Denver hockey split its Homecoming Weekend series against Boston College at Magness Arena, earning a 5-2 victory Friday, Oct. 23, before tying 2-2 through regulation and overtime Saturday, Oct. 24, and losing 1-0 in the shootout. 

The No. 4 Crimson and Gold entered the weekend with a 2-2-0 record, while the No. 18 Eagles entered at 1-2-0.

Friday, Oct. 23: Denver defeats Boston College 5-2

Denver opened Friday’s game with an aggressive first period, creating several scoring opportunities against Boston College’s defense. 

The Eagles threatened early when Ryan Conmy sent a shot toward Denver’s junior goaltender Tyler Krivtsov that struck the crossbar and bounced away from the net. Krivtsov made several important saves to keep Boston College off the scoreboard.

Krivtsov said stepping into the starting role over the past two weekends had gone well, particularly as the team adjusted to sophomore goaltender Johnny Hicks absence. 

“Obviously, Johnny’s been kind of fighting a head injury a little bit,” Krivtsov said. “So, the team kind of needs to step in for a little.”

With less than three minutes remaining in the first period, senior forward Sam Harris opened the scoring for Denver. After signaling for a pass from junior forward James Reeder, Harris skated through the middle of Boston College’s defensive zone and fired a shot over the goaltender’s shoulder into the top left corner. Reeder received the assist, giving Denver a 1-0 lead. 

The Crimson and Gold outshot the Eagles 11-7 in the opening period.

Denver extended its lead early in the second period. At 2:06, senior forward Kieran Cebrian skated through the Eagles’ defense and scored on a shot from in front of the net, putting Denver ahead 2-0.

Boston College responded with two goals within 34 seconds of each other. 

At 10:41, Dean Letourneau scored after the Eagles recovered a rebound from an initial shot stopped by Krivtsov. Letourneau moved the puck around the back of the net before finding the lower-left corner to cut Denver’s lead to 2-1. 34 seconds later, Carson Woodall scored to tie the game at 2-2.

The second period became increasingly physical, with several confrontations following plays near the net. The officials issued penalties to Boston College’s Conmy for slashing and Denver’s Harris for roughing. 

Both teams finished the period with 23 shots on goal.

Denver quickly regained the lead in the third period. Just 29 seconds in, freshman defender Daxon Rudolph scored on the power play with assists from sophomore forward Clarke Caswell and sophomore forward Kyle Chyzowski. Rudolph’s shot from the middle of Boston College’s defensive zone slipped between the goaltender and the left post, giving Denver a 3-2 advantage.

The Crimson and Gold added another goal at 7:26 when Reeder scored off an assist from senior defenseman Cale Ashcroft. Ashcroft passed the puck across the front of the net, and Reeder’s shot deflected off the Boston College goaltender and into the goal, extending Denver’s lead to 4-2.

Boston College pulled its goaltender late in the period to add an extra attacker, but Denver capitalized on the empty net. With less than a minute remaining, Cebrian scored from near the halfway line to record his second goal of the game and secure Denver’s 5-2 victory. 

Denver finished with 32 shots on goal, while the Eagles recorded 28.

Despite taking on a larger role of starting goalie for the Crimson and Gold, Krivtsov said he has kept his routine consistent while continuing to work on his game. He finished the game with 26 saves. 

“I kind of treat every day as kind of the same,” Krivtsov said. “It’s a process, and I just try to get better every day.” 

Saturday, Oct. 24: Boston College wins shootout after 2-2 tie

The teams returned to Magness Arena Saturday for the closing game. Boston College outshot Denver 10-5 in the first period but neither team found the net. Krivtsov helped keep the game scoreless as the Eagles created early opportunities.

Denver took control in the second period, scoring twice to build a 2-0 lead. Sophomore forward Kristian Epperson opened the scoring at 5:31, assisted by Caswell. Freshman defender Blake Fiddler added another goal at 13:46, scoring his first career collegiate goal and first of the season, with Caswell and Rudolph recording assists.

Boston College answered late in the period. At 18:43, Matias Vanhanen scored off assists from Luka Radivojevic and Matthew Grimes, cutting Denver’s lead to 2-1 heading into the third period.

The Eagles completed the comeback at 19:14 of the third period when Teddy Stiga scored the tying goal. Vanhanen and Letourneau assisted on the play, evening the score at 2-2. Neither side found another goal in regulation, despite both teams recording 23 shots on goal in the third period.

The five minute overtime period also ended scoreless. Pridham and freshman forward Ryan Miller sent shots wide, while Krivtsov stopped Boston College attempts to keep the Crimson and Gold in contention.

With neither team able to break the tie, the game moved to a shootout. Letourneau was the only player to score, giving Boston College a 1-0 shootout victory.

Denver is scheduled to return to Magness Arena on Friday, Oct. 30, to face University of Omaha.