Unbeaten streak ends after defeat to UNH

By Diana C. Nearhos The Heights

November 12, 2007

Chestnut Hill, MA (CSTV U-WIRE) -- Coming off a surprising tie to Merrimack, the men's ice hockey team had the tough task of regrouping against No. 6 New Hampshire.

For the Eagles, hopes of keeping up with UNH on Saturday came down to a pivotal momentum swing in the third period that gave the Wildcats a lead they would not relinquish.

After Boston College's Ryan Hayes tied the game four minutes into the third period, University of New Hampshire's Brad Flaishans scored just 1:16 later to put the Wildcats back on top.

UNH then used the rest of the period to pull away from the Eagles, who could not solve UNH goaltender Kevin Regan.

Carl Switzer and James vanRiemsdyk also netted goals in the third to give UNH a 5-2 win.

BC took advantage of the power play (resulting from Mike Radja slashing,) to score the tying goal.

Hayes redirected Ben Smith's centering pass from midair into the back of the net to give BC reason to hope.

Andrew Orpik scored BC's first goal at 11:07 in the second period.

Carl Sneep found Orpik in the slot, where he fired the puck above goaltender Kevin Regan's left shoulder.

Defenseman Flaishans fired off the winning shot from above the left face-off circle; the puck flew past BC goalie John Muse's glove.

Defenseman Switzer's goal came at 12:26 from the top of the left faceoff circle.

At 14:49, forward vanRiemsdyk scored on a partial breakaway over the left shoulder of Muse.

The first period featured defensive mistakes on BC's part that resulted in goals for UNH.

Just 3:14 into the period, UNH forward Radja's centering pass deflected off BC defender Nick Petrecki's stick over Muse's right shoulder.

Forward Greg Collins, who was named Hockey East player of the game, extended UNH's lead at 11:51; he recovered his blocked pass, advanced toward the crease, and put the puck in the net.

BC was unable to take advantage of the seven power plays, including three in the second period. UNH kept them to the outside and did not allow the Eagles to get good shots off.

The BC team played as well as it could being on the road and missing five players from the starting line-up: Gerbe to suspension following Friday night's game, Brock Bradford and Dan Bertram to injuries, and Brian O'Hanley and Brett Motherwell to earlier suspensions.

Both teams came into Saturday night's game following frustrating ties on the previous night.

UNH had dominated UMass-Lowell, but the game ended at 2-2. BC had outplayed and outshot Merrimack but was only able to leave with a 3-3 tie.

The Eagles had hoped the weekend would amount to more than the one point they got from the tie against Merrimack.

The loss on Saturday marked the end of a seven-game unbeaten streak.

All in all, it was a frustrating weekend for BC.

The Eagles return to action this Friday with a game at UMass.

The Minutemen are currently riding a four game unbeaten streak and are tied for first place in Hockey East.