Chestnut Hill, Mass. – Sophomore forward Benn Ferriero scored two goals and junior goaltender Cory Schneider made 39 saves as ninth-ranked Boston College earned a 4-2 Hockey East victory – and two-game series victory – over third-ranked New Hampshire before a sellout crowd of 7,884 fans on Senior Night in Conte Forum.
Schneider made 12 saves in the first period, 16 in the second stanza and 11 in the final frame to earn his 59th career win.
Senior captain Brian Boyle recorded two assists in his final regular-season home game.
The Eagles (22-11-1, 18-8-1 Hockey East), winners of their last six games, will next host Northeastern in the best-of-three league quarterfinal series beginning on Thursday, March 8.
Ferriero tallied each of the game’s first two scores. He gave the Eagles a one-goal advantage with 20.3 seconds left in the first period, then doubled the home team’s lead with a power-play tally at 3:56 of the middle frame.
New Hampshire junior defenseman Craig Switzer halved BC the margin during the 13th minute of the second period, before BC senior assistant captain Joe Rooney regained the two-goal lead with his 11th goal of the year at 13:19 of the second period.
Sophomore left wing Nathan Gerbe increased the Eagles’ lead to three goals – at 4-1 – with his 21st goal of the year at 9:07 of the final stanza.
UNH’s Greg Collins concluded the game’s scoring at 19:37.
Freshman goalie Brian Foster registered 24 saves in his fourth collegiate start. He falls to 2-2-0.
The Wildcats (23-9-2, 18-7-2 HE), who captured the league regular-season title, host No. 8 seed Providence in the league quarterfinals in Durham, N.H.