BOSTON, Mass. - Top-ranked Boston University rolled to a 6-2 win over eighth-seeded Maine in the third and decisive game of the Hockey East quarterfinals on Sunday evening at Agganis Arena. Sophomore Nick Bonino and senior Brandon Yip each tallied a goal and an assist for the Terriers, who improve to 29-6-4 and will face Boston College on Friday (March 20) in the conference semifinals at the TD Banknorth Garden.
BU becomes the first school to advance to the Hockey East semifinals eight straight seasons, while the Black Bears end their season with a record of 13-22-4.
The Terriers scored in the opening minute before the visitors scored their sixth power-play goal of the weekend to make it a 1-1 contest at 14:19 of the first. BU, however, quickly scored two more goals as part of a five-goal run to seal the victory in its final home game of the season.
Seniors Matt Gilroy and John McCarthy and freshman David Warsofsky all had two assists each, while junior Zach Cohen, sophomores Colby Cohen and Joe Pereira and freshman Corey Trivino each recorded a goal in the triumph.
Freshman netminder Kieran Millan made 24 saves in his 23rd victory of the season, while fellow rookie Scott Darling stopped 20 shots before yielding way to classmate Josh Seeley, who saved both shots he faced in the final 2:40.
For the first time in the three-game series, BU got on the board first, as Colby Cohen ripped a shot from the top of the right circle past Darling following a pass from Yip at the top of the zone. McCarthy also assisted on the play.
The Black Bears were able to tie the score on their first power-play chance of the evening, as freshman Spencer Abbott scored his second goal in as many nights just before the BU penalty expired following great passing by senior Simon Danis-Pepin and sophomore Jeff Dimmen.
The Terriers, however, quickly regained the lead for good, as Yip roofed a shot from the bottom of the left circle at 16:05 of the first and Pereira redirected an offering by Warsofsky past Darling just 29 seconds later to make it a 3-1 affair.
BU put the game away in the second, scoring three more goals on just nine shots. Trivino scored off a play in transition at 9:13 of the period before Zach Cohen potted a goal at 11:24 following a great lead pass by Gilroy. Bonino capped the run when he stole the puck at center ice and went all the way in for his 16th tally of the season at 15:04.
Maine scored the final goal of the contest with 2:40 left in regulation when freshman Gustav Nyquist converted from the top of the right circle directly off a faceoff win by sophomore Tanner House.