Quinnipiac’s Landon Smith answers first-minute goal by BC’s Tuch to give Bobcats 3-1 lead after two

TAMPA, Fla. – Boston College and Quinnipiac each scored in the second period of today’s national semifinal, giving the Bobcats a two-goal lead after two.

Alex Tuch tucked a rebound behind Quinnipiac goalie Michael Garteig to get Boston College on the scoreboard just 23 seconds into the second period. Casey Fitzgerald kept the puck in play at the left point and fed Colin White in the slot. White’s shot deflected off Garteig’s pad onto Tuch’s stick.

Landon Smith’s 12th goal of the season just nine seconds into Quinnipiac’s first power play gave the Bobcats back a two-goal lead at 4:32 of the second period. Smith swatted a bouncing puck past Boston College goaltender Thatcher Demko that had fluttered to the right side of the crease after a goalmouth attempt by Tim Clifton. Smith, Scott Davidson and Travis St. Denis each have four postseason goals for Quinnipiac.

Boston College is 0-for-3 on the power play while Quinnipiac is 1-for-2 so far, while its third man advantage will carry 1:36 into the third period. BC has a 22-21 shot-on-goal edge through two, while the Bobcats lead in face-offs won, 23-18.