BOSTON COLLEGE ROLLS PAST HARVARD, 5-1
Junior forward Johnny Gaudreau scores two goals for Eagles

Junior forward Johnny Gaudreau scored two goals for the Eagles

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Boston College's usual suspects powered past cross-town foe Harvard on the strength of five even-strength goals, including another pair for junior Johnny Gaudreau, in a 5-1 triumph at the Bright-Landry Center. The Eagles are unbeaten in their last six outings, amassing a sterling 5-0-1 mark since the beginning of November.

Gaudreau racked up his third two-goal game of the season, including his fourth three-point performance of the year. Seniors Kevin Hayes and Bill Arnold along with rookie Ryan Fitzgerald joined Gaudreau in extending their point-scoring streaks to seven games. Fitzgerald (1-1-2), Arnold (0-2-2) and Hayes (0-2-2) joined first-year forward Austin Cangelosi (1-1-2) and sophomore Teddy Doherty (0-2-2) as Wednesday's multi-point scorers.

Junior goaltender Brian Billett picked up his fifth victory of the season, turning away 34-of-35 Crimson shots, including 31-of-32 down the stretch. HU's Steve Michalek surrendered five goals on 34 BC attempts.

The Eagles set the precedent early, outshooting Harvard 17-3 in the first stanza. Cangelosi put an exclamation point on the opening frame and drew first blood at 4:49 on a strong possession deep in Crimson territory.

Arnold won a battle behind the net, wrangled the puck out of the corner and swung it to Gaudreau on the near post. Gaudreau quickly relayed it between the circles where Cangelosi blasted home the one-timer for the early 1-0 lead.

Junior forward Destry Straight was called for a hold in Harvard's end at 5:58 of the second stanza, but made up for it by adding the Eagles' second goal after exiting the box.

Hayes triggered the play by carrying the puck from BC's end into Crimson's zone. From the blue line, Hayes slid the puck over to Danny Linell in the slot where he faked the slap shot. Straight snuck behind his defense and Linell connected with him on the near post for the easy tap-in at 8:34 and a 2-0 lead.

Gaudreau crafted another signature goal to give Boston College a three-goal lead at 14:10.

Freshman defenseman Ian McCoshen generated the play by chipping the puck out of the corner to Arnold behind the net. Arnold sent it up to Cangelosi camped out on the halfwall with Gaudreau in stride. Cangelosi connected with the streaking Gaudreau, setting up the breakaway. Gaudreau quickly juked Michalek out of position and sent it to the back of the net with finesse.

Starting off the third, Gaudreau netted his second of the night for the four-goal BC buffer. Fitzgerald gained the zone and wheeled it around the net up to Doherty on the left circle. Doherty blasted the one-timer from Fitzgerald where Michalek got in front of it, but Gaudreau was in prime position to maneuver the rebound across the goal line at 2:21 of the third period.

Fitzgerald sealed it with a quick snap shot at 4:22 of the final frame.

Doherty earned his second point by breaking up Harvard's transition and scooting it out to Fitzgerald on the red line. Fitzgerald connected with Hayes behind the net but was promptly provided with the feed on the right dot. Fitzgerald banged it past Michalek to seal the Eagles' goal count.

Luke Esposito broke up Boston College's shutout big at 16:06 of the third, benefitting from a Michael Matheson boarding infraction at 15:46. Esposito chipped in Clay Anderson's rebound on the doorstep for the lone power play strike of the contest.

Boston College returns to league play with a trip to Maine on Saturday, Nov. 23. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Alfond Arena. The game will be broadcast on Fox College Sports.

Game Notes

- With the two-goal, one-assist performance on Wednesday night at Harvard, Gaudreau cracked the top 50 goal scorers list for a career at Boston College. The Carneys Point, N.J., native leapfrogged Ben Eaves (2000-04) and is now tied with Mike Lephart (1997-01) and Brian Callahan (1993-97) for 49th place, all-time, amongst Eagle goal scorers. Gaudreau is also tied with Lee Blossom (1979-83) for 57th all-time in career points with 118 (54-64-118). The third-year forward has recorded 118 points in 91 games played.

- Bill Arnold, Kevin Hayes, Ryan Fitzgerald and Gaudreau all extended their point streaks to seven games in Wednesday's win at Harvard. Gaudreau leads the way with 15 points (9-6-15) during the tear while Arnold (2-11-13) and Hayes (4-7-11) have amassed 13 and 11 points, in that order. Fitzgerald has accounted for 10 points (5-5-10) during his scoring stretch.

- The Eagles have now beaten their Beanpot Tournament rival nine-straight occasions.

- Sophomore Teddy Doherty recorded his first multi-point performance since a three-assist outing against UMass Lowell on Oct. 28, 2012. The Hopkinton, Mass., native doled out a pair of assists in the victory.