Two high-octane, high-quality, elite hockey programs here, folks. What a fantastic hockey game. Boston College and Minnesota played 65 minutes of hockey and ended up with a thrilling 3-3 tie.
It was an excellent, very well played game, but it did take BC a little bit to adjust to the road atmosphere. The Gophers got on the board just 30 seconds into the game when Hudson Fasching put home a very bad rebound off of BC's freshman goaltender Thatcher Demko. Only 4 minutes later, Travis Boyd tacked on another one for the Gophers to go up 2-0, and BC fans were left shaking their heads wondering if this was going to be another disaster like last year.
Then... PAIN.
BC responded with the white-hot intensity of a thousand suns. Quick-strike madness gave BC three goals in just 1:11, with tallies from John Gaudreau, Michael Sit, and Michael Sit -- to give BC an astonishing 3-2 lead, out of absolutely nowhere.
Five goals in the first ten minutes of the game left everyone feeling like it was going to be a real barn-burner, but both teams and goaltenders really settled down and goals were hard to come by.
Into the second period we would go with BC still holding onto a 3-2 lead. Minnesota goaltender Adam Wilcox had some truly brilliant saves to keep Minnesota within one, and his team responded with the equalizer with less than 5 minutes to go in the period.
After two periods of very even hockey, the third period had the Gophers really put the pressure on. Minnesota outshot BC 11-5 in the frame, but Thatcher Demko responded well, making some timely saves.
And 3-3 the score would be into overtime, when BC freshman defenseman Ian McCoshen made the play of the young season. Minnesota's Taylor Cammarata walked in all alone with just two minutes left in overtime and Demko deflected the puck up in the air.
McCoshen came flying in like a bat out of hell and did some Jobu-voodoo-magic-nonsense to somehow grab the puck and throw it behind his back and keep it out of the net.
Have a look for yourself, above.
Just ridiculous. It saved BC's bacon from what would have been a truly disappointing loss given the quality of play displayed by both teams.
Minnesota is fast. Wow they are fast; and very skilled. They were a very impressive hockey team, and BC should be thrilled with earning the tie.
There was a shootout after the game, and BC won it. That is more of a mention than it even deserves.
And the best part? We get do this all again in 2 days! Hallelujah! These same two teams will have a rematch at 2pm Sunday afternoon. We'll see you right here. Go Eagles.