UConn men's hockey falls to Boston College, 3-0

The Huskies out-played the No. 4 team in the nation for all 60 minutes but couldn't find the back of the net.

Author

Daniel Connolly
November 18, 2023

Photo: Ian Bethune

The No. 4 Boston College Eagles came into Toscano Family Ice Forum on Saturday night and stole a 3-0 win from UConn men’s hockey. The Huskies were the better team for 60 minutes but just couldn’t find the back of the net.

BC scored against the run of play in the first period off a UConn turnover then doubled the lead with a snipe from first-rounder Gutter Gauthier late in the third period. The Eagles added an empty netter with 2:36 left to secure the final.

The Huskies held a 31-27 edge in shots on goal, a 52-45 advantage in attempts and owned the possession battle. In goal, Ethan Haider did all he could to keep UConn in the game, stopping 25 of 27 shots.

The Huskies came up short on the power play, going 0-4. The unit executed well but — as has been the story of the season — couldn’t finish their chances. UConn’s penalty kill arguably created two of best looks of the night with a pair of breakaways but both were turned away.

The Huskies dominated the opening period, but went in the first intermission down 1-0 after a bad turnover on the blue line. Jake Flynn sent a shot into the skate of Gabe Perrault, which sparked a 2v0 rush for BC the other way. Perrault dished it to Will Smith, who beat Haider.

The second period was much of the same. UConn controlled play but just couldn’t put the puck in the back of the net. Jake Percival came the closest — he beat Jacob Fowler five-hole on a shorthanded breakaway but the puck hit the post and stayed out.

The Huskies continued to put pressure on BC’s net in the third but just couldn’t find the breakthrough. The Eagles scored a dagger with 3:30 left and then put the nail in the coffin with an empty-netter at the 2:36 mark.

UConn has now been shutout in three of four home contests and falls to 0-4-0 at Toscano Family Ice Forum and the XL Center. The Huskies finish the weekend with just one point, earned on Friday night in the overtime loss.

Next, UConn will play one game against Dartmouth on Saturday, Nov. 25 at the XL Center.