Friday, Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. MDT, on 1600/AM

Three things the fifth-ranked University of Denver hockey team must do during its non-conference matchup against No. 4 Boston College.

1 — Do not allow the Eagles to score an early goal. The Pioneers gave up a goal in the first two minutes in each of their first three games and expended quite a bit of energy just trying to catch up in all three. Two other problems would result: first, it would encourage Boston College’s passionate crowd even more; and second, it likely would embolden the Eagles to be even more aggressive given the stellar play of goaltender Thatcher Demko, who has not allowed a goal in almost 13 periods. And I’m sure the Eagles are thinking in the backs of their minds about the Pioneers knocking them out of the NCAA Tournament last spring.

2 — Make power-play chances count. The Eagles take approximately five penalties per game, but like the Pioneers, have a very good kill (92 percent) thanks to Demko and a veteran blue line group. DU has drawn a little more than three penalties per game but has only scored once in its first four games. Look for the top unit of Danton Heinen-Trevor Moore-Quentin Shore-Will Butcher-Nolan Zajac to come out firing.

3 — Use your speed to possess the puck and keep the action in the BC zone. A big key to the Pioneers’ three victories so far has been their ability to control the puck in the neutral and offensive zones, mainly because of their speed and skill across all four lines.

Bottom line: This is a tall order for DU, particularly with the way Demko is playing right now, but the Pioneers come in rested. DU has excellent balance, speed and some terrific goaltending of its own in Tanner Jaillet and Evan Cowley. It’s too bad this game isn’t being broadcast on television because it should be a dandy!

@MagnessMayhem