Junior forward Marc McLaughlin had the game-winning goal and two assists for the Eagles
Boston College Scores Final Three Goals To Upend Merrimack, 5-3
Junior forward Marc McLaughlin had the game-winning goal and two assists for the Eagles

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - The Merrimack College men's hockey team held a third period advantage against #3/3 Boston College Sunday afternoon at Lawler Rink, but a pair of quick tallies was the difference in a 5-3 loss.

Alex Jefferies' goal with just over eight minutes to play gave Merrimack the temporary lead, as an Eagle onslaught thwarted the Warriors' upset bid.


The Basics

Score: #3/3 Boston College 5, Merrimack 3
Records: Merrimack (1-7-0, 1-7-0 HEA) | Boston College (8-2-0, 8-2-0 HEA)
Game Duration: 2:19


How It Happened

- The Eagles struck first again halfway into the opening stanza when Trevor Kuntar beat Merrimack goalie Zachary Borgiel after the freshman made a bevy of early stops.

- Merrimack's power play, which converted Saturday night in Chestnut Hill, was given a 5-on-3 chance in the final two minutes and it was able to turn the tides. Declan Carlile and Zach Uens worked the puck around the point, then Uens crept in and fired a shot towards goal. The original chance was stopped, but Ben Brar pounced on the rebound and snuck one home for his first of the season.

- The hosts carried over a power play into the second, but the Eagles flipped the script and netted a shorthanded goal off the stick of Nikita Nesterenko 55 seconds into the frame.

- Merrimack had yet another answer for the Eagles, but it came a lot quicker this time. Just under a minute later, Filip Forsmark sent a pass to Conor Lovett at the red line. The freshman charged in, then dropped a pass next to the net that Forsmark pushed in to knot the score again.

- Boston College upped the pressure in the closing period, but Merrimack weathered the storm, then took its first lead of the night. Zach Vinnell extinguished some defensive zone pressure midway through the period, then flipped a high chip up the boards. An Eagle defenseman whiffed on the bouncing puck, then Jefferies flew into the zone, collected the puck and tucked a shot in the top shelf.

- The Eagles were able to tie the score just over a minute later, then got the game-winner from Marc McLaughlin with just over four minutes to play. Boston College also added an empty net goal with under a second to play to wrap the scoring.


Notes & Numbers

- Seven different Warriors registered a point in the outing.

- Merrimack surrendered a power play goal late, but has still killed off 18 of the last 19 opponent power plays.

- Jefferies' goal gives him the team lead in goals (4) and points (7) through eight games.

- Lovett now shares the team lead in plus/minus with a +1 rating.

- Vinnell is already nearing a career-high with his fifth point of the season. He tallied eight during his rookie season.


Up Next

The Warriors and Eagles are scheduled for another home-and-home set Jan. 22-23 with Friday's matchup in Chestnut Hill, before a Saturday affair back at Lawler.

Game Summary

Sunday, January 17, 2021

5
3
Game statistics
36 Shots 33
1 / 5 Power Plays 1 / 5
5 / 10 PIM 5 / 10
8-2-0 Records 1-7-0
GOAL SCORERS
Boston College Merrimack
Trevor Kuntar (5)
1st/9:48
Ben Brar (1)
1st/19:47 PP
Nikita Nesterenko (5)
2nd/0:55 SH
Filip Forsmark (2)
2nd/1:51
Alex Jefferies (4)
3rd/11:52
Logan Hutsko (4)
3rd/13:00
Marc McLaughlin (5)
3rd/15:59 PP GW
Matt Boldy (4)
3rd/19:59  EN
GOALTENDERS
Boston College Merrimack
Spencer Knight
59:46, 30 Saves, 3 GA
(W, 7-0-0)

Empty Net
0:14, 0 GA
Zachary Borgiel
58:18, 31 Saves, 4 GA
(L, 1-5-0)

Empty Net
1:42, 1 GA