For rivals, zero settled
BC, BU in 0-0 draw
Whenever Boston College and Boston University cross sticks in ice hockey, it’s guaranteed to provide a new chapter in the 100-year-old rivalry. Last night, in the 279th meeting — the fifth most-played college hockey rivalry — the clubs battled to their first scoreless tie. In fact, on only one other occasion did BC and BU venture into OT scoreless — the 2016 Beanpot with the Eagles eventually taking a 1-0 decision. BU leads the series alltime by a 135-125-19 margin. The 0-0 tie, witnessed by a Kelley Rink enthusiastic crowd of 7,328, featured a combined 68 shots on net (BC 42, BU 26) and a total of 110 attempted shots (67 for BC, 43 for BU). “For not a lot of goals, it was a pretty entertaining game. Our goalie (Jake Oettinger) stood tall all game and in overtime, too. It was nice to see him go into a hostile building and play well. He played with (BC’s Joe Woll) on the U.S. Junior team and it’s always a pretty competitive battle,’’ BU coach Albie O’Connell said. Last night’ game was a back half of a weekend home-and-home matchup, with the Eagles winning Friday night’s game, 4-1, at Agganis. “That was a terrific weekend of hockey, a lot of good players on both teams. The records for both teams are deceiving,’’ BC coach Jerry York said. “Again, Joe (Woll) was real solid, as was Oettinger. They’re two of the premier goaltenders in college hockey. That (0-0) is pretty remarkable when you think of all the years we’ve played. It (rivalry) brings out the best in both of us.’’ The best chance for BU (4-7-2, 4-4-2 HE) came midway through when BC defenseman Adam Samuelson swatted a loose puck from the crease area. At the opposite end, BC freshman Oliver Wahlstrom slid the puck across the net front just missing the far post. Both teams received a solid play from freshmen in the second. Samuelson sprawled to break up a BU 2-on-1 with his stick. Moments later, BC (4-6-2, 4-1-2 HE) worked the puck into Oettinger’s crease area but Terriers rookie Matt Quercia got behind his netminder to provide backup. Matters grew dicey for the Eagles in the closing minutes when forward Graham McPhee went off for a hit from behind at 16:54. As the BU power play was winding down, defenseman David Farrance had a open side but his shot struck the right heel of BC skater Julius Mattila. With both clubs at full strength in the final minute of regulation, Woll made a clutch stop on BU’s Quercia. In the all-important overtime session, Oettinger saved BU with a big stop on a booming shot by BC defenseman Michael Kim, and Woll did the same for BC right before the final buzzer on a shot by BU’s Joel Farabee in the mid-slot. Providence 3, New Hampshire 1 — Jay O’Brien got the game-winner with 2:32 left as the Friars (8-4-3, 5-2-1 HE) scored three times in the last 10 minutes and rallied to stun the Wildcats (2-7-5, 1-4-3) in Durham, N.H. Cornell 2, Harvard 1 — Jack Rathbone scored the lone goal for the Crimson (4-4-2, 2-3-2 ECAC), who fell to the Big Red (6-5-0, 4-2-0) at Bright Hockey Center. AIC 4, Holy Cross 2 — Kyle Stephan’s goal and assist carried the Yellow Jackets (7-7-1, 7-4-1 Atlantic) past the Crusaders (1-10-2, 1-6-1) in Worcester. Mercyhurst 3, Bentley 2 — Tanner Jago had a goal and assist, but the Falcons (5-9-1, 4-7-1 Atlantic) fell to the Lakers (7-7-2, 5-4-1) in Waltham. In women’s action: Boston University 4, Boston College 2 — Abby Cook had two goals and an assist to lead the Terriers (6-4-4, 5-4-4 HE) past the Eagles (12-6-0, 9-4-0) at Kelley Rink. Jesse Compher added a goal and two assists for BU, and Sammy Davis had three assists. Daryl Watts and Megan Keller scored for BC. Harvard 4, Union 0 — Lindsay Reed made 34 saves and the Crimson (4-5-1, 3-3-1 ECAC) blanked the Dutchwomen (2-12-2, 0-5-1) at Bright Hockey Center. New Hampshire 4, Merrimack 3 — Megan Fergusson scored twice for the Warriors (10-5-2, 6-5-1 HE), but Taylor Wenczkowski’s goal 28 seconds into overtime won it for the Wildcats (5-9-3, 4-8-1) in North Andover.