CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - A balanced effort - featuring one goal from each of its four lines - lifted third-ranked Boston College to a 4-1 Hockey East win over Providence before a sellout crowd of 7,884 fans in Kelley Rink.
Sophomore defenseman Brian Dumoulin, one of three Eagles playing his first game after returning from the World Junior Championship, was the lone player with multiple points. Dumoulin tallied two assists and finished with a game-high plus-three rating.
The victory was the Eagles' sixth straight win.
BC led 2-0 after one period and, after PC cut the lead in half, added two second-period goals to conclude the night's scoring.
Freshman Bill Arnold opened the scoring at 12:51, netting the rebound of a Barry Almeida shot. Junior Cam Atkinson's shorthanded goal at 18:32 gave BC a 2-0 cushion.
Junior Andy Balysky scored Providence's only goal at 6:54 of the middle period. BC answered with goals from sophomore Chris Kreider (at 13:18) and junior Paul Carey (at 19:35) to secure the victory.
BC outshot the visiting Friars, 42-34, including a 19-8 advantage in the first period.
Senior John Muse made 33 saves to earn his 13th win of the season and his 75th career victory. PC junior Alex Beaudry stopped 32 shots in two periods, before classmate Justin Gates took over and made six third-period saves.
The Eagles and Friars will complete their weekend series on Saturday night (7 p.m.) in Providence's Schneider Arena.
Game Notes: Also returning to the BC line-up after playing for Team USA in the World Junior Championship were sophomores Patrick Wey and Kreider ... Cam Atkinson's goal raised his career point total to 99 - 53 goals and 46 assists ...
Team Records: Boston College 14-5-0, 10-4-0 Hockey East; Providence 7-7-5, 3-5-4 HE