NCAA hockey: Overtime goal lifts Boston University into the Frozen Four

Call it the Jay Pandolfo hat trick.

Pandolfo has been the head coach of Boston University for three seasons. And he’s led the Terriers to the Frozen Four each time.

On Saturday, in Toledo, Ohio, junior Quinn Hutson played the role of hero when he scored at 6:25 of overtime to power BU to a thrilling 3-2 win over Cornell in the NCAA Tournament regional final.

Picking up assists on the winning goal were Ryan Greene and Shane Lachance. Taking a short pass along the boards at the right point, Hutson rifled a 50-foot shot which sailed past Cornell goaltender Ian Shane (40 saves), prompting a wild on-ice celebration.

BU freshman goaltender Mikhail Yegerow stood tall in making 37 saves. Quinn Hutson and his younger brother, freshman defenseman Cole Hutson, each collected two points.

BU will now pack its bags for the Frozen Four in St. Louis. It will be the program’s 25th appearance in the national semifinals.

Cornell took a 1-0 lead at 7:35 of the first period on a strike off the stick of Ryan Walsh, but the Terriers tied it just 1:12 later when Matt Copponi didn’t give up the play and stuffed a shot past Shane at the left post.

Cole Hutson gave BU a 2-1 advantage just 34 seconds into the third period. With the Terriers on the power play, the rookie took the puck with a head of steam and skated to his left.

He moved below the left faceoff circle and uncorked a wrist shot which clanked in off the iron. Assists were collected by Tom Willander and Quinn Hutson. Cornell, however, answered with the tying goal by Jack O’Leary. O’Leary snapped a low wrist shot about 20 feet out past Yegorov.

UMass was also attempting to extend its season and punch a ticket to St. Louis on Saturday night in a clash with Western Michigan in Fargo, N.D.

UMass stunned Minnesota by storming back from a 3-1 deficit entering the third period to win 5-4 in overtime.

Look ahead

On Sunday, two more Hockey East teams will be in action.

In Manchester, N.H., the eyes of the college hockey world will be on SNHU Arena as Boston College and Denver will battle for the right to advance to the Frozen Four.

This is a matchup of teams littered with NHL draft picks and talent. It’s also the rematch of last year’s national championship game won by Denver.

BC needed two goals in the last 90 seconds to hold off upset-minded Bentley, 3-1, while Denver was dominant in ousting Providence, 5-1.

In Allentown, Pa., UConn will look to advance to its first Frozen Four. To do so, the Huskies will have to silence what is sure to be a pro-Penn State crowd.

Both teams were impressive in their tournament openers. UConn eliminated Quinnipiac, 4-1, while Penn State surprised many by cruising past Maine, 5-1.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous post Monthly Housing Payments Hit All-Time High, Home Affordability Affected
Next post Massachusetts families ‘at risk’ under Gov. Healey’s proposed mental health cuts, critics say