Feb. 5, 2008

Box Score

BOSTON - Another Boston University-Boston College Beanpot match-up and another one-goal result.

The ninth-ranked Eagles used a goal from junior Nathan Gerbe at 7:15 of overtime to earn a 4-3 victory over the Terriers in the first round of the 56th Beanpot on Monday evening in front of a sold-out crowd at the TD Banknorth Garden. It marked the sixth straight year that the two teams battled to a one-goal contest at the annual tournament. BC advances to next week's championship game against Harvard, a 3-1 winner over Northeastern.

The Terriers, who fell to 8-14-4 on the year, had their streak of 13 straight appearances in the Beanpot title game come to an end. Freshman Kevin Shattenkirk assisted on all three BU goals, which were scored by junior John McCarthy, freshman Nick Bonino and senior Pete MacArthur.

With the Terriers leading 3-2 at the beginning of the third, Gerbe knotted the game with a power-play tally just 1:02 into the period. Freshman goaltender John Muse kept BU scoreless for the final 38 minutes of the contest, allowing for Gerbe's overtime heroics.

Muse made 23 saves for the ninth-ranked Eagles, who improved to 13-6-7 on the season, while sophomore Brett Bennett recorded a career-high 30 saves for the Terriers.

McCarthy got the Terriers on the board first when he sent home a rebound off a shot by senior Brian McGuirk just 4:40 into the game.

Juniors Anthony Aiello and Benn Ferriero scored within 10 seconds of each other midway through the first to quickly turn the tables and give BC a 2-1 lead entering the first intermission.

With the Terriers on their first of four second-period power-play chances, Shattenkirk intercepted a clearing attempt and sent a cross-ice pass to Bonino, who wristed a shot past Muse from the right circle at 3:30.

MacArthur gave BU the lead back just over five minutes later on another power play when his slap shot from the right side got through traffic and found the back of the net at 8:44.

The Terriers, however, were not able to hold onto the lead, as Gerbe tallied the game's final two goals, including a rebound on the right doorstep in overtime.

BU will be playing in its first Beanpot consolation game since 1994 when it faces No. 14 Northeastern next Monday (Feb. 11) at 5 p.m. The Terriers will return to action on Friday (Feb. 8) when they visit No. 17 UMass Lowell for a 7 p.m. contest.