Boston College Men’s Hockey Picks Up First Conference Win, Downs Providence 3-2

In a game a week after Boston College and Providence met in Chestnut Hill, this time, in Providence, it was a five minute major on Providence that turned out to be the deciding factor.

After Greg Printz was sent off for a high hit on Aapeli Räsänen, the Eagles put in two goals on the ensuing power play, and another goal in the waning moments of the second to win the back end of the two game weekend for the Eagles 3-2.

After a scoreless first period, it was Providence who scored first. The Friars scored first when Jack Dugan notched his fifth goal of the year on the power play.

But later in the period, Printz was sent off for contacting the head of Räsänen, and the Eagles had a five minute power play. Alex Newhook and David Cotton both scored on the power play to take a lead that the Eagles did not relinquish.

However, the game winning goal ultimately came from Räsänen’s countryman Julius Mattila, who scored with 12 seconds left in the second period, giving the Eagles what ended up being a much-needed insurance goal.

That’s because just after the four minute mark of the third, David Cotton was sent off for checking from behind, giving the Friars a five minute power play. They capitalized just before the one minute mark when Tyce Thompson scored his seventh of the season. Despite an onslaught, however, the Eagles were able to hold on.

The Eagles will return home Friday for a home-and-home with Uconn.