UConn Hockey Stuns BC at XL Center

Hockey East arrived in Hartford in a big way Wednesday night.

Playing its first season in one of the nation's premier conferences, UConn stunned No. 3 Boston College 1-0 in front of more than 8,000 fans who turned out for the team's home opener at the XL Center.

Rob Nichols made 35 saves for UConn (2-4-2, 1-2 Hockey East) against the five-time national champions.

Evan Richardson, a BC transfer, had the only goal. He stepped into the left faceoff circle and beat goalie Thatcher Demko on a power play in the first period. The crowd broke into towel-waving cheers as "Brass Bonanza," the old Hartford Whalers' fight song, blared from the speakers.

Fans were on their feet for the last 2 minutes of the game, as Nichols faced a barrage of shots from the Eagles (4-3, 1-2) before being mobbed by his teammates at the final horn.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us