Nov. 1, 2004

By Sean Healy The Heights

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. (U-WIRE) -- The Boston College men's hockey team was looking for a big victory this week, coming off a disappointing upset to Notre Dame. The only thing that stood in the Eagles' way last Friday in Conte was the Fighting Sioux, who came into the game ranked No. 4 in the nation - two places behind BC. The Eagles played physically, and as a result finished the game with a 5-3 victory.

The scoring started early for BC when Dan Bertram netted a goal with 16:22 left in the first period. Bertram took a pass from Ryan Shannon and put it in the net to bring BC ahead, 1-0.

Bertram's goal gave BC a powerful momentum and it wasn't long before Steven Gionta was able to score a goal to bring the Eagles up 2-0 after less than six minutes of play. Gionta's goal came off assists from Ryan Murphy and John Adams.

The Eagles played a brilliant first period, with many scoring opportunities. Midway through the period, it looked like the Eagles might score their third goal of the game. Jordan Parise, the North Dakota goalie, stretched to make his best save of the night and hold BC to a 2-0 lead.

Parise's efforts did not pay off, and three minutes later Nick Havern capitalized on a power play to net the third BC goal of the period. Havern's goal came off a dual assist from Patrick Eaves and Brian O'Hanley. After allowing three goals in 14 minutes, North Dakota decided to step it up, and it played the last six minutes of the period better than it had all night. Regardless of their efforts and hard shots, the Sioux could not find a way around BC goalie Cory Schneider.

Schneider had several shots taken on him in the final minutes of the period, but he saved all of them. BC did not score again in the period, and both teams headed into their locker rooms with the Eagles ahead, 3-0.

Both teams entered the second period ready to go. BC got an early power play, but Parise stepped up and saved a hard shot from Brian Boyle to keep his team within three goals of the Eagles. BC continued to shoot hard and often on Parise, and after several unsuccessful tries, Shannon scored his first goal of the night. Patrick Eaves and Brian O'Hanley had their second assists of the night to set up the goal by Shannon. The goal was scored during a BC power play with a two-man advantage and brought the Eagles' lead to 4-0 with 12 minutes remaining in the second period.

North Dakota had trouble finding the net in the second period, mostly because the team spent the majority of the time with one or more players in the penalty box. North Dakota committed five penalties in the second period, while BC had only one.

The Eagles continued to play fast offense and strong defense throughout the period. However, with five minutes to go, Travis Zajac broke away from the Eagles' defense and made a great move past Schneider to score the first goal of the night for North Dakota. Zajac's goal was unassisted, Schneider stuck with him, but after a cross body fake, Zajac lifted the puck into the top right corner of the net.

North Dakota pulled momentum off the goal, and the team might have scored again if Adams had not made a great steal right in front of the goal. The period ended with BC ahead 4-1, but Zajac's goal had brought North Dakota back within conceivable striking distance.

North Dakota started the period desperate for a goal, and Chris Porter was able to deliver. Porter netted a goal after less then two minutes had gone by in the period. The goal came off an assist from Colby Genoway.

Both teams had shots on goal throughout the period, but not long after his first goal, Porter slipped a second shot past Schneider to bring the Sioux within one of the Eagles.

After the second North Dakota goal of the period, both defenses stepped up. BC and North Dakota traded shot for shot, but neither team could manage to put one in the net. With a minute left in the game, North Dakota pulled its goalie and began an all-out blitz on the BC defense. However, North Dakota only got one shot off after the goalie was pulled before Bertram carried the puck across the ice and netted an unassisted goal with 40 seconds left in the game.

Bertram's goal iced the game for the Eagles, and the game ended with a score of 5-3.

The win marked Jerry York's 700th victory as a college hockey coach. Said York in response to his career, "I feel very proud of the players I coached." York was also glad to see his team take care of business on the ice. "Tonight was just what we needed, a good quick start."

After the game, North Dakota's Chris Porter said, "They're definitely the most skilled team we have faced yet."

(C) 2004 The Heights via U-WIRE