March 30, 2003
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Senior Matt McRae scored the game winner at 1:09 of the second overtime, as Cornell edged Boston College 2-1 in the final of the men's East regional NCAA hockey tournament Sunday afternoon at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. The Big Red advances to the Frozen Four in Buffalo to play the University of New Hampshire on Thursday, April 10.
Sophomore goaltender Dave LeNeveu made 26 saves, as Cornell improved to 30-4-1. Matti Kaltiainen stopped 34 shots in a superb effort, as the Eagles finished their season at 24-11-4.
Cornell outshot the Eagles 10-6 in a fast-skating opening period that saw the Big Red score the only goal. Cornell spent a good portion of the first five minutes in the Boston College end, but only senior co-captain Stephen Baby had a shot on goal. The Eagles had an early opportunity when freshman forward Cam Abbott was called for kneeing at 6:10 and senior co-captain Doug Murray was sent off 50 seconds later. The Big Red penalty-kill unit, which is operating at 90 percent efficiency, successfully skated off both infractions. Junior center Ryan Vesce took advantage of a poor Boston College clear by J. D. Forrest and scored his 18th goal of the season at 10:05 for a 1-0 Cornell lead. The Eagle defender tried to clear the puck from behind his own net, but Vesce intercepted the errant pass along the right wing boards, skated through the circle and beat Kaltiainen with a quick wrister. Cornell had two power-play chances in the last nine minutes but was unable to score despite numerous good shots. Boston College picked up its pace with just over a minute to play, and Tony Voce fired a shot just over the Cornell net after being setup on a 2-on-1 advantage.
The Eagles tied the game at 8:00 of the second period, while both teams were skating a man short. Ben Eaves passed to Voce, who was positioned just to the right of LeNeveu. Voce attempted a shot that deflected off the skate of Forrest and into the net. The play was reviewed, but the referee indicated the score was good. The goal lifted the spirits of the Eagles, and they began to spend time in the Big Red end. Less than two minutes later, speedy Ned Havern went around senior defenseman Mark McRae and flipped a shot at LeNeveu, who made the save. Cornell began to reassert itself, and Baby almost converted a partial breakaway in the last five minutes of the middle period. When the Eagles' John Adams was called for hooking at 17:08, the Big Red looked for a chance to take a lead into the locker room. The man advantage was negated 76 seconds later after freshman center Daniel Pegoraro was sent to the box for hooking.
The skating was end to end in the third period as each team looked for the go-ahead goal. Stephen Gionta set up Ben Eaves, but LeNeveu made a solid save. Baby countered with a good chance when he beat a Boston College defender and slid the puck at Kaltiainen, but the Eagles' goal was dislodged before the shot went into the net. Vesce had an open net at 8:12, but his shot was high as he was pulled down by A.J. Walker, who was penalized for holding. The Big Red had two good chances by Vesce and Mark McRae on the power play but came up empty. Boston College appeared to score at 12:01, but the goal was disallowed when the referee ruled the Eagles' Peter Harold was in the crease. The Eagles had Cornell on its heels for the remainder of the period forcing LeNeveu to make eight saves.
The furious pace continued in the first overtime as both teams controlled play and generated numerous opportunities. LeNeveu made the save of the game just 30 seconds into the extra period when he made a pad save on a one timer by Voce from between the circles. The Big Red came alive at five minutes into the overtime, when senior defenseman Travis Bell just missed from the blueline, and sophomore defenseman Charlie Cook unloaded a shot that Kaltiainen stopped with junior wing Greg Hornby waiting for a rebound. Cornell continued to skate four lines and began to wear the Eagles down, however, Kaltiainen continued to make save after save. LeNeveu made two splendid saves on Ryan Shannon with 43 seconds left, and the Big Red responded with a 2-on-1 but the shot was wide as time expired.
The Big Red held the Eagles' offense in check early in the opening minute of play of the second overtime. Matt McRae picked up the puck up at the Boston College blueline, waited for his teammates to get onside, skated down right wing, and lifted a high shot past Kaltiainen for the game winner.
Matt McRae was voted the outstanding player of the tournament.
Cornell will receive a limited number of tickets from the NCAA. Please check back at CornellBigRed.com for details on ticket sales/distribution.
