Nichols blanks Boston College as Connecticut earns first Hockey East win

HARTFORD, Conn. — Rob Nichols made 35 saves and Evan Richardson scored a first-period power-play goal as Connecticut beat No. 3 Boston College 1-0 on Wednesday for its first Hockey East win.

The Huskies (2-4-2, 1-2 Hockey East) handed the Eagles (4-3, 1-2) their first shutout in 106 games, ending the nation’s longest streak of games with at least one goal.

The teams played in front of a sellout crowd of 8,089 in the Huskies’ home opener at XL Center.

Richardson, who transferred from Boston College after last season, made the most of his first game against his old team.

His power-play wrist shot beat Eagles goaltender Thatcher Demko 10:41 into the first period.

From there, Nichols kept Boston College off the scoreboard for his second collegiate shutout.

The Eagles outshot the Huskies 35-22.