CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Ten Eagles registered one point each to lead second-ranked Boston College in a 4-1 win over Massachusetts in the first of a best-of-three game Hockey East quarterfinal-round series in front of 2,868 fans in Kelley Rink.
Boston College led 1-0 after the first period and 3-1 after the second period.
Junior Jimmy Hayes opened the scoring with an even-strength goal at 10:31 of the first period.
Classmate Cam Atkinson and senior Brian Gibbons scored back-to-back special teams goals in the second period. Atkinson netted his 28th goal of the season on the power play just 14 seconds into the period and Gibbons lifted the Eagles to a 3-0 lead while skating shorthanded.
Massachusetts answered with a power-play tally from Danny Hobbs at the 11:52 to cut the deficit to 3-1.
BC junior Barry Almeida closed the scoring at 2:30 of the final frame.
The Eagles outshot the Minutemen 35-27 in the contest, including a 15-6 edge in the three-goal middle period.
Senior John Muse made 26 saves to record his 24th victory of the season.
Massachusetts goalie Paul Dainton made 31 saves in defeat. He falls to 6-17-5 on the year.
The teams will face off in game two of the Hockey East Tournament quarterfinal-round series in Boston College's Kelley Rink on Saturday, March 12 at 7 p.m.
Team Records: Massachusetts - 6-22-6; Boston College 27-7-1