Boston College 2, Quinnipiac 1 (OT): Cutter Gauthier scores game-winner in season opener

HAMDEN, Ct. -- Boston College hockey opened their season with a 2-1 overtime win Saturday night at Quinnipiac, as Cutter Gauthier sniped one home in with 10 seconds to go from the top of the circle to fend off the defending national champions and spoil a successful banner night.

BC would get on the board late in the first period, as they were unable to capitalize on a five-minute major early in the game, but their first goal of the season would come from Andre Gasseau with just over a minute to go in the period. Gasseau intercepted a Quinnipiac pass in the Eagles' zone before taking it from one top of the circle to the other and ripping it past Bobcats goalie Vinny Duplessis for the 1-0 lead.

From there, BC struggled to stay out of the box. BC would go seven-for-seven however on the penalty kill, also blocking an impressive 13 shots with a number of those coming on the PK.

They were able to hold Quinnipiac scoreless until five minutes left in the third period, as Quinnipiac's Mason Marcellus tied it at one -- Jacob Fowler lost control of a rebound on a shot from the point.

Ryan Leonard had a chance late in regulation but couldn't finish, sending it to overtime -- where, it'd be mostly neutral zone play, until Leonard would enter the zone in the final 20 seconds, and he sent a cross-ice pass to Gauthier; Gauthier walked to the top of the circle before shooting one past Duplessis for the overtime victory.

~ The Eagles take on Long Island next Friday in their home opener.

~ Jacob Fowler made 29 saves on 30 chances in his Eagles debut.

~ Eamon Powell and Aidan Hreschuk each had three blocked shots respectively, tying for the team most while contributing to the tally of 13.

~ Gauthier had a club-high 11 shots (eight on goal) while taking a team-high (by a wide margin) 21 faceoffs, going 10-of-21.