Boston College Battles Back, But Falls to Providence in Overtime Thriller
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - In a game that had all the makings of a classic Hockey East showdown, No. 12/13 Boston College showed plenty of fight but ultimately came up short in overtime, falling 4-3 to No.
14 Providence at Kelley Rink. The Eagles clawed their way back from a 3-1 deficit to force extra time, but the Friars needed just 1:22 into overtime to seal it.
This one had momentum swings, highlight-reel goals, and a late-game push that nearly turned the tide for BC. Brady Berard, Teddy Stiga, and Will Moore each lit the lamp for the Eagles, while sophomore forward Andre Gasseau made his return to the lineup felt with a pair of assists. Goaltender Louka Cloutier stopped 15 shots in the loss.
With the result, Boston College drops to 11-7-1 overall and 7-4-0 in Hockey East play. Providence improves to 12-7-2 and 7-3-1 in the conference, gaining a bit of separation in what’s shaping up to be a tightly contested league race.
A Fast Start That Slipped Away
BC nearly opened the scoring early in the first period, with both Gasseau and freshman phenom James Hagens ringing shots off the iron. The Eagles were buzzing, and it felt like a goal was coming - and sure enough, it did.
At the 9:12 mark, Aram Minnetian sent a low shot from the point that Berard expertly redirected in front of the net. It was the kind of net-front presence coaches love to see, and it gave BC a 1-0 lead.
But the celebration barely had time to settle. Just 12 seconds later, Providence capitalized on a BC turnover in the defensive zone, with Clint Levens jumping on the loose puck and tying the game at 1-1.
That quick answer flipped the momentum, and the Friars weren’t done. With just seven seconds left in the opening period, another BC miscue led to Aleksi Kivioja’s unassisted goal, giving Providence a 2-1 lead heading into the break.
Trading Blows in the Second
The Friars extended their lead to 3-1 midway through the second period on a goal from Kale McCallum, who finished off a sharp passing sequence from Beau Jelsma and Tomas Machu. At that point, it looked like Providence was in control.
But BC responded quickly - just 36 seconds later - and it came off a slick bit of playmaking. Gasseau found Stiga with space on the left wing, and the sophomore did the rest. A quick move to create separation and a top-shelf finish brought the Eagles back within one.
That goal injected life into the BC bench, and the Eagles carried that energy into the third.
Moore Ties It, But OT Belongs to the Friars
The equalizer came midway through the third when Will Moore crashed the net and jammed home a loose puck with traffic all around him. It was a gritty, hard-earned goal - the kind that defines tight Hockey East matchups.
From there, both teams had chances in the final minutes of regulation, but neither could break through. Overtime beckoned.
Unfortunately for the home crowd, the extra frame was short-lived. Just 1:22 in, Providence struck again - and for the third time on the night, it was an unassisted tally. Logan Sawyer pounced on another BC turnover and buried the game-winner to silence the crowd and steal two points on the road.
Notable Performances
- Brady Berard notched his third goal of the season with a textbook deflection in front.
- Teddy Stiga continued his strong sophomore campaign, scoring his fourth of the year and adding an assist for his third multi-point game.
- Andre Gasseau, back in the lineup for the first time since October 24, didn’t miss a beat. The junior forward picked up two assists and made an immediate impact.
- Aram Minnetian added his eighth assist of the season, while Landan Resendes chipped in with his third.
Despite the loss, BC still holds a 126-56-17 all-time record against Providence - a rivalry that continues to deliver high drama.
What’s Next
The Eagles won’t have to wait long for a shot at redemption. They’ll head to Schneider Arena tomorrow night to close out the season series with the Friars. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m., and the game will stream live on ESPN+ and air on WEEI 850 AM.
If tonight was any indication, fans can expect another intense, back-and-forth battle between two teams with postseason aspirations and no shortage of firepower.