Boston College’s dominant top line of Johnny Gaudreau, Kevin Hayes and Bill Arnold powered the Eagles to a 6-2 win over Denver in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday afternoon.
Gaudreau, the nation’s top scorer, Hockey East player of the year and Hobey Baker finalist netted his first career hat trick and he did so by the 8:13 mark of the second period. Hayes potted two goals and two assists while Arnold added two goals and an assist as BC’s first line finished with 13 points.
Gaudreau got the scoring started early, notching his first goal of the day just 25 seconds into the first period. The top line struck again at the 5:30 mark in the period when Hayes got on the board. It didn’t take long for the game to get out of control as BC boasted a six-goal lead by the second period.
Denver eventually found their scoring touch late in the second frame, but Trevor Moore’s tally and Evan Janssen’s third-period score would not be enough for the Pioneers.
BC will face the winner of Saturday night’s game between UMass-Lowell and Minnesota State-Mankato Sunday at 5 p.m. The winner of that game advances to the Frozen Four.
Photo via Twitter/@NEHockeyJournal
