NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Bulldogs are going into the holidays with an enormous victory to close out the first half of the 2015-16 season. John Hayden had two goals, Ryan Hitchcock had a goal and an assist, Joe Snively handed out two helpers and Alex Lyon stopped 27 shots as No. 15 Yale knocked off No. 11 Boston University 3-2 before a sellout crowd at Ingalls Rink.

A clash of rivals from the original ECAC, who met in the NCAA tournament last March, turned into a classic up-and-down the ice, mostly even-strength contest with Yale outshooting BU 31-29.

There were numerous standouts in the offensive end who got their names listed in the box score. The defense, however, deserves equal credit for holding off the team that played in the 2015 Frozen Four finale.

Lyon had many "did you see that" saves and could easily be considered the difference in the game. He would tell you his teammates – like senior blueliners Rob O'Gara and Mitch Witek (both had assists) -deserve all the credit, and he would be right in some ways.

Hayden, Hitchcock and Snively were masterful with the puck at times, while all four lines produced scoring chances and put pressure on the Terrier defense.

"Our guys needed a win. We certainly earned it, we've been working hard all week," said Keith Allain 80, Yale's Malcolm G. Chace Head Coach. "Margins are so small, and our fourth line helped push us over tonight."

The first 20 minutes included great action at both ends and required top-notch saves by both goalies. Hayden was among the hardest working Bulldogs during that span, maintaining possession of the puck a few times going back and forth behind the BU net. Early and late in the period he put quality wrap-around shots on Connor LaCouvee (28 saves) on the way to outshooting the Terriers 10-9.

However, the clear highlight of the opening frame was a save by Lyon with one second left. BU had a two-on-one, and first-line winger Danny O'Regan took a crossing pass in the right circle before flicking a wrister toward the lower right corner of the cage. The shot appeared destined for the net. Lyon's pad swung out at the last moment and punched the puck to the side.

"That was a huge save," said Allain. "That's what a great goaltender does for a hockey team. There was a number of big saves Alex made. That was pretty much a vintage Alex Lyon game."

The second frame began with three tough saves by both goalies over a span of 40 seconds. The Blue ended up with an 18-10 advantage in shots that period, but BU drew first blood with Ahti Oksanen's one-timer at 6:55. There were plenty of chances for both teams to find the net before the Elis eventually got the equalizer.

Late in the period, with a face-off in the BU end, Stu Wilson won it back to the point for Witek, who fired it toward the net. As the puck arrived in the low slot, Hitchock, who was invited to the U.S. tryout for the World Junior Tournament, jumped in to screen the goalie and allow it to go on target. However, the puck hit the defenseman next to Hitchcock, and it bounced off to the right of the crease. Hitchcock gathered it as the goalie sprawled to his left and flicked it over his outstretched arm with 1:47 left.

"It [win] was a huge relief. They are a really good team," said Hitchcock. "It was big for us to get confidence going heading into the break."

The scoring wasn't done for the period, and a five-minute major penalty on Ryan Cloonan (game misconduct for boarding at 19:04) created another Eli opportunity.

The Bulldogs worked the early part of the five-minute power play to perfection. They created space while moving the puck around with speed and great care. Snively had the puck along the boards and sent it down to Hitchcock, who turned and found Hayden open in the slot with some room to shoot. The perfect Hitchcock feed was one-timed low blocker side by the junior forward with 19.9 seconds left to make it 2-1.

That's all the net Yale could find on that extended advantage, which ran into the third period, but it didn't take long for the Elis to get another, thanks to a super Snively feed.

The Bulldog freshman winger crossed over the BU blueline on the left side and then threaded the needle with a lead pass to Hayden, who slipped through the left circle and came in alone on LaCouvee before tucking it five-hole with 13:29 left.

"It's a skill Joe has," said Hayden referring to Snively's passing ability. "Whenever he has the puck, I want to do my job and get behind the defenseman. Fortunately, he put it in the right spot. It was no surprise."

Hayden, part of many of the big plays all game, was called for a penalty with 4:30 left and his team up by two goals. Lyon was ferocious on the advantage and knocked aside two shots and the penalty-kill unit did its job so well.

The BU power-play unit didn't get it done, but pulling its goalie for an extra attacker did. All of a sudden, it was 3-2 with 2:42 left.

It was pure craziness the rest of the way. With an open net in front of him, Hayden tried to squeeze past two defenders and barely missed his third goal of the night, which gave BU hope to even things.

Finally, a Chris Izmirlian blocked shot, a Lyon save and a Bulldog clear of the zone ran out the final seconds on the clock and the Yale sticks were raised in celebration.

Lyon, who had missed the previous game with an injury, was happy with most aspects of the outing.

"I felt sharp. The team was selling out for everything tonight, I think it really speaks to the character of our team. It's a great note to have going into a much needed break," said Lyon.

BU ended Yale's 2014-15 season with a 3-2 OT decision at the Manchester regional. The Bulldogs had not forgotten about that.

"There was definitely a bitter taste in our mouths from the spring," said Hayden. "That attributed to some of our energy tonight."

Filed by Steve Conn, Yale Associate AD & Sports Publicity Director

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