Men's Hockey Takes on UConn at the XL Center

Nov. 4, 2014

GAME NOTES: PDF  |  ISSUU (web version)

VIDEO: uconnhuskies.com

RADIO: WEEI 850 AM (P x P: Jon Rish  |  Color: Andy Powers)

LIVE STATS

2014-15 MEDIA GUIDE

BOSTON COLLEGE vs. CONNECTICUT

In Boston College's storied program history, the Eagles have never skated against regional adversary Connecticut until Wednesday night at the XL Center. When BC and UConn meet up in Hartford, it will mark the 72nd different program the Eagles have taken on in its 92nd season of operation. Wednesday's mid-week matchup features Connecticut's home opener at the XL Center, kicking off an 11-game stand in one of Hartford's premiere facilities.

RECONNAISSANCE ON UCONN

After an 18-14-4 overall mark and tying for third in their final season in the Atlantic Hockey Conference, the Huskies embark upon their first season as a member of Hockey East. With last year's mark, Connecticut posted winning seasons for just the second time in the program's Division I history (1998-present) and capped off the program's best four-year Division I stretch with 68 wins. UConn is 1-4-2 overall and has lost both Hockey East contests, but has hung tough in almost every outing thus far. After tying Penn State on the road to open the season, Connecticut lost the backend in Happy Valley, 7-1, before suffering a 2-1 overtime loss in its first Hockey East game at Merrimack. The Huskies first win of the year came at Quinnipiac in 4-1 fashion on Oct. 21. In their last three outings, UConn is 0-2-1 but have lost by one goal in each of those other losses. Freshman Spencer Naas anchors the Huskies' offense with two goals and two assists. Former Eagle Evan Richardson, who has a freshman on the 2013-14 BC club, transferred to UConn and has scored a goal and an assist in six games played. As Connecticut has been limited to just one goal in four of its first seven appearances, the Huskies rank 51st in offense nationally (1.71 gpg). The UConn defense has been staunch, ranking 26th in the country surrendering only 2.57 goals per game. Second-year goaltender Rob Nichols a leads the defense with a .928 save percentage (24th in NCAA) and 2.38 goals against average (35th in NCAA). UConn has scored one power play goal in 19 chances (53rd in NCAA) but done a fine job on the kill, stopping 85.7 percent (24-for-28).

DON'T I KNOW YOU?

Boston College head coach Jerry York will man the bench for his 1 ,649th time on Wednesday when his Eagles take on UConn. Across the way will be a familiar face in Huskies' coach Mike Cavanaugh. `Cav' might be entering only his 44th game as a head coach this Wednesday, but he spent considerable time alongside Jerry York. Cavanaugh became as assistant coach at Boston College before the 1995-96 season and was promoted to associate head coach in 2004. Cavanaugh assisted York for 773 games and helped the Eagles win four national titles in 2001, 2008, 2010 and 2012.

ANOTHER SEASON...ANOTHER BENCHMARK

The Schiller Family Head Hockey Coach of Boston College, Jerry York, won his 500th game behind the Eagles' bench in only 811 games after a 2-1 victory at Denver on Oct. 31, 2014. York is in his 21st season as BC bench boss. York continues to maintain the label as college hockey's winninges coach all-time, possessing a  967-579-102 mark in his 43rd season as a college hockey head coach.

SNEAKING UP ON SNOOKS

John "Snooks" Kelley, Boston College head coach for 36 years from 1932 to 1942 and 1946 to 1972, owns the most wins as Eagles' head with coach with an overall record of 501-244-15. If the Eagles defeat UConn, York ties Kelley for the most wins ever at BC. To date, York's mark on The Heights is 500-244-68.

OFFENSIVELY ON THE LOOSE

Through six games, Boston College has reestablished itself as one of the most prolific offenses in the country. Up to this point of the season, the Eagles have scored 21 goals and are averaging 3.50 goals per game. That marks is tied for eighth best in all of college hockey.

FITZ `N' GLAMOUR

Sophomore Ryan Fitzgerald had scored 16 career goals as an Eagle before the Oct. 31 game at Denver. The North Reading, Mass., native had never scored a pair in a game until that night, not only scoring his second power play tally of the season, but his second game-winning goal of the year. Fitzgerald is tied for 13th in goal scoring in all of college hockey and is tied for fourth with a pair of game-winning goals.

POWER HOUR

Ryan Fitzgerald and Adam Gilmour have both netted two power play goals on the season and are currently tied for eighth in the country in that category. That mark is also tied for tops in Hockey East. Gilmour is also the first player to score a pair of power play goals in a game for Boston College since Patrick Brown scored a pair against Maine on Jan. 18, 2014.

FRESH FROSH

Newcomers Alex Tuch and Zach Sanford are currently tied for fifth in scoring in Hockey East. Tuch has notched two goals and three assists, including back-to-back multi-point games on Oct. 24-25. Sanford has doled out five assists and is currently tied for third in all of Hockey East in that category.

QUINN CAN

Quinn Smith is riding a four-game point streak, one shy of a career best. The senior assistant captain has recorded assists in his last two outings before notching his second-career goal scoring streak from Oct. 25-31.  Smith's first two-game goal scoring streak took place from Feb. 1-4, 2013.

STRAIGHT UP

Destry Straight provided the Eagles' lone goal in BC's 2-1 overtime loss at Denver on Oct. 31. The West Vancouver, B.C., native is second on the team in career goals scored with 16.

DEFENSIVE POSITIONING

Boston College's offense has been clicking but the defense has shown marked improvement from its opening night. The Eagles' defensive corps is 18th in the country, surrendering 2.17 goals game. That mark ranks fifth in Hockey East.

LAST LINE OF DEFENSE

Sophomore goaltender Thatcher Demko won his fourth-straight game on Oct. 31 at Denver, surrendering only six goals in his last five outings. The San Diego native currently ranks 21st in the NCAA with a 1.98 goals against average  and 23rd with a .929 save percentage. Demko's winning percentage has risen to .667, tying him for 23rd in the country. 

Boston College Athletics

Men's Hockey Takes on UConn at the XL Center

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