The Providence College men's hockey team (12-15-4, 10-11-3 Hockey East) was defeated by #2 Boston College (22-10-1, 16-7-1 Hockey East) by a final score of 3-0 Friday night at Schneider Arena. The game was played in front of a sellout crowd of 3,030, the first sellout at Schneider Arena since January 30, 2009.
Just 2:30 into the first period, Boston College took the lead on a power-play goal scored by Tommy Cross. Cross' slap shot from the blue line got past Providence senior goaltender Alex Beaudry (Cumberland, Ont.) who was screened on the play of the eventual game-winning goal.
The score remained at 1-0 until the third period as neither team could convert on any scoring opportunities until Pat Mullane scored to widen the Eagles lead to two at 7:16. Mullane's shot from the left face-off circle gave BC a lead that the Friars could not overcome. Boston College sealed the victory with an empty-net goal scored by Paul Carey.
Providence outshot the Eagles in the game, 29-21. Boston College goaltender Parker Milner stopped all 29 shots he faced in the game to earn his second career shutout and help the Eagles record their eighth consecutive victory. Beaudry also had a strong game in goal, keeping his team in the game with 18 saves.
The two teams will complete their home-and-home series tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 at Kelley Rink in Chestnut Hill, Mass.