BC streaks its way to title

TAMPA, FLA. - Boston College's dynasty in college hockey lives on.

BC defeated Frozen Four first-timer Ferris State 4-1 on Saturday at the Tampa Bay Times Forum for its third NCAA title in five years.

Johnny Gaudreau, called the best freshman in the country by his coach, Jerry York, ended most of the suspense by scoring his 21st goal of the season with three minutes to play. It gave the Eagles a two-goal lead. Teammate Steven Whitney added an empty-netter.

"That was a good as we can play," Ferris State coach Bob Daniels said. "They are very deserving as champions."

Boston College took a 2-1 lead in the first period on goals by Whitney in the fourth minute and Paul Carey in the 11th.

Whitney scored off a shot that went off a Bulldog's skate and caromed to him right to him just a couple of feet outside the blue paint.

Carey's goal came on a power play. A shot by defenseman Brian Dumoulin from the left point deflected off Carey for the game-winner.

The score stayed at 2-1 BC until the final three minutes. Eagles goalie Parker Milner made 27 saves and was named the MVP of the Frozen Four.

"[Ferris State] is a very defensive, disciplined team," York said. "No one understood outside the hockey community how tough this game was going to be."

But Boston College, which beat the Gophers 6-1 in Thursday's semifinals, found a way to win its 19th game in a row.

Notes: Gophers captain Taylor Matson, a senior forward, signed an amateur tryout contact with the AHL's Chicago Wolves. ... Minnesota Duluth senior center Jack Connolly, who won the Hobey Baker Award on Friday, is going to play pro hockey in Sweden next season.