AMHERST, Mass. - Senior Patrick Giles fired a shot high glove side with 3:22 left in regulation for the game-winner as Boston College defeated ninth-ranked UMass 4-3 to sweep a weekend series in the regular season finale on Saturday at the Mullins Center.
Giles had two goals and an assist for a three-point night, while sophomore Nikita Nesterenko registered a goal and an assist. Senior Jack McBain netted his fifth goal in four games since returning from the Winter Olympics.
Graduate student Eric Dop won his third straight start, matching his season-high with 42 saves.
McBain opened the scoring four minutes into the contest for Boston College (14-17-5, 9-12-3 HEA) with the senior's ninth goal in his last six games. Marc McLaughlin negated an icing call below the UMass goal line and backhanded a pass to the left doorstep for McBain to one-time low short side on Matt Murray.
Giles doubled the lead on the power play at 8:51, redirecting a right point drive from Marshall Warren over Murray's left shoulder.
The Minutemen (19-12-2, 14-8-2 HEA) drew a goal back when Lucas Mercuri tipped a left point wrist shot from Ryan Lautenback under Dop's pads at 12:35.
Following a pair of penalty kills in the second period, the Eagles extended their lead 1:48 into the third as Nesterenko finished a give-and-go exchange with Colby Ambrosio on a 2-on-1.
UMass answered quickly at 3:17 on a power play deflection from Anthony Del Gaizo, then tied the score on a Scott Morrow wrist shot that went blocker side from the right circle.
Giles' game-winner came on a 3-on-1 rush as the senior carried the puck up the left wing below the faceoff dot and picked out the top right corner glove side. Giles registered his 14th and 15th goals of the season in the victory, which was BC's fourth straight at the Mullins Center.
No. 8 seed Boston College will host No. 9 seed New Hampshire in the Hockey East Opening Round next Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in Chestnut Hill.
