CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Boston College's top line of Nikita Nesterenko, Cutter Gauthier and Andre Gasseau combined for nine points and a plus-11 rating in a 5-2 victory over UMass in the Hockey East Opening Round on Wednesday night at Kelley Rink.
The eighth-seeded Eagles (14-15-6) advance to face No. 2 seed Merrimack on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Hockey East Quarterfinal at Lawler Rink on NESN.
The Minutemen closed their season with a record of 13-17-5.
BC improved to 10-1-0 all-time against UMass in the Hockey East Tournament, including 10 straight victories.