By Joseph Demaio
Heights Staff
After going winless in the past six games, a streak that spans the entire month of November, Boston College came out firing on all cylinders against Boston University Friday night at Kelly Rink, dismantling the Terriers, 6-2. The game marked the 239th time that the two schools met, dating back to 1917, and from the very start the Eagles (4-4-5) seemed determined to end their winless streak.
Even head coach Jerry York acknowledged the importance of winning the game. "My wife told me not to go O-for-November," he said, "but the team played much more structured than we had in the early season. We just had more team play today, whether on offense or on defense."
A mere 5:10 into the first period, Nathan Gerbe buried a rebound into the back of the net, giving BC a 1-0 lead. Pat Gannon was also able to find the back of the net early, scoring off a rebound at the 6:32 mark. Perhaps the most spectacular goal of the game came on a BU power play, when Nathan Gerbe intercepted a pass at the blue line and scored a breakaway, shorthanded goal 7:27 into the first period. Gerbe's second goal of the night gave BC a 3-0 lead until Brandon Yip took advantage of a Terrier four-on-three advantage to cut the Eagle lead to 3-1.
"I looked right over, and luckily it came right to me," Gerbe said after the game. "Luckily, tonight I got a couple of bounces that I didn't get earlier in the year. But the game definitely helped me get some confidence back."
The second period began in much the same way as the first; as Ben Smith took advantage of a botched BU clear in order to poke the puck into the net 4:48 into the period. Following back-and-forth play for much of the period, the Eagles were again able to find the back of the net with 1:12 to go in the period, this time on a power play. Andrew Orpik rifled a long shot from the edge of the faceoff circle that found its way over the shoulder pad of the Terrier goalie to make the score 5-1 at the close of the second period.
2008 Woodie Awards
