UConn falls to No. 3 Boston College in overtime

UConn men’s hockey closed the first half with a 2-1 overtime loss to the No. 3 Boston College Eagles on Wednesday night at Kelley Rink. The Huskies were out-shot 33-11 over the final two periods but forced overtime and stole a point towards the Hockey East standings with the OT result.

Ryan Tattle scored UConn’s lone goal on the night while Callum Tung was spectacular in net for the Huskies, stopping 41 of 43 shots — including 17 in the third period alone.

On special teams, UConn’s penalty kill notched its fifth shorthanded goal of the season and went a perfect 5/5. Down the other end, the power play unit had a rough performance, failing to score on three opportunities while ending a five minute advantage with a penalty of their own.

The Huskies had three breakaway chances right away but couldn’t convert on any. Kaden Shahan came the closest but his backhand deke was denied by an impressive save from BC goalie Jacob Fowler. UConn then lost that early momentum with a penalty and while it killed off the power play, the Eagles still went ahead 1-0 shortly afterwards.

The Huskies had opportunities to tie with some extended zone play in the latter half of the period but couldn’t capitalize. They went into the first intermission down 1-0.

Early in the second period, UConn went on the power play but didn’t do much with it. Instead, its penalty kill proved to be a better source of offense when Hudson Schandor sprung Tattle free on a breakaway. The junior buried the shot to make it a 1-1 game.

The Huskies had a golden opportunity to extend the lead when BC’s Drew Fortescue got a five minute major and game misconduct after elbowing Jake Richard in the head behind the play but they didn’t capitalize. They failed to generate much offense on the advantage and even gave up a couple dangerous shorthanded chances before wiping out the rest of the power play with a penalty of their own.

The two teams went into the final period deadlocked at one goal apiece.

Out of the break, the Eagles jumped on the Huskies. They dominated play and had a 17-4 edge in shots in the third but couldn’t find a winner. Ryan Leonard came close when he rang the post on a one-timer with a minute left but the puck stayed out. With the score still tied at the end of regulation, the two sides went to 3×3 overtime.

UConn’s defense eventually cracked under the pressure. BC broke out on a 2v1 through the neutral zone and James Hagens tucked a shot under the bar for the OT winner.

Despite the loss, the Huskies win the season series with the Eagles by claiming four of six points. UConn grabbed three points in a 5-4 victory in regulation victory during first meeting back in November.

The Huskies enter the winter break with a 7-7-1 overall record and a 4-6-1 mark in Hockey East. They currently sit tied for fourth place in the league with 14 points but have already played 11 conference games — more than anyone else.

After the winter break, UConn will return to action in the Kwik Trip Holiday Classic in Milwaukee, where it’ll take on Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday, Dec. 28.