BC Edges Providence, 3-2, in OT

Ryan Leonard took a penalty in the third period that negated what would have been a Boston College power play, then scored the tying goal late in regulation and the game-winner in overtime to lift third-ranked BC to a 3-2 victory at No. 10 Providence last night.

After Gabe Perreault had put BC ahead in the first minute of play, the host Friars responded with second-period goals less than three minutes apart by Clint Levens and Ryan O'Reilly to put Providence ahead, 2-1. That lead stood up until Leonard tapped home a pass from the far wing with less than four minutes remaining in regulation to tie the contest, before he backhanded home a loose puck in front just over four minutes into OT to end it.

Jan Korec stopped 24 shots for the visiting Eagles (8-2-0 overall, 3-1-0 Hockey East) in making his first start of the 2024-25 NCAA season, while Philip Svedebäck made 36 stops for the Friars (7-3-2, 5-2-2). Leonard and Perreault tallied three points apiece for BC, while James Hagens set up two goals for the Eagles. The two Hockey East rivals will close out the season series on Jan. 17 at BC.

Princeton Edges No. 12 Providence in OT

Jack Cronin's one-man effort in overtime lifted Princeton University to a 3-2 victory over 12th-ranked Providence College on Tuesday night, in NCAA men's hockey action at Hobey Baker Rink in central New Jersey.

Cronin's backhand shot from the slot, following a solo rush through the neutral zone, eluded Providence netminder Philip Svedebäck (23 saves) up high on the glove side to lift the Tigers (10-9-0 overall) to their third consecutive win, all at home. Ethan Pearson made 36 stops for Princeton, which snuffed all six Providence power-play attempts, while Tigers defensemen David Ma and Pito Walton notched two assists apiece.

After Liam Valente opened the scoring for the Friars (12-7-6) on a tip-in goal less than three minutes into regulation, Adams Robbins responded later in the first period for Princeton with his own deflection, to knot matters at a goal apiece. The score then remained unchanged until Princeton's Nick Seitz and Providence's Riley Duran exchanged goals 21 seconds apart in the third stanza, setting the stage for Cronin's sudden-death heroics.

Tuesday marked the third contest between the former Eastern College Athletic Conference rivals since last season, which began with a two-step sweep by the Friars at home, but it was the first meeting at Hobey Baker Rink since 1997. Providence still leads the all-time series, which started in 1954, by a 25-13-3 count.

Princeton returns to ECAC Hockey play this weekend at Colgate and Cornell, while Providence will be idle until returning to Hockey East action on Jan. 27-28 at Maine.