For a while there, it looked like it might be easy. But where's the fun in that?
After BC jumped out to a three goal lead, Minnesota-Duluth fought back with a pair late in the third period to put a scare into the Eagles. But Thatcher Demko, with an assist in the crease from Austin Cangelosi, held off the Bulldogs and helped BC to the 2015 Frozen Four with a 3-2 win over Duluth.
Boston College Goal #1: 14:06 of the 1st period
Teddy Doherty (Adam Gilmour)
BC 1, UMD 0
Just like against Harvard, the Eagles got on the board first to put the pressure on.
This goal is courtesy of a magnificent pass from Adam Gilmour. Gilmour not only wins a puck battle on two different Duluth skaters, but draws them both with him before dropping a no-look, through the legs pass back to Doherty.
That gives Doherty a clean lane almost all the way to the net, and the captain just barely shoots the puck through Duluth goalie Kasimir Kaskisuo to give BC the lead.
Boston College Goal #2: 2:52 of the 2nd period
Teddy Doherty (Zach Sanford, Chris Calnan)
BC 2, UMD 0
Now this is how you take care of your captain. Make the dirty plays and give your leader all the glory.
Teddy Doherty is once again the beneficiary of some excellent work by his linemates. Chris Calnan is the engine that makes this goal goal with a very well-earned secondary assist.
Duluth's Brenden Kotyk is actually the first player to the puck in the corner, but Calnan doesn't concede the play. He loses the race, but wins the fight, shielding the puck long enough for some help to show up in front of the net.
Sanford gets the initial shot, but Doherty's there to put home the rebound to give BC some insurance early in the 2nd period.
The Eagles played well for the rest of the 2nd period, but Thatcher Demko in particular made some jaw-dropping saves... not the least of which was this one that kept the Eagles up by two into the 2nd intermission:
A kick save... AND A BEAUTY!
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 27, 2016
We'll be seeing Thatcher Demko on #SCtop10 tonight! #NCAAHockey pic.twitter.com/0qpbwJ4W8O
In the third period, BC got a little more insurance.
Boston College Goal #3 (PPG, GWG): 6:35 of the 3rd period
Ryan Fitzgerald (Scott Savage, Casey Fitzgerald)
BC 3, UMD 0
The clock is winding down on BC's 4th power play, but the Eagles were finally able to convert.
Ryan Fitzgerald is a man with an NHL shot. But he helps his own cause by keeping Duluth from gaining possession along the boards. Instead, Fitzgerald's disruption allows the puck to go all the way back to Scott Savage.
Savage takes advantage of an aggressive Duluth penalty killer to dish back to Fitzgerald, who waits what feels like an eternity before ripping off one hell of a snipe all the way through for the goal.
That insurance goal turned out to be pretty important.
Minnesota-Duluth Goal #1 (PPG): 12:49 of the 3rd period
Austin Farley (Willie Raskob, Alex Iafallo)
BC 3, UMD 1
BC's PK had been strong in the young tournament, but just one unsuccessful kill put the Eagles on their heels.
This is an impressive shot by Farley. Femko's a big boy, and there is almost no room over that left shoulder. Farley finds what little is there and rifles it in to give Duluth some life.
Minnesota-Duluth Goal #2: 15:34 of the 3rd period
Karson Kuhlman (Austin Farley, Tony Cameranesi)
BC 3, UMD 2 - FINAL
Shortly after, Duluth had a little bit more than just "some life" -- they put themselves right back in the game.
Demko made an incredible save on the initial shot, but with that kind of extension there's no way to have any sort of control on the rebound. Ian McCoshen can't clear the garbage, and the puck just barely trickles past Demko's outstretched leg for the goal.
It was gut check time, and there was plenty of time for Duluth to get the tying goal. They very nearly did, but thanks to a goal-line stop from Austin Cangelosi, one goal away was as close as they would get.
Cangelosi SAVES THE DAY! #NCAAHockey pic.twitter.com/TzVUfvsB6B
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 27, 2016
And that would be that. It was a heart-stopping final 5 minutes, but the Eagles are going to the Frozen Four!
BC will play the winner of the Sunday evening's East Regional final between Quinnipiac and UMass-Lowell. In the meantime, they'll have two weeks to rest up and pack the sunscreen for their trip down to Tampa. It's BC's 25th Frozen Four appearance, passing Michigan's 24 for the most all-time.
And no, it never gets old.