Game One to the Good Guys

Photo from BC Athletics

Boston College is one game away from returning to the TD Garden after defeating the Vermont Catamounts 3-0 in game one of their best of three series. BC got goals from Adam Gilmour, Austin Cangelosi, and Ryan Fitzgerald while Thatcher Demko posted an NCAA leading 10th shutout of the season. The first line led the way for BC as Cangelosi and Gilmour each recorded a goal and two assists, while Miles Wood was a force all over the ice. The Eagles were solid in their own end, despite rolling 5 defensemen as Josh Couturier was sidelined. I marvel at how many minutes Ian McCoshen and Steve Santini eat up. I don't know if BC has ever had a blue liner play more in a season than McCoshen has this year- it is incredible.

The first period was certainly BC's best of the game as they utterly dominated the Catamounts in terms of possession and shots on goal. The Eagles took advantage of a horrible defensive zone breakdown by UVM when Cangelosi dished a pass to Gilmour, who one-timed a shot past Mike Santaguida. Just five minutes later, those two teamed up once again to put Santaguida in some trouble behind his own net, before Cangelosi took the puck and banged home his 17th of the year. Even though we're late in the season, I continue to be amazed by the development of certain guys, particularly Cangelosi and Gilmour. To say last year was a disappointment for #26 would be an understatement, but he has taken his game to another level in 2016. With the addition of Wood, I figured Cangelosi's point production would increase but I don't think anyone dreamed of him becoming one of the top forwards in the league. The Estero, Florida native now has 10 points in the past 7 games. As for Gilmour, I thought he had a decent sophomore campaign, but he has blossomed into a real threat over the past three months. The defensive aspect of his game has impressed me- they didn't have him killing penalties on a consistent basis in 2015. Fast forward a year and he has locked down a crucial role on BC's highly successful penalty killing unit. He is still adjusting to manning the point on the the second power unit, something he has never done in his career, but hopefully with more reps, #14 will continue to make strides in that department. Of course, a big part of that line's prosperity has to do with Miles Wood's sensational freshman campaign- he was all over the ice wrecking havoc on UVM.

Unfortunately, BC's performance took a slight dip over the final forty minutes. They didn't play poorly, it just was not anywhere near what they are capable of. Vermont took a pair of penalties at the end of the first and early in the second, which gave way to a BC power play unit that had been struggling with zero goals in its past twelve attempts. Ryan Fitzgerald ended the cold streak when he ripped one past Santaguida, ending the night for UVM's junior goalie. Once again, Cangelosi made an exceptional pass leading to a quality scoring chance. After that tally, BC seemed to have taken their foot off the pedal by allowing Vermont to generate far too many opportunities. The Eagles did not concede many "grade A' chances but UVM was buzzing around Demko for the final fifteen minutes of the stanza. We can talk about the need for scoring from all four lines but at the end of the day, if this team is going to Florida, it will because of their netminder. The Eagles had a chance to put Vermont away towards the end of the period when they were given two more power plays but were unable to muster much. The first unit of Sanford-White-Tuch, McCoshen-Doherty, had their chances, but give UVM credit for the way they killed.

Not much to talk about with regards to the third period. Vermont pressed hard and tried to get something going but in the end, BC was too much for the green and yellow.

Overall, not a fantastic game for BC, it can certainly be better, but this time of year, you take any win you can get. I thought Colin White was one of, if not the best players on the ice once again. BC's offensive outlook is totally different with #18 on the second line- he is the engine that makes the train roll. There was a scare when two UVM defenseman sandwiched White midway through the first period but he got right up and played the rest of the game. The staff gave the fourth line more ice time tonight than normal- especially Joey Dudek and Travis Jeke who were out there for almost every penalty kill. Neither of them killed any penalties from October to mid-February but the staff has clearly noticed their improved play and as long as they keep it up, I don't see any reasons as to why they won't see increased minutes. Calnan did not play a regular shift but when he was out there, that line was spending a lot more time in the offensive zone. Once again, BC took far too many penalties (6), with one of them being an Ian McCoshen five minute major late in the third. They were lucky he was not issued a disqualification because it would have put them in a quagmire.

Hopefully they can close out the series tonight.

Why BC Won- 

1. Cangelosi line was unreal. 7 points for BC's top trio.

2. Demko turned in another terrific game. 10 shutouts for the Canucks draft pick and he looked like a brick wall back there. When he is playing like that, it's just not fair.

3. Penalty kill came up clutch. UVM's power play struggles against BC continued as the Cats are now 1 for 21 against the Eagles on the power play this season.

Negatives- 

1. Power play was not great. Yes, they had a goal, but other than that, it was not an earth-shattering performance. I'm not worried, both units will get hot at some point.

2. No points from Tuch's line. I didn't think they played bad, but BC needs them to put the puck in the net.

Players of the game- Couldn't decide between Cangelosi, Gilmour, and Demko.

Next- game two tomorrow @ 7 PM.