CROSS NETS OVERTIME GOAL TO LIFT EAGLES PAST TERRIERS IN BEANPOT, 3-2
Junior defenseman Tommy Cross nets game-winning goal for Eagles

Junior defenseman Tommy Cross scored the game-winning goal for the Eagles

BOSTON, Mass. - Junior defenseman Tommy Cross broke a 2-2 tie with a power-play goal at 3:17 of the overtime period to lift top-ranked Boston College to a 3-2 victory over No. 14 Boston University in the first round of the 59th Beanpot before 17,565 fans in TD Garden.

Cross netted the winner just 16 seconds after BU sophomore Ryan Ruikka was penalized for cross-checking. BC sophomore Brian Dumoulin and junior Jimmy Hayes assisted on the decisive goal.

The Eagles advance to the four-team tournament's championship game for the fifth time in the last six seasons - the 31st time overall - and will face Northeastern, a 4-0 winner over Harvard, for the 59th Beanpot title on Monday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Senior goaltender John Muse recorded 34 saves in 63:17 to capture the win, his 17th of the season and the team's 20th (20-6-0).

The Eagles outshot the Terriers 40-36 in the contest, which included a 14-8 edge in the second period, and a 5-2 overtime edge. BU outshot BC 15-8 in the third period.

The teams traded goals in the first period. Sophomore defenseman Philip Samuelsson opened the scoring on his third goal in the last two games at 14:37. BU junior Wade Megan tied the game 38 seconds later.

BU led 2-1 after two periods on an early second-period score by junior Corey Trivino.

BC junior right wing Jimmy Hayes tied the game at 4:56 of the third period and Boston College killed three-straight penalties, including two in the game's final five minutes, to preserve the 2-2 tie and send the game into overtime.

BU junior goalie Kieran Millan made 37 saves in the losing effort and falls to 10-6-7.

Team Records: Boston University - 13-8-7; Boston College - 20-6-0

Game Notes: The team captured its 20th victory in its 26th game and is the fastest BC team to 20 wins since the 2003-04 Eagles went 20-3-3 in its first 26 games ... Samuelsson tallied one goal and one assist for his second straight multiple-point performance ... Four of the team's six defensemen registered at least one point ... Muse improves to 79-37-15 in his career, which includes a 6-1 record in Beanpot play.