ST. LOUIS — Every time Boston College scored, Colorado College answered — and then some — in a 8-4 win that propelled the Tigers into the West Region final in the NCAA hockey tournament.
Saturday, the Tigers took on Michigan, 3-2 winners in overtime over Nebraska-Omaha on Friday, for a berth in the Frozen Four.
CC lost to the Wolverines 6-5 in the Great Lakes Invitational championship game in December.
“We played well enough to win that last time,” CC senior Ryan Lowery said. “We’re eager to get back at them.”
After Boston College scored the opening goal only 19 seconds in, Jaden and Rylan Schwartz and linemate Stephen Schultz accounted for three goals in the next eight minutes to take a 3-1 lead. David Civitarese scored a shorthanded goal for a 4-1 lead.
“They were the better team than us tonight,” BC coach Jerry York said. “No question. They knocked us down in the first period.”
BC is known for its ability to move quickly into transition, and some pretty passing up ice made it 4-2 with 9:21 left in the second.
Then the No. 4 seed Tigers (23-18-3) took control.
Jaden Schwartz slammed home his own rebound to make it 5-2 with six minutes left.
CC continued to pressure BC into turnovers, leading to William Rapuzzi’s goal for a 7-2 lead headed into the third.
“We heard about their speed all week and how good they are in transition,” Civitarese said. “That’s a strength for us too.”
