 10th goal of the season.
Both goaltenders had strong showings. Kelleher made 28 saves - including 14 in the second period - for the win, while Exter made 29 saves in the loss. Each goaltender made goal line saves to preserve the score.
The two teams will play again on Saturday, Feb. 16 at the Volpe Complex in a 7 p.m. game.
