Boston College Loses Overtime Heartbreaker to UNH 1-0
photo courtesy of BCeagles.com
Boston College continued Hockey East play Friday night, in Durham New Hampshire against a .500 University of New Hampshire Wildcats squad. The Eagles would again have to go without Logan Hutsko in this one due to a leg injury. Fourth line winger Casey Carreau made his season debut in Hutsko's spot.
BC coming off a 6-2 beatdown at home to the hands of Providence. UNH coming off a 3-0 loss on the road against Boston University. One of these teams would get back into the win column, unfortunately for the Eagles it was UNH courtesy of an Angus Crookshank tip in from Max Gildon in overtime.
First Period Notes
The Eagles had good possession in the offensive zone in the early going as they out shot the Wildcats 7-0 in the first 4:10. UNH really couldn't get crisp passes and BC jumped on them in the neutral zone. Though BC had good possession, junior goaltender Mike Robinson was up for the challenge making a couple of tough saves early.
As the first period got going, UNH got their legs a bit more but not quite enough to get a real good threat. It took nearly ten minutes for the Wildcats to even get their first shot. The third line D pairing of Marshall Warren and Connor Moore had some mistakes but were able to fix them quick in their own zone.
The top line of BC was the most productive as they were the line that really established good shots from high percentage areas on Robinson. And the second line had some quality looks too, it looks like Jerry York likes what he sees from this line.
UNH did have one decent offensive zone possession with three minutes left with a couple shots on Spencer Knight but were able to only get a brief offensive zone look.
Surprising about this one is the first penalty didn't occur until 39 seconds left as Senior Captain defenseman Anthony Wyse got two minutes for hooking for the Wildcats to set up BC's first power play. BC had a strong beginning to the power play before the clock read 0:00.
BC out shot UNH 24-9, 10 of BC's shots were on goal while only four UNH shots found Spencer Knight. Both the Eagles and Wildcats won nine faceoffs in the first 20.
After 1: BC - 0 UNH - 0
Second Period Notes
The Eagles would start the period on the man advantage but it wasn't that pretty. They had good possession but seemed timid to shoot the puck. The penalty kill gave the Wildcats some momentum especially their bottom two lines.
Anthony Wyse would go back to the sin bin though to end the momentum six minutes into the second with a cross check. But again, the Wildcats were able o kill the penalty. Luckily for the Eagles, UNH didn't really get much momentum from the penalty kill.
Matt Boldy had a great look on Robinson in the slot but Robinson made a terrific save to keep it at 0-0 halfway through the second. The looks for the Eagles are slowly, but surely, getting better. Boldy nearly had a one timer just a few minutes before too.
Ottawa Senators draft pick Angus Crookshank did have a couple of looks below the left circle put couldn't quite connect on crossing passes. But shortly after, Marc McLaughlin committed BC's first penalty which sent the Eagles to the penalty kill. Spencer Knight made a couple of nice saves in the early part of the penalty to keep the game scoreless and BC would eventually kill off the penalty.
The Eagles played sloppy in the second as Julius Mattila went to the box with just over three minutes left for cross checking. BC did have a decent look at a short handed goal halfway through but the story of the penalty kill once again was Spencer Knight to hold the game scoreless.
Shots favored BC 40-23 overall (16-14 in the second period). Shots on goal after two favored the Eagles as well 19-13 (9-9 in the second period). Both teams were able to kill off two penalties. BC still had more offensive zone possession, but the game still remained at a scoreless tie.
After 2: BC - 0 UNH - 0
Third Period Notes
Just a minute in, Boldy again had a shot on goal that somehow didn't go in. Robinson made the save, dropped it off his back and he kicked it back into play.
Again, BC came out looking good in the offensive zone and yet again Mike Robinson made some amazing saves. But as the third period got into crunch time with under 10 minutes left, the Wildcats picked up more and more momentum on offense getting good looks on Knight.
But as soon as UNH seemed to have things figured out, they went back on the penalty kill because of a Angus Crookshank tripping on Ben Finkelstein. But the traditional BC power play results in a lot of passing but little shooting as UNH was able to kill off the penalty.
The tale of the third period was the goalies. Both making highlight reel saves one right after another.
David Cotton had a golden opportunity off of a juicy rebound but just couldn't quite get the puck to stick to his stick. This was Boston College's second legitimate opportunity all game long but still couldn't get it passed Robinson.
Shots favored BC 55-40 (17-15 UNH in the third). Shots on goal favored BC 28-23 (10-9 UNH in the third). UNH's offense woke up a lot more in the third but Spencer Knight was ready.
0After 3: BC - 0 UNH - 0
Overtime Notes
This was UNH's fourth overtime game of the year and BC's first.
Tired players were definitely the story line. After 60 minutes of hockey and Coach York relying heavily on the top line, there were a lot of icings in the overtime period.
But we did get an overtime winner from Angus Crookshank when he tipped in his first goal of the year from a Max Gildon shot from the blue line.
Final from Durham: BC - 0 UNH - 1
Final Thoughts
Boston College did play a much cleaner game in terms of penalties. They only committed two in the second period and that was it for the game. But again, defensively they looked slow getting back. And at times, puck possession wasn't the cleanest for either squad. Skating seemed to be a struggle as well.
Boston College outplayed UNH in the neutral zone all night forcing turnovers left and right. 16 alone in the first period. Even though BC had more possession, UNH had the better looks, much like the Providence match-up.
The blue liners for the Wildcats were excellent at blocking shots as they blocked 16 Boston College shots. And offensively for UNH, they certainly picked things up in the third but couldn't beat Spencer Knight until overtime.
It looked like the Eagles were trying to create the perfect opportunity. Just one too many passes and possessing the puck a little too much instead of just shooting.
And yet again, the story for BC continued. They had the possession but couldn't convert on the opportunities. The Eagles drop their fourth straight and second within Hockey East.
Boston College will look for Hockey East win number one when they travel to Providence to take on the Friars tomorrow. UNH will take on Dartmouth at home tomorrow.