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GOAL BY GOAL: Boston College Hockey Falls In Overtime To Denver

Eagles burned by struggling power play

Elsa

A strong 3 point weekend for the Eagles was just a minute away, and BC fans watching the online stream were just getting ready to shut down their computers in muted satisfaction. But after failing to capitalize on 8 power play chances and not converting on its few offensive chances, Denver scored late in overtime to earn a 2-1 win over Boston College.

For a while, the game was a carbon copy of Friday's, with even play, strong defense, and no scoring in the first period. The similarities would continue into the second period.

Denver Goal #1: 0:21 of the first period
Danton Heinen (Trevor Moore, Daniel Doremus)

DU 1, BC 0

That's now two straight nights that BC has come out in the second period and allowed a Pioneer skater a free lane to the net. This time, Moore turns on the jets and catches BC off guard through the slot. There's a lot of traffic in front of Demko but Moore is able to find Heinen just off to the side. Heinen gets a clean chance at the puck and Demko's got no chance.

But just like Friday night, BC would come back.

Boston College Goal #1: 12:56 of the 2nd period
Destry Straight (Travis Jeke,  Quinn Smith)

BC 1, DU 1

This goal came out of nowhere on a seemingly harmless shot from the blue line out of Travis Jeke, filling in for the injured Steve Santini. There isn't even much traffic in front of the net, although a bit develops while Jeke snaps his shot, and Straight is able to get a stick on it and deflect it up over the shoulder of Denver goaltender Evan Cowley.

BC had its best chances in the second period, but other than Straight's goal, they couldn't manage enough pressure to go ahead. Particularly concerning was the fact that Denver took 5 straight penalties and BC couldn't convert on a single one, going a tough 0 for 8 on the day. Worst of all was that BC struggled to get any serious threat going.

Last year BC had a rough start on the power play and managed to turn into the best unit in the country, so with the new personnel BC might need some time to gel. It isn't time to worry just yet, but with their limited offense to begin with, they are going to need to improve to take advantage of their best opportunities to score.

Denver carried play for the most part in the third period, although BC had their chances. In overtime, BC saw their hard work go down the drain.

Denver Goal #2 (GWG): 4:05 of overtime
Danton Heinen (Daniel Doremus, Josiah Didier)

DU 2, BC 1 (OT) -- FINAL

It's tough to fall this late in a game, but it wasn't for lack of a defensive effort. While the debate can be made that Straight's line shouldn't have been on the ice in overtime, BC's players did everything they could to disrupt the Denver rush. Stick check after stick check disrupted the play but the puck just found it's way onto Heinen's stick almost the same place where he tipped in Denver's first goal. A quick wrister later, Denver's bench emptied in celebration.

So BC flies home with a quality road split, but with the feeling that they could have done more. They will have a quick turnaround, heading to Storrs Hartford to take on UConn in the Huskies' Hockey East opener on Wednesday night (??), followed by the first game against a BU Terriers team that has gotten off to a blazing start.

Stick around for coverage all week as BC looks to start a new winning streak entering Hockey East play.