GOAL BY GOAL: Defense Strong Again As Eagles Shut Out Colorado College

Of all the things BC hockey fans were excited about for this season, the defense wasn't really something anyone would think to mention. But with Thatcher Demko 100% healthy and the offense taking the pressure off, the defense has been a pleasant surprise early in the season.

Demko put up his second consecutive shutout late Friday night as the Eagles methodically worked their way past Colorado College by a score of 3-0.

The first period was scoreless, but BC dominated time of possession and racked up a 12-6 shot advantage. The Eagles never really gave Colorado College a chance to get going, and they finally cashed in to take a lead early in the second.

Boston College Goal #1 (GWG): 4:21 of the 2nd period
Ryan Fitzgerald (Jeremy Bracco, Colin White)

BC 1, CC 0

Fitzgerald had just been sprung for a completely clear breakaway and was stoned by CC goalie Jacob Nehama. The crowd was still cheering the save—and the Colorado College announcers as well—when Bracco got the puck over to Fitzgerald on a nice reset at the blue line. Fitzgerald made a quick shimmy to his forehand for a goal that immediately quieted the Tiger crowd.

A pair of BC penalties later in the period gave Colorado College what should have been an opportunity to gain momentum, but the Eagles not only stifled them, but barely even let them have the puck. The penalty kill was 6 for 6 on the evening and looked every bit as good as "6 for 6" sounds.

BC just couldn't put the game away for a while in the third, as the CC announcers kept optimistically pointing out, but right as the play-by-play guy was talking about how the Tigers just needed a break to tie it up, Ryan Fitzgerald broke the poor man's heart. 

Boston College Goal #2: 14:43 of the 3rd period
Ryan Fitzgerald (Jeremy Bracco, Steve Santini)

BC 2, CC 0

Fitzgerald again with another nice shot, and that really puts the game away. In addition to the play-by-play guy sounding like his dog just died, the poor CC goalie looks like he wants to crawl into a hole and die.

And I guess I can see why; when you stay in a game where you just have no puck possession you really are just one bounce away from stealing a point. But truth be told, CC never really threatened.

Boston College Goal #3: 18:12 of the 3rd period
Zach Sanford (Jeremy Bracco)

BC 3, CC 0 -- FINAL

That's a grown-ass man goal right there out of Zach Sanford. Sanford puts the exclamation point on the victory with this definitely-not-an-empty-netter with under two minutes left, leaving BC fans much happier with the 3 goal win and CC fans probably much less frustrated since, well, I mean geez, look at that goal, what are you gonna do.

The Eagles will try to sweep CC on the road as #EaglesAfterDark returns tomorrow night with another 9pm edition of BC Hockey from Colorado College.