PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS: Boston College Hockey at UConn

GAME FACTS

Who:

#9 Boston College Eagles (10-3-1, 5-0-1 HEA) at

#23 UConn Huskies (4-4-5, 2-2-1 HEA)

What:

Hockey East game

When:

Tuesday, November 22, 2016, 7:00 PM

Where:

XL Center, Hartford, CT

Why:

The Boston College Eagles are looking to bounce back from their first loss in over a month with yet another midweek tilt in Hartford against the Huskies.

How to Watch:

The game will be streamed by UConn for $9.95

How to Listen:

WEEI 850 AM or Boston College’s website

BC STORYLINES

• UConn has been a tough foe for BC since joining Hockey East in 2014-15. UConn memorably topped BC 1-0 in the two teams’ first meeting two years ago; BC edged UConn narrowly in the return game at Conte Forum the following January. Last year, BC made quick work of UConn in Hartford, but the Huskies tied the Eagles at Conte Forum.
• Friday was yet another penalty killing disaster for BC: they went shorthanded 7 times and gave up 3 goals. At 80.4%, BC’s penalty kill is now tied with AIC for 42nd in the nation. It’s the worst in Hockey East.
• White heating up?: Colin White averaged 1.16 points per game last season, but has been trending behind that mark so far this year at 0.85. He recently had a stretch of scoring no points in 4 of 5 games. However, in his last three games, White has two goals and two assists. We'll see if the long-awaited White explosion takes place soon.
• Joe Woll is coming off two of his more difficult outings of the season, allowing 7 goals in his last two games (UNH, Havard). Will he get the call tonight?

GETTING TO KNOW THE OPPONENT

UConn continues to be an enigma in its third year in Hockey East play. UConn has 5 ties already this season, including ties to Colgate, RIT and AIC. But they also have wins over Notre Dame and BU. Saturday's win at Agganis Arena was vintage #icebus as the Huskies pounced for 4 goals and Adam Huska held strong between the pipes despite the fact that UConn was heavily outshot.

Freshman Adam Huska's save percentage is .930 and coming off a great performance on Saturday he is likely to get the nod tonight.

THE NUMBERS GAME

Despite their heavy defeat on Friday, BC remains tied for 4th in goal margin per game, averaging a +1.57 spread per game. UConn is #28 in that stat at +0.38.

UConn gives up some of the highest shot totals in the nation, allowing 33.23 shots per game and on average getting outshot by about 5. Given BC’s high possession numbers, expect a high shot total from the Eagles tonight.

THE EXPECTATIONS GAME

You’ve got to be expecting a win tonight. Even if #icebus does regularly do #icebus things.

RANDOM FACT ABOUT UCONN

On Saturday, November 19, the University of Connecticut Football Team managed to get negative rushing yards against Boston College.

CAT PREDICTIONS

Cat predictions are brought to you by the adoptable cats of the Gifford Cat Shelter, the nation’s oldest cageless, no-kill shelter - located near BC on Undine Road in Brighton.

Mimi is betraying her species and going with the Huskies. She wasn't too confident about this one and thinks it'll be a close game. 2-1 UConn.

HUMAN PREDICTIONS

Joe Gravellese - 5-1 Eagles. #icebus used up all their goals on Saturday night.

Grant Salzano - Let me be the first to say: BC 30, UConn 0

Laura Berestecki - BC 4, UConn 2

Arthur Bailin - BC 6, UConn 1

Eric Hoffses - BC 4, UConn 3

Tom Greenberg - BC 35, UConn 0 (combined football & hockey scores)

PREDICTION CONTEST

Hoffses was the only person bold enough to pick a Harvard W on Friday.

Standings

JPDot 4

Laura Berestecki 2

CoachJF 1

Gifford Cats 1

Joe Gravellese 1

Grant Salzano 1

BCJacket5 1

Arthur Bailin 1

princisb 1

Eric Hoffses 1

LEAVE US YOUR THOUGHTS

Watching along tonight as the Eagles look to bounce back with a win? Leave your thoughts here or join the conversation on Twitter at @BCInterruption. Go Eagles!!!