Boston College Athletics
Boston College
Michigan
No. 2 Men's Hockey Beats Michigan, 4-1
December 27, 2003 | Men's Hockey
Dec. 27, 2003
Detroit - After a 16-day layoff, the second-ranked Boston College hockey team returned to action with a 4-1 win over sixth-ranked Michigan at the 39th Annual Great Lakes Invitational in front of 13,159 at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena. Freshman goalie Joe Pearce made 34 saves and Ryan Shannon and Ben Eaves each handed out two assists as the Eagles extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games.
Boston College opened the scoring in the final minute of the first period. Skating with a four-on-three advantage, the Eagles controlled the puck in the offensive zone. Junior defenseman Andrew Alberts took a feed on the point from classmate Ryan Shannon and one-timed a slapshot over the blocker of Michigan goalkeeper Noah Ruden for his third goal of the season to put BC ahead, 1-0 at 19:20 of the first. Shannon's assist marked the 11th straight game in which he has recorded at least one point.
The Eagles took over the game late in the third period, scoring three goals in just more than five minutes. At 12:42, with the Eagles skating shorthanded, Eaves sprung loose with the puck and found J.D. Forrest on the left circle. Forrest found Tony Voce with a drop pass and the senior forward fired the puck past Ruden's blocker for his NCAA-leading 15th goal of the season. Chris Collins scored less than three minutes later when Dave Spina fed him in front of the net and Stephen Gionta's goal at 18:01 gave Boston College a 4-0 advantage. Michigan avoided being shut out when Joe Kautz scored his first goal of the season at 19:16.
Pearce's 34 saves were the most by a BC goalie this season. It was the freshman's first appearance since he allowed three goals against Merrimack on November 18 in Chestnut Hill. Pearce got the start in place of junior Matti Kaltiainen, who was sitting out for a violation of team rules. BC (12-2-3, 6-0-2 Hockey East) was also without sophomore Patrick Eaves, who is in Finland playing for the United States in the World Junior Championships.
The Eagles will take on Michigan State on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. for the GLI championship.
Game Notes: Ryan Shannon extended his point-scoring streak to 11 games ... Ben Eaves and Tony Voce both extended their point-scoring streaks to six games ... Eaves has now recorded multiple assists in three straight games.
