UMass hockey: No. 1 Boston College rights the ship, splits weekend series after 4-1 win over Minutemen

UMass center Dans Locmelis (10) keeps the puck from Boston College forward Andre Gasseau (24) during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass center Dans Locmelis (10) keeps the puck from Boston College forward Andre Gasseau (24) during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Boston College forward Gabe Perreault (34) and UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) compete for the puck during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

Boston College forward Gabe Perreault (34) and UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) compete for the puck during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass defenseman Owen Murray, left, and Boston College forward Teddy Stiga, bottom, skate into UMass goalie Michael Hrabal, top, during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass defenseman Owen Murray, left, and Boston College forward Teddy Stiga, bottom, skate into UMass goalie Michael Hrabal, top, during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass defenseman Larry Keenan (18) dives for the puck during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass defenseman Larry Keenan (18) dives for the puck during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass goalie Michael Hrabal (30) blocks a penalty shot by Boston College forward Gabe Perreault (34) during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. The penalty was called on UMass defenseman Larry Keenan, not pictured, for slashing.

UMass goalie Michael Hrabal (30) blocks a penalty shot by Boston College forward Gabe Perreault (34) during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. The penalty was called on UMass defenseman Larry Keenan, not pictured, for slashing. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) attempts a shot past Boston College forward Connor Joyce (27) during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) attempts a shot past Boston College forward Connor Joyce (27) during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) smiles after scoring a goal during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) smiles after scoring a goal during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Boston College forward Mike Posma, left, and UMass center Lucas Mercuri, right, exchange words during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

Boston College forward Mike Posma, left, and UMass center Lucas Mercuri, right, exchange words during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass left wing Cam O'Neill is introduced before the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass left wing Cam O'Neill is introduced before the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) keeps the puck from Boston College defenseman Drew Fortescue (5) during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) keeps the puck from Boston College defenseman Drew Fortescue (5) during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass fans with body paint that spells out 'BC BLOW' watch the final minutes of the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass fans with body paint that spells out 'BC BLOW' watch the final minutes of the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) keeps the puck from Boston College defenseman Drew Fortescue (5) during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) keeps the puck from Boston College defenseman Drew Fortescue (5) during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) attempts to center the puck during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass right wing Cole O'Hara (19) attempts to center the puck during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass goalie Michael Hrabal (30) walks to the ice before the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass goalie Michael Hrabal (30) walks to the ice before the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass goalie Michael Hrabal (30) attempts to cover the puck during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass goalie Michael Hrabal (30) attempts to cover the puck during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass center Lucas Mercuri, left, and Boston College defenseman Aram Minnetian, right, compete for the puck during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass center Lucas Mercuri, left, and Boston College defenseman Aram Minnetian, right, compete for the puck during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass center Lucas Mercuri (11) controls the puck during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass center Lucas Mercuri (11) controls the puck during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass defenseman Owen Murray (26) keeps the puck from Boston College forward Teddy Stiga (4) during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass defenseman Owen Murray (26) keeps the puck from Boston College forward Teddy Stiga (4) during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass right wing Aydar Suniev (16) dives after the puck during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass right wing Aydar Suniev (16) dives after the puck during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass defenseman Owen Murray (26) attempts to block a shot during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass defenseman Owen Murray (26) attempts to block a shot during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass right wing Ryan Lautenbach (14) keeps the puck from Boston College defenseman Aram Minnetian (17) during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass right wing Ryan Lautenbach (14) keeps the puck from Boston College defenseman Aram Minnetian (17) during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass goalie Michael Hrabal (30) takes a knee after allowing a goal during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass goalie Michael Hrabal (30) takes a knee after allowing a goal during the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Boston College defenseman Aram Minnetian (17) and UMass right wing Aydar Suniev, right, compete for the puck during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

Boston College defenseman Aram Minnetian (17) and UMass right wing Aydar Suniev, right, compete for the puck during the college hockey game at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

UMass players wait to be introduced before the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst.

UMass players wait to be introduced before the college hockey game against Boston College at the Mullins Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

By GARRETT COTE

Staff Writer

Published: 02-15-2025 10:53 PM

AMHERST — Two themes continued to come up during UMass hockey head coach Greg Carvel’s postgame press conference following the Minutemen’s 4-1 loss to Boston College on Saturday night at Mullins Center: desperation and fatigue.

He felt the Eagles were the more desperate bunch coming off of UMass’ 3-2 win in Chestnut Hill on Friday. They beat the Minutemen to loose pucks and they were more aggressive offensively. Carvel also noted that some of that could have to do with how much emotional and physical energy UMass drained just 24 hours earlier.

Whatever it was, Boston College showed to be the better hockey team on Saturday night.

“We looked like we were a tired, maybe emotionally-spent team after [Friday] night’s win,” Carvel said. “There were times that we kind of got our feet under us, had a little bit of momentum, had some good scoring chances… But I thought BC was the more desperate team. A lot of talent showed itself tonight. We weren’t ourselves. Desperation wasn’t quite there like it was [Friday] night. I though BC played an exceptional game.”

The Eagles set the tone out of the gates, outshooting UMass 20-3 on goal in the first period and forcing the Minutemen to block eight more shot attempts. Minutemen goalie Michael Hrabal stopped 19 of those 20 shots he faced. The one that got through came on an Eamon Powell goal from the point.

He stopped an initial Boston College shot from Michael Hagens before Mike Posma got his stick on the rebound, sent it over to Powell who snapped a wrist shot through a crowded crease and in. Carvel challenged the play for goaltender interference, but the call stood to put the visitors ahead 1-0 not even five minutes into the first.

Hrabal stood tall the rest of the frame before Eagles center Andre Gasseau doubled the lead early on in the second. Boston College’s Ryan Leonard carried the puck over the blue line and into the slot before Lucas Mercuri met him with a hard shoulder to knock him on his back.

While the commotion unraveled in front of Hrabal, the puck found Gabe Perreault on the weak side, and he quickly sent it across to a wide-open Gasseau on the doorstep as BC jumped in front 2-0 at the 16 minute, 47 second mark of the middle period.

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Four Red Fire Farm workers arrested as part of ICE operation in Springfield
Avery’s General Store building in Charlemont for sale
Greenfield seeks renewal of Slum and Blight designation to bring in funds for infrastructure
Amherst’s Ryan Leonard signs entry-level contract with Capitals, expected to make NHL debut Tuesday in Boston against the Bruins
Greenfield Fire Station’s energy use 250% higher than expected
The ills of a billion-dollar enterprise: The slow-death of the cannabis industry, and what might be done to reverse the trend
Your Daily Puzzles

Cross|Word

Flipart

Typeshift

SpellTower

Really Bad Chess

Leonard, an Amherst native, was knocked around a number of times by UMass skaters. Each time he bounced up, and he ended the night with two assists and an empty-net goal late in the third.

“He’s a tough kid,” Eagles head coach Greg Brown said. “[UMass] did a good job playing the body on him. It seemed like it was the second wave of guys that came across and got him a few times. But you’ll never hit the compete out of that guy. He kept battling, and I guess he was rewarded with that empty-net goal. He had a solid game. He’s one of the drivers on our team, and when he’s going well it makes our whole team better.”

Three minutes after the Gasseau tally it was the maroon and gold jerseys celebrating again, this time James Hagens lighting the lamp off a Leonard feed. Leonard made a spinning backhand pass to Hagens, who walked in on Hrabal and fired one past him on the breakaway.

Cole O’Hara put UMass on the board on a 2-on-1 situation with Jack Musa. Musa rifled a pass over to O’Hara who blasted one by Eagles goalie Jacob Fowler, making it 3-1 with under five minutes left in the second.

UMass had several golden opportunities to cut its two-goal deficit in half, including two power plays where the Minutemen generated terrific looks on Fowler. They couldn’t get another past him though, as they went 0-for-4 on the power play on Saturday. The Eagles killed one off late in the third period that Brown knew would make or break the game.

Boston College hasn’t lost three consecutive games under Brown.

“The third period was kind of a battle,” Brown said. “Huge penalty kill for us late in the game. Our penalty kill was good all weekend. Some are more important than others and that definitely was. We kept our momentum and were able to survive that and get the win.”

Although he gave up three goals, Hrabal put forth another stellar effort on the heels of a 37-save performance on Friday. The sophomore stopped 40 more shots on Saturday, and each of the three goals he let up weren’t necessarily on him.

With UMass needing to win a handful of its half dozen remaining games, Hrabal has picked a great time to get hot – and Carvel plans to ride him the rest of the way.

“He was great all weekend,” Carvel said of Hrabal. “He was the only player in our lineup I would say played as well as they could. So, he kept it close. BC was really buzzing tonight. But that’s a good sign for us. We have enough belief and we’ve won enough games against good teams, although we didn’t win tonight, that if Michael can give us those games every night, we got a chance to win every night.”

Leonard trickled in an empty-netter with one minute, 40 seconds left in the game to cap off Boston College’s wire-to-wire win.

UMass dropped to 16-12-2 this season and 7-9-2 in Hockey East. The Minutemen’s next contest comes Friday in Durham, N.H. against No. 19 New Hampshire. The Wildcats then come to Mullins Center on Saturday.