Holy War On Ice: #1 Boston College Outlasts #7 Notre Dame, 3-1

It's not often that you see such a defensive style of game with so much action.

BC and Notre Dame managed only 22 and 20 shots respectively, but each team managed a ton of grade-A chances. The result was something akin to a pitcher's duel in baseball: Every chance doubles your heart rate, and every missed opportunity feels like it's just begging to come back to haunt you. In the end, BC took advantage of their chances enough to beat the Irish 3-1.

The first period had few opportunities for either team. BC only managed four shots in the frame, which had to have been the fewest one-period shot total for the team in years. A late 5-on-3 for Notre Dame was unsuccessful and the teams went into the locker room scoreless.

During the first intermission, the Eagles must have watched Bill Romanowski's pep talk for the football team, because holy hell, it was all BC in the second. The Eagles' defense went into Jerry-York-Postseason-LOCKDOWN-MODE and allowed just two -- two! -- Notre Dame shots in the period.

BC got on the board early with Pat Mullane breaking in alone and fitting a backhand through the five-hole of Summerhays (haha, Summerhays...). Later in the frame, Johnny #GaudreaubeyBaker came in on a 2-on-1, went straight to the net, and roofed a goal for the 2-0 lead.

The third period was much more even and BC was guilty of playing a little bit passive. Notre Dame took advantage by putting in a goal on a scrum roughly halfway through the period to cut the Eagle lead in half.

Two huge penalty kills later, and some very nicely played hockey by the bottom lines to pin Notre Dame deep with just a minute remaining, Gaudreau managed to put home the empty netter on a sharp angle shot with just three seconds remaining to ice the victory.

I feel the need to point out my concerns with BC seemingly winning only close games, but this game played out pretty much exactly how you would have expected to beat Notre Dame. The Irish play a very, very defensive style of game, and BC needed to take advantage of the chances they would have. Also, Notre Dame is, err, quite good.

Not too many teams can complain about how they beat the #7 team in the country.

Now we have two days to prep and stress out over the first of at least three games this season against the rat dogs, this time on the scummy end of Comm Ave. #11 BU comes into the game after a 3-1 win over Merrimack up at Lawler Arena, and is playing... honestly, some pretty decent hockey (blech). The game is Sunday at 5pm, with the Bruins broadcasting crew of Andy Brickley (!) and Jack Edwards (!!!!!) calling the game on NESN.

BC has a chance to sweep two top-ranked teams and continue the winning streak.

Oh, and also dropkick the puntable pups in their own house.