Jerry York

As one of the classiest coaches in the game, his 16-year reign behind the Eagles' bench has gone from revamping the program during his initial phase to producing the national powerhouse it is today. After capturing the school's fourth NCAA title in a dominant 5-0 performance Saturday night, he's rightfully earned his place as one of college hockey's greats. With a record three national titles in the last 10 years atop his list of accomplishments, he's raising the bar for the rest of the country.

York is currently the second-winningest coach of all time in college hockey with 850 victories, and he could very well be on track to surpass Ron Mason's record 924 wins over the next four years if the Eagles continue their pace. His record 33 NCAA tournament wins are the most of any coach in Division 1 history.

The Eagles' perennial national success doesn't happen by chance alone. The core of their recruiting style revolves around character first, then everything else second. This couldn't be more obvious with BC's senior class — Matt Price, Matt Lombardi, Ben Smith and Carl Sneep — who ended their careers with a 25-2 postseason record and two national titles in hand.

Looking back at this year's perfect 8-0 tournament run, the defining moment undoubtedly came from Lombardi, a player who notched only seven goals throughout his entire Eagles career. Yet it was Lombardi who registered a career-high four points, including the game-winner in overtime, in the decisive match to secure their record ninth Hockey East championship. The title was a momentum builder leading to their most recent national crowning.

One of the unique traits about BC's hockey club is that it always rises to the occasion on the big stage. BC rarely has the biggest guys or even the most guys entering the draft, but one thing the team does better than anyone else is outwork and outlast its opponent any day of the week.

Inside the Eagles' locker room this season, there was an inverted pyramid hanging on the wall. At the bottom of that pyramid was the first game, and it expanded to the top with the Frozen Four and national championship game. It was used to measure their progress throughout the season, and their ability to continuously improve their game into the playoffs is what set them apart this year.

York is passionate about the consistency of BC's programs of past, present, and especially future.

"BC has been one of the really bright lights in college hockey since 1920, 1925," York said. "There's probably six schools that could say that through the long history of college hockey, and we're proud to be in that top six. BC's been very consistent for 70 or 80 years of producing top-flight college teams. That consistency is what I like the most about it".

And, with this year's national championship team loaded with freshmen and sophomores, the future continues to look bright.

There's a new national champion in town.

Boston College is the new king of college hockey after overpowering Wisconsin in a 5-0 shutout Saturday night in the NCAA finals. The most explosive offense in the nation combined with sensational goaltending was too much for the Badgers as BC captured their fourth national title.

After seeing two blowout matches in the NCAA semifinal contests, a five-goal difference in the final was not expected. Boston College resided in their own hemisphere with their offense and consistent play of John Muse, who finished the game with 20 saves. Muse dominated Wisconsin and put the game out of reach.

Simply put: the Eagles thrive on the big stage and know how to get it done.

From the initial face-off, both teams hit the ice with a ferocious pace in what was by far the most hard-hitting, fast-paced game of the tournament. With the two best teams in college hockey going head-to-head, Boston College and Wisconsin delivered a grueling showdown.

After a physical first half of the initial period filled with hits, both teams notched only two shots apiece and neither generated much offense. It wasn't until BC's second power play of the period at 12:57 when Ben Smith put the Eagles on the board with time winding down on the man-advantage.

Steve Whitney made a pass along the blue line to Joe Whitney, who made a beautiful shot-fake to find Smith parked in the high slot — turning to fire a low wrister just under the blocker of Wisconsin netminder Scott Gudmanson. Boston College had the momentum and heated up to finish the period in command, outshooting the Badgers' 12-5.

BC goaltender John Muse definitely brought his A-game tonight and showed why he's never lost in the NCAA tournament. His best play of the period came on a sensational save on Michael Davies' one-timer from a cross-ice pass.

Though the second period remained scoreless, the Eagles started with the same furious pace and continued generating high-quality scoring chances. But it was the stellar play of Muse between the pipes that stole the show. With Wisconsin's offense heating up, outshooting BC 9-6 through the entire frame, Muse continued to come up big.

Davies had another golden opportunity for the Badgers when he knocked a pass down from mid-air to break-in on Muse. The BC goaltender stood his ground to shut the door and hold the Eagles' lead 1-0 after 40 minutes of play.

BC showed why they have some of the fastest forwards in the nation when Cam Atkinson gave the Eagles a 2-0 lead less than two minutes into the third. His lightning speed burned two Badgers defensemen when he skated the puck the length of the ice and snuck a backhander in between the pads of Gudmanson.

Chris Kreider would keep it coming just two minutes later when BC executed a text book breakout. With a series of tape-to-tape passing, Jimmy Hayes found Kreider on the doorstep where he converted for a one-timer.

Wisconsin didn't seem to learn their lesson on the first powerplay goal they let up earlier in the game. At 7:20, Atkinson's speed was unstoppable again for the Badgers when he blew past two defensemen to score a low backhander on the man-advantage. Brian Gibbons and Joe Whitney made the breakout passes to start the play.

BC would effectively secure the game when Matt Price added an empty-net insurance goal at 15:29 to make it 5-0 and put the game out of Wisconsin's reach.

Boston College accomplished a remarkable feat by capturing their second title in three years and sustaining a perfect 8-0 postseason record in this year. The poise, depth, and versatility of an experienced squad lead the way Saturday night and allowed national bragging rights to return to Chesnut Hill. 

BC and Wisconsin are ready to tango on Saturday night in Detroit. BC's last title came in 2008, while Wisconsin last won in 2006, trumping BC in the national championship.

After  both teams steamrolled their competition during Thursday night’s Frozen Four semifinal contests — the Badgers beat RIT 8-1 –it is clear that each squad boasts a powerful offense, and when the two meet on Saturday, it will be a battle of the finest and most explosive teams in college hockey.

BC’s experience, depth and versatility are quite possibly even more dangerous than the team that won it all two years ago. BC has been the only team to sustain a perfect 7-0 postseason record and accomplish the remarkable feat of making its fourth Frozen Four appearance in five years.

The Eagles' journey through the course of this season has been a steady climb and they certainly reached the peak of their game when it mattered the most. They have continuously found ways to raise their level of play — especially in the playoffs — and now have just one team standing between them and national glory.

Jerry York’s Eagles appear to be reaping the benefits of rounding out their game towards the end of the season.

"We feel as a staff that our sport is like basketball now," York said. "We’ve become a tournament sport. I don’t know who wins the Pac 10 or the Big East anymore in basketball, but you know who wins the national championship."

With one hurdle left for BC to climb, earning another championship isn’t about to be a stroll in the park.  

The Badgers proved their ability to match the Eagles in nearly every category after their offensive explosion against RIT. They maintained a relentless pace for the entire 60 minutes and offered the Tigers little room to breathe. The team’s offensive depth was made all the more evident by the fact that leading scorer and Hobey Baker finalist Blake Geoffrion didn't record his first point of the game until the Badgers were already up 5-0.

"We talked about [how] one of the strengths of our team is our depth," said Geoffrion. "Once the snowball got moving, it kind of kept building and building. That [makes depth] really one of our strengths."

Adding fuel to Wisconsin's offensive fire is its equally strong defensive play, which was also stellar against RIT. The Badgers held the Tigers to just 13 shots throughout the entire game, and just four in the second frame. Head coach Mike Eaves revolved the game plan around puck possession, which significantly contributed to the minimal shots allowed.

"We focused on our ability to be intelligent with the puck in [RIT’s defensive] end," Eaves said. "By having the puck in their zone and having time in their zone, they don’t have the biscuit, so I think that takes away from them getting as many scoring chances as they hoped to."

With two of the nation’s most dynamic offenses ready to go head-to-head, Saturday’s match could very well boil down to a battle of the men between the pipes. Whichever goaltender has the hotter game could be the determining factor. BC’s John Muse continued his consistency by turning away all but one of the 17 shots he faced on Thursday night. Muse's 2.54 GAA and .907 save percentage are impressive stats, but Badger Scott Gudmandson boasts an impressive 2.28 GAA and .915 save percentage.

Consistency has been BC’s bread and butter on its journey through the tournament, and it has proven to be an unquestionable formula for success. And if the game plan’s not broken, York doesn’t see the need to fix it. 

After manhandling RIT, the Badgers sent a stern message to college hockey: This team is on a mission to capture its seventh national title.

Wisconsin's John Mitchell sent the message just 1:27 into the opening frame as Justin Schultz wheeled the puck behind the net and found a wide open Cody Goloubef on the point. Goloubef's initial shot was stopped by RIT netminder Jared Dimichiel, but Mitchell was parked in the high slot and buried the rebound.

The Badgers would make it 2-0 at 9:38, when Derek Stepan redirected a Ryan McDonagh slap shot from the point once again.

Penalties were costly for RIT in the second period, and Wisconsin capitalized on three of their five power-play opportunities. Jordy Murray continued Wisconsin's fierce pace, extending the lead to 3-0 just 2:18 into the period. Aaron Bendickson skated the puck down the middle of the ice and sent a soft shot on net through traffic. Dimichiel made the initial stop but lost sight of Murray's rebound.

Wisconsin's next three goals came on the man advantage before the end of the second. Schultz continued the scoring frenzy at 4:26, when he was parked on the doorstep to stuff home his sixth of the season just under the pad of Dimichiel.

Michael Davis found the back of the net at 13:25 on a well executed cross-ice pass from Brendan Smith. The Badgers' final goal of the period came from Hobey Hat Trick finalist Blake Geoffrion, who buried a loose puck in front of the net at 13:24.

RIT was finally able to break the scoring silence with time winding down in the second. Tyler Brenner caught Badgers goaltender Scott Gudmandso sleeping for the first time to slip in his 11th of the year from just outside the crease.

Wisconsin, however, still dominated the period, outscoring the Tigers 3-0 and outshooting them 13-4 overall.

The Badgers would effectively stick the dagger in RIT's coffin by securing two more goals in the third. Andy Bohmbach and Stepan would score the Badgers' seventh and eighth goals of the game and ultimately put the lead out of RIT's reach.

Wisconsin looked sharp for the entire 60 minutes and put forth quite possibly its best effort during this postseason run, proving why it has topped the league and national standings all season. The Badgers' offense and power play came to life, contributing their highest output during the tournament

Though RIT's night didn't go as it hoped, its route to the Frozen Four was part of a historic year for the program and has set the tone for seasons to come. 

Wisconsin will face the winner of the Boston College-Miami matchup on Saturday at 7 p.m.

The high-flying Tigers have surged onto the scene this year after only five years as a Division I program, and they are ready to keep the surprises coming when they hit Ford Field for the Frozen Four in Detroit.

After a season of hard work, perseverance and grueling tests, the top four teams in the country are set to battle for the coveted national title. Two wins is all it will take for the next champion to be crowned. It’s anyone’s game now, and this year, it could be RIT's.

RIT continues to shock the college hockey world by earning its way into this final week of play. Tigers head coach Wayne Wilson says much of the reason his team is riding a perfect 6-0 postseason record and a 12-game winning streak — in which it has outscored opponents 53-16 — is simply because nobody expected the Tigers to make it this far. They haven’t been burdened by the same pressures that accompany the teams expected to win; they’re just playing the game.

“The expectations of winning it all aren’t there, [and] I haven’t felt — and the players haven’t felt — any pressure at all,” said Wilson. “I can honestly say that we are just enjoying this and we’re just looking forward to the next game. It’s been a really fun experience and a very unique experience because I don’t think a lot of teams would be reacting this way. It’s been a very mature and workmanlike approach.”

The Tigers should not be taken lightly by any opponent. Momentum is on their side after not only earning their program’s highest national ranking of No. 9, but also after eliminating two of the most feared teams in the league, taking down Denver 2-1 and then Hockey East powerhouse UNH 6-2 in the Eastern regional finals.

Wisconsin is trying to ignore the distractions surrounding the tournament’s Cinderella story. Badgers head coach Mike Eaves is focused on sticking to the same disciplined style that’s brought them success all season.

“The biggest thing is to just play," Eaves said. "There’s no need to think too much. We know our systems, we know what we need to do as a group of people, and we just go and play and if you do that, then you give yourself the best chance to be successful.”

Wisconsin returns to the Frozen Four for the first time since 2006, the same year it captured its last title. The Badgers' emergence back onto the final scene has largely been due to the experience of a veteran squad and the breakout season of Blake Geoffrion.

Geoffrion decided to forgo an early entrance into the pros, which looks to be a rewarding move, as he stands to become the first Badger to win the Hobey Baker award as well as guide his team to a seventh national title. This Hobey hat trick finalist carried the team on his back with 11 points in six postseason games, and his 27 goals lead the Badgers and are second in the nation overall.

Eaves couldn’t be happier for his top gun as he prepares to make the eventual leap to the NHL — but he's glad it happened later rather than sooner.

“I think he’s got a lot better road to the NHL this year because he came back and has got this huge reservoir of confidence right now," Eaves said. "All those things, he’s got in spades now."

Wisconsin will rely on his leadership when it faces RIT because extending its season one more game won’t be easy. The Badgers plan to stick with the same game plan that has worked for them up to this point, which is to lead a simplistic, well-balanced attack.

“It’s still about us doing the things we want to do and playing to our strengths," Eaves said. "The emphasis will be on what we need to do."

The Tigers face a different challenge: not letting the excitement of their remarkable season go to their heads.

“We know this is nice, but we’ve got to make sure we’re ready and not think we’re better than what we are, because we’re not," Wilson said. "We’ll be as good as our effort and we can challenge, but if we start thinking we’re real good, we’ll become a very average team quickly."

As a team that has had its championship dream thwarted by a Boston-based hockey club for the past four years, the RedHawks have one thing on their minds: to finally turn the tables and prevail over Boston College. But with the Eagles looking awfully similar to the national championship powerhouse that captured the title just two years ago,  you can be sure they’ll have something to say about it, too.

This year’s battle between two of the nation’s best will possibly be even more competitive than past semifinal games, as both look to avenge disappointing finishes to last season. Though both teams possess mirror-image matchups in depth, versatility and consistency, they play very different styles of hockey.

The Eagles like to play a quick transition game and generate a lot of offense from solid defense. With some of the quickest and most skilled forwards in the country, they can bury a handful of goals in the blink of an eye. Though the RedHawks can adapt and match any style of play thrown at them, they prefer a more traditional game revolving around puck possession. When the two collide on Thursday, you can be sure it will be a back-and-forth, down-to-the wire contest.

Miami head coach Enrico Blasi remembers only too well a fierce BC team that, in 2008, eliminated his team from the regional final before eventually capturing the national title.

“From what I remember of that game, it was pretty back and forth — great goaltending by [John] Muse, and a heck of a team that went on to win the national championship for Boston College," Blasi said. "Those are all experiences that we’ll remember and lean on."

Miami power forward and junior captain Tommy Wingels also hasn’t forgotten last year’s disappointment. He has used the experience to fuel his RedHawks to do anything necessary to return to the Frozen Four this season.

“You end the last season with a bit of a disappointment, but you gain so much out of getting to the Frozen Four,” Wingels said. “We looked each other in the eyes and said that this was the most fun we’ve had in our lives — getting here with the guys that we love. We said that we’ve got to keep this feeling in our heads and get back to this event again. You can scream or pout about it, or you can start working again. We took the second approach."

You can be sure the Eagles will be well-prepared for the battle awaiting them when they take on the RedHawks. Although they have ended Miami’s NCAA run on three consecutive occasions, the RedHawks’ emergence as one of the nation’s best has been especially evident over the last two years. As Eagles head coach Jerry York prepares another championship-caliber Eagles squad in search of its fourth title, he knows BC will be up against a soaring RedHawks club.

“The Miami team was within a heartbeat of winning it last year, but more importantly, to rebound and come back like that is just a remarkable story for them," York said. "I thought that they had an outstanding team. They’ve replaced some of the players, but they still have the same type of team: great puck possession and outstanding goaltenders”.

A lot of things can change in two years. Miami has inched its way closer to a national title every year and has especially been able to close the gap with BC in recent attempts. After being shut out in the matchups between the two in 2006 and 2007, the 2008 game became a tight overtime tilt, which the Eagles stole 4-3.

With a core group of players still remaining on both rosters, this year presents a new chapter in a new story.

“We’re focused on what BC is today," Blasi said. "And I can tell you that they’re really quick and fast and offensively explosive, and we’re going to have to be at our best to give them a good game. That’s what we’re going to focus on all week”.

The Badgers are led by a pair of Hobey Baker finalists in Blake Geoffrion and Brendan Smith. Recently, Geoffrion has also been named a Hobey hat trick candidate and the Most Outstanding Player of the Western Region, padding his individual award accomplishments. He leads the country in power-play goals and is ready to lead his team to the NCAA championship as Wisconsin embarks on its 11th Frozen Four appearance.

Geoffrion, one of three senior captains, is crucial to the Badgers'
offense. He’s described as one of college hockey’s most complete
players, with 27 goals, 14 of which came on the man advantage. He also thrives in
clutch situations for his team, particularly in the playoffs. In six
postseason games, he has earned 11 points, including two game-winning
goals and two power-play goals.

Though Wisconsin returns to the Frozen Four for the first time since 2006 — when it beat Boston College to capture its last title — it is certainly no stranger to the NCAA scene. The Badgers' road to the tournament began when they slipped by Vermont 3-2 in the regional semifinals before eliminating St. Cloud State 5-3 in the regional finals.

Even though the Badgers have no firsthand experience against their opponent, head coach Mike Eaves knows exactly what has made his team successful all season and what it will need to continue doing in the coming week.

“We need to win the foot races and battles along the boards," Eaves said. "With our ability to play strong, we need to show it in front of the net. Our special teams will need to be ready to go, including utilizing our TWIG theory: just taking what’s given to us on the power play."

Wisconsin is known to play a hard-nosed, physical, in-your-face style of hockey. As long as the Babdgers can maintain a disciplined game and keep penalties to a minimum, they pose a brutally tough challenge to any opponent.

"The base of our pyramid is to play hard," Eaves said. "You have to give yourself a chance to win when you play hard and play physical. Playing hard is part of what you have to do in this game to win. As I said, we don't want to take penalties but we want to be on that edge."

For much of the season, the Badgers' offense has been primarily dominated by four scorers. Both Michael Davies and Derek Stepan have hit over 50 points, while Geoffrion and Smith have combined for 95 points.

Eaves  knows how crucial it will be for his senior leaders to bring their A-game in order for the Badgers' success to continue.

"In [the postseason], they played the way they are capable of," Eaves said. "If you're going to win these types of games, your best players have to be your best players. They were that for us throughout the playoffs and will need to continue to be next week."

If you’re lucky enough to be a part of one of the teams still standing, you’ve endured an intense, grueling battle. Given the caliber of NCAA hockey every year, clinching one of four final spots is no easy task. When the teams hit Ford Field in Detroit on April 8, not only will we get to see the finest teams in college hockey compete for the national title, the tournament will also be played on an indoor football field for the first time ever.

Redemption looms in the minds of Miami as it returns to the Frozen Four after suffering a heartbreaking loss to Boston University in last year’s championship. The RedHawks allowed a two-goal advantage slip through their hands within the last minute of play as the Terriers clinched the national title, sending Miami home empty-handed. With a new season and a new life, its quest for the title is well underway.

Though Miami’s road to the NCAA’s wasn’t an easy one, their arrival in the Frozen Four is no surprise. A veteran squad finds itself in familiar territory after snapping a five-game winless playoff streak against Michigan, winning the Midwest region with a 2-1 double-overtime victory. Sophomore goaltender Connor Knapp submitted the performance of his career, making a career-high 55 saves in the effort.

The RedHawks' success is no fluke. With a 27-7-7 overall record, they’ve led the CCHA and national rankings all year. They have played with additional purpose this season, as they not only attempt to avenge last year’s NCAA heartbreak, but also play in honor of longtime team manager Brendan Burke, who lost his life earlier this year in a car accident. The experience helped the players form an unbreakable “brotherhood" — the team nickname they now use — and redefined Miami's mission by channeling focus and efforts onto the ice.

 Miami possesses everything necessary for a championship contender. The RedHawks' highly physical style of play, combined with depth in every position, is only a fraction of the weapons that they have at their disposal. With a versatile offense comprised of some of the most skilled forwards in the country, plus an outstanding defense with the ability to jump into the play on a dime, and the luxury of having two No. 1 goaltenders, they are lethal against any opponent. When they play a disciplined, physical game, they’ve even been described by opponents as a nearly flawless hockey club.

Topping the list of key players to watch are Hobey Baker finalist and CCHA player of the year, goaltender Cody Reichard, who has a record of 18-4-3, a 1.79 GAA and a .924 save percentage. Three RedHawks power forwards have hit 40 points or more, with Jarod Palmer’s 18 goals and 27 assists atop the list. Vincent LoVerd’s three goals and 11 assists lead the blue line in scoring.

Miami is commandeered by NCAA Coach of the Year Enrico Blasi. In his 11th season behind the bench, he has compiled a 210-151-33 overall record and is 151-102-27 in the CCHA. The one item he’s still hoping to add to his resume is a national title. He and the Redhawks will get a chance to move one step closer on Thursday night at 8:30 p.m.

"It is our goal to win a national title," Blasi said. "We have the support of our institution and the community, and we feel like the future of Miami hockey has never been brighter."

After falling just short in last season’s decisive match to Boston University, Miami is hoping the experience from their first trial will work in their favor the second time around — something that seemed to work for the RedHawks' opponent, which finally captured the championship in its third consecutive attempt.

“It feels like 10 years ago, but it’s hard to believe a year has gone by," Blasi said. "We’re excited. I think if you walk by our locker room, you can tell. We’ll get a couple days rest and then start preparing for Boston College. I keep saying everything happens for a reason.”

Blasi knows that his team’s top ranking reflects the trials, hard work, and perseverance his team has exhibited this season.

“We’re obviously very excited to be the No. 1 seed overall,” Blasi said. "It’s a credit to the team and what they did this season. I'm proud of our team; I thought they had a terrific run this last month or more. Everybody left everything they had on the ice. It could have gone in for us and it didn't.”

Only five years after making the transition to Division I, the Tigers have accomplished a remarkable feat to claw their way into this final week of hockey and have shocked a lot of skeptics along the way.

Pulling off two major upsets against national powerhouses en route to their first Frozen Four appearance is just the tip of the iceberg for the Tigers’ journey this season. But simply making the tournament isn’t enough for this tenacious squad — they’re in it to win it.

The Tigers have undoubtedly exceeded expectations this season. They’re the hottest team in the nation, sporting a 12-game winning streak. They had to rewrite the program’s record book after earning their highest national ranking (currently No. 9), earning the most wins ever in a season (26), earning their first NCAA tournament victories and reaching their first Frozen Four.

Though still new to the D-I world, the Tigers have played with the same poise, discipline and composure demonstrated by their more experienced counterparts like Wisconsin or BC. In their East regional final match with Denver, they pulled off the biggest upset in their program’s history in a close 2-1 contest. They went on to pound UNH in the final 6-2 by exploding with three goals in a 94 second span to send the Wildcats packing.

Senior captain Dan Ringwald says his team has been able to get this far by focusing on one task at a time and taking it game by game. By concentrating on their collective team agenda, they’ve been able to tune out the critics who say they shouldn’t be where they are right now.

“One thing I can tell you is that the 30 guys in our dressing room definitely believed it," said Ringwald. “We expected to win and we still expect to win. A lot of the outsiders didn’t give us a chance, but we just take that in stride, accept it for what it is and still go out there and approach it the same way.”

One of the keys to RIT’s success this season is in net with Jared DeMichiel. He’s been crucial all season and especially during their postseason run. He had the game of his life against Denver by tying a career high with 39 saves and setting another RIT hockey record for most career wins after earning his 40th. After only seeing action in 20 games last season, he’s had a breakout year to backbone the Tigers to their best record as a D-I club with a 28-11-1 overall record.

Both the Tigers offense and defense have been fine-tuned throughout the season and are peaking at just the right time. They’ve allowed their opponents only 14 goals in their last 11 games and have outscored the competition 47-14. Cameron Burt has had the hot hand and will be the player to watch. His 47 points lead the team in scoring. 

Head coach Wayne Wilson, who’s been named a finalist for NCAA coach of the year, couldn’t be happier and is not the least bit surprised with the progress his team has made in such a short time.

“To win the AHA Tournament and get to the NCAA Tournament is a culmination of all the players that have come before all the way back in the Division III days,” said Wilson. “RIT has a great hockey tradition and this is another step in that tradition.”

RIT continues a remarkable run during the second half of the season with an 18-3-0 record since Jan. 8 — the team is 12-1-0 since Feb. 1. Their 12 straight wins are also a new team record.

“This is an accumulation of a lot of hard work from a lot of different players, said Wilson. "We’ve set a bar of excellence. It’s a little unbelievable, just the calmness of the players and the way they go about their work. It’s great to be an AHA representative and the first in the Frozen Four.”

RIT is now 6-0 in this season’s postseason run and has outscored its opponents 26-8.

The Tigers will face No. 2 Wisconsin on April 8 in the first matchup of the Frozen Four doubleheader at Ford Field in Detroit.

With a 6-0 undefeated postseason run, the Eagles look to be in fine shape to bring their second national title in three years back to Boston. With an endless list of reasons why this powerhouse has gotten as far as they have, such as running a virtually unstoppable offense and possessing depth and versatility at every position, the qualities that have even further set this team apart this season are those of character and experience.

This year when Jerry York turns his head to look down his bench, the long line of leaders staring him back in the face is a unique trait that very few teams can match. Starting with his trio of senior captains Matt Price, Matt Lombardi, and Ben Smith, the character and experience of this Eagles squad alone has been a huge contribution to their success.

As they said themselves, the preparation for this season began well before their normal preseason routines. It began last March the second they were eliminated from the 2008-2009 Hockey East playoffs. Boston College is a team accustomed to having their season extend to April and after failing to advance for the first time in four years last season, they're not about to fall short this time. With four seniors on the roster, and their last title coming in 2008, their experience should set the bar come next week.

Boston College is a class-A team all around beginning with their fearless leader, who's currently the second-winningest coach in NCAA hockey, and filtering down the roster.

When the Eagles' top scoring line of Cam Atkinson, Brian Gibbons, and Joe Whitney, who produced 84 points this season, went surprisingly silent at the beginning of the playoffs, it was the senior leadership of Lombardi that carried the team. After registering only seven goals throughout his entire four-year BC career, he netted a career-high four points including his first career hat-trick and game-winner in overtime of the decisive match to give the Eagles their record ninth Hockey East title in a performance that earned tournament MVP honors.

A team's top leader will always find a way to rise to the occasion when the game is on the line.

"Lombardi is a remarkable player to coach," York said. "He is the hardest worker on the team both on the ice and in the weight room. His leadership and value to the team is demonstrated every single day."

BC will be making their ninth visit to the Frozen Four in the last thirteen years. They displayed their versatility by winning a tight 3-1 match with Alaska and then prevailing in a 9-7 scoring battle with Yale in their Northeast Regional playoffs.

As the saying goes, if it's not broken, don't fix it. York and his Eagles will do just that and continue using the same game plan that has gotten them this far, which is to create offense from good solid defense. This recipe will continue revolving around the consistency of netminder John Muse.

"We want to run a balanced attack, fifty percent defense and fifty percent offense," York said. "We'll continue relying on [Muse's] mental toughness. He's shown excellent poise which is evident of his championship level of play and hasn’t gotten rattled." 

York will look to continue raising the bar for his team throughout his run with the Eagles. He enters next week with three national titles under his belt. In his 17 tournament appearances, he's earned 30 wins, the highest win total of any coach in Division I history.

While he may boast an extensive resume, he keeps his team's message simple.

"Embrace the moment when we get there and enjoy it."

Saturday's first round of the Northeast Regional in Worcester, Mass., will mark the first contest in BC's 87-year program history against Alaska-Fairbanks. The Eagles are making their 29th NCAA appearance and their 11th in the last 13 years. The Nanooks will be making their NCAA debut after earning an at-large berth as a No. 4 seed.

After earning their record ninth Hockey East title in a thrilling 7-6 overtime win against Maine this past weekend, the Eagles are ready for their next challenge. They've earned the top seed in their regional and will look to continue building on this year's perfect 4-0 postseason run.

They currently possess one of the most explosive offenses in college hockey and have depth few teams can match. Coach Jerry York has been confident using all of his lines and plans to stick with the same game plan going forward.

"We've played four lines on a regular basis and, for the most part, six defensemen on a regular basis and even two goaltenders," he said. "We have good depth, so now it's time to play some hockey and see who will advance here.”

Senior Matt Lombardi erupted for the Eagles last weekend, recording a career-high four points (3 goals, 1 assist) in the title match to earn tournament MVP honors. BC's offense exploded for 21 goals in four Hockey East tournament games, with six different players notching at least four points.

Throughout the season, the Eagles have become more of a well-rounded team with their emergence as a defensive threat to compliment their offensive firepower. The defense will need to continue its solid play if BC is to advance.

"We were very sharp defensively in the Friday night game against Vermont," York said. "[Goaltender] John Muse played exceptionally and our team was really crisp in a lot of different areas, and that led us to the championship game."

Muse finished the tournament with 72 saves, a 2.87 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage in his three games to help the Eagles claim the league championship.

Though neither team has had the chance to face the other, York is highly respectful of the Nanooks' ability and emergence in the CCHA, and continues to take nothing for granted.

"Their goaltender [Scott Greenham] and team defense seem to be the strength of the club," he said. "I think they've finished fourth and fifth in successive years. They have been a force there in a conference with Miami, Michigan State, Ohio State and Notre Dame, so they are well-respected on our behalf."

Like any good coach, York realizes his team is only as good as its last game. Entering this weekend on the heels of a Hockey East title is a definite momentum builder, but the NCAAs present a whole new season.

"The key is that it doesn't really matter how you played last week or the week before that," York said. "It's the team that plays the best hockey who will advance. We feel that we have a pretty good momentum swing now, but it’s who plays the best hockey this Saturday."

The winner of the BC-Alaska game will advance to the regional finals on Sunday to compete against the winner of the North Dakota-Yale game for a berth in the 2010 Frozen Four at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.

Vermont enters the tournament after completing one of the biggest upsets in Hockey East playoff history, when they became just the fourth No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed, defeating the UNH Wildcats in the quarterfinals. They earned their NCAA berth after going 6-1 against non-conference teams this season and beating five of the 16 teams who qualified for the tournament.

Vermont coach Kevin Sneddon couldn't be happier to have his team enter the tournament mix. The road to the tournament certainly isn't an easy one, but his team is looking forward to the challenge.

"Giving our seniors an opportunity to put that jersey over their head again, I think it's a special time up here," Sneddon said. "It's all based on numbers and strength of schedule and who you played, who you beat, who your opponents played and who they beat, and it’s a formula that we all know going into each season."

Although Vermont prevailed in the UNH series, its main focus will be producing more offense against a powerful Badgers team. The Catamounts were held to just two goals in the final two games with the Wildcats, and they know they'll need to put more goals up on the board.

"No question we got a challenge in front of us, because Wisconsin can certainly score goals, and they can defend really well," Sneddon said. "So, we're going to have to find a way to keep our solid defense going and be even better than we were against BC. At the same time, we need to generate more offense."

The Catamounts are hoping their scoring line of Colin Vock–Brayden Irwin–Sebastian Stalberg can continue leading the team, as they have combined for 32 goals, 48 assists, and 80 points this season. Sneddon also attributes the leadership of senior Jay Anctil for his team being at the top of its game.

"Jay's a special young man," said Sneddon. "Obviously he's had some tough injuries through the course of his career here at the University of Vermont. He's been playing excellent for us. I thought he was really, really good, played really solid in the UNH series. Obviously, he had two huge goals for us in that weekend."

The Catmounts will not only need their key contributors, but also a collective team effort to compete with one of the toughest teams in the country. They are 3-5 all-time in the NCAA men's hockey tournament and 1-2 all time against Wisconsin. The last meeting between the two schools came in 1996 in the Badger Showdown, with the Catamounts picking up a 5-2 win.

The key for the Catamounts will be in their ability get on the board first with Wisconsin. They are 14-6-4 when scoring the opening goal this season and 65-20-17 in their last 102 games when striking first.

The victor will advance to face the winner of the St. Cloud State-Northern Michigan matchup in the West Regional championship game on Saturday.

When the Wildcats face second-seeded Cornell in the first round of the East Regional at Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y., they will try to do just that — take the new opportunity they’ve been given and run with it.

Coach Dick Umile said they’ve put the past behind them. They’re revamped, refocused and eager to start up again. Their NCAA appearance will mark a new beginning and new opportunity for their team.

“We were obviously disappointed," Umile said. "It’s a new life and a new season. The guys are real excited and the attitude is very good and the guys are looking forward to playing. We are excited to be in the tournament. It’s always special."

Friday’s matchup will mark the third time that UNH and Cornell have faced off in the NCAAs, with UNH owning a 2-0 advantage. It will be their second meeting of the year. The Big Red dominated in a 5-2 win at UNH earlier this season and hold a slim 12-11 all-time edge. The Wildcats currently have the second-longest active NCAA appearance streak in Division I, as they've reached the big dance in nine straight seasons. They'll be making their 20th tournament appearance overall, 16 of which have come under Umile’s guidance.

UNH is led by Hobey Baker finalist Bobby Butler. The senior co-captain's 50 points (27 goals, 23 assists) rank second in Hockey East. His leadership on and off the ice plays a huge role in the Wildcats' success.

“He is a special kid who loves the game and has a great passion for it," Umile said. "He is a threat the whole time he is out on the ice. He is a very smart hockey player. He plays at both ends, he is always moving and he can play physical."

Though the Wildcats failed to advance to the semifinals in this year’s conference tournament, they’ve worked to correct some of their inconsistencies, starting with team defense, in hopes of generating a better NCAA run.

“It’s all going to come from good defense," Umile said. "That’s our goal. We have to play well defensively ourselves. [Cornell likes] to cycle when they get you in the zone, play along the boards and get to the net. You have to be committed to hard work."

The Big Red advanced to the NCAA tournament after winning the ECAC title with a 3-0 shutout of Union to earn the automatic bid.

UNH is eager to hit the ice Friday night and will face a team whose style it's familiar with. There shouldn’t be any surprises this weekend.

“They’re a typical Cornell team," Umile said. "They are tough to play against. They defy you to get to the net and they have an All-American candidate with [Ben] Scrivens in the net. It’s a challenge for us, but we're excited, we're fairly close to home playing in Albany and we're looking forward to it.”

The winner will advance to face the winner of the Denver-RIT game in the regional final on Saturday.

Matt Lombardi’s hat trick and game-winning goal lifted the Eagles to a thrilling 7-6 overtime win.

In a penalty-filled, intense physical matchup, the entire game mimicked a seesaw scoring pattern beginning in the first period. Nearly every time BC scored, Maine was on their heels to respond for a quick goal.

Carl Sneep grabbed the first goal of the game for BC on the powerplay when he ripped a laser slap shot from the right point just under the crossbar. The Eagles showed good puck movement on the man-advantage with Pat Mullane and Jimmy Hayes helping set up the play.

Before BC could even finish celebrating, the dangerous Gustav Nyquist came back 24 seconds later at 12:08 to even the score at one. He saw an opening and took the puck hard to net to slip a bouncing puck up and over the glove of BC netminder John Muse.

The last two goals of the period were scored with less than five minutes remaining in the first. Lombardi regained the Eagles' lead at 15:19 starting with a great breakout in BC’s defensive end. Chris Kreider skated the length of the ice and managed to split Maine’s defense where Lombardi picked up the loose puck to sneak it past Maine goalie Dave Wilson.

Just when BC thought they could enjoy the lead, Maine answered again for a quick goal 36 seconds later from Joey Diamond. After having his first shot blocked by a BC defenseman, he remained persistent and scored on his second try at 15:55. The period finished with the Eagles doubling the Black Bears in shots 16-8.

Despite Maine outshooting BC 16-5 throughout the second period, the Eagle’s offense hit the ice flying to score two consecutive goals within the first five minutes of the period. 

Joe Whitney gave the Eagles their third lead of the game at 1:39. His slap shot from the point found the back of the net through a lot of traffic. Wilson was screened on the play, making it nearly impossible to see. 

BC would add to their lead just four minutes later at 5:35 when Lombardi scored his second goal of the game to made it 4-2. Matt Price’s initial shot from the far right slot took an awkward bounce off the back boards and found Lombardi who was parked on the other side of the net. He capitalized while Wilson was caught out of position.

BC’s penalties caught up to them before the end of the period, however. Maine cut the lead at 15:04 on the powerplay when Nyquist set up Tanner House in the slot for a one-time to beat Muse along the ice and bring his team within one to start the third period.

BC would be the first to strike in the third. Hayes scored at 5:16 on a tricky spin move from behind the net.

The Black Bears capitalized on another powerplay opportunity shortly after at 8:17. David deKastrozza buried a high one-timer when the Eagles' defense failed to clear the puck.

BC’s Barry Almeida connected with Lombardi and Brian Gibbons at 14:23 to reclaim another two goal lead for the Eagles.

Just like clockwork, Maine refused to give up.  On a clean faceoff in BC’s offensive zone, Spencer Abbott cut the Eagle’s lead to one again at 14:59 with the assist from Robby Dee.

With just 30 seconds remaining in the game, the Black Bears tied it up at 19:33 after pulling Wilson for the extra skater. Diamond fired his second goal of the night off of a faceoff to send the game into overtime.

Lombardi was the hero in overtime when he netted his third goal of the night at 5:26 to send TD Garden to their feet. Price and Brian Dumoulin worked a cycle down low to find Lombardi parked just outside the crease.

With the win, the Eagles maintained a perfect postseason run with a 4-0 record. Maine refused to quit and earned a well deserved runner-up finish. Wilson finished with a game high 34 saves as the Eagles nudged the Black Bears in shots 34-32.

BC will look to continue their season in the upcoming NCAA tournament.

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Maine advances to the final after eliminating defending champion Boston University in a hard-fought contest Friday night in the semifinals. The Black Bears played a high-intensity, physical game. They gave themselves a three-goal lead and survived a late Terrier surge to hang on for the win and ended up out-shooting BU 37-24.

Coach Tim Whitehead is extremely pleased with the performance and continues to take it one game at a time.

"We're really pleased to extend our season at least one more day and take on BC here in Boston," said Whitehead. "It's going to be a great challenge that we're really excited about."

Maine goaltender Dave Wilson, who's 22-save performance also fell on his 25th birthday Friday night, couldn't have asked for a better present than having his team advance. His solid play in net has been a huge reason Maine has gotten this far in the playoffs.

"The one thing about Dave is he really persevered and I'm so proud of his ability to focus when we needed him the more," said Whitehead. "Every game was an elimination game for him. You never really know when guys are going to rise up like that which he certainly has this postseason."

With Friday night's win, Maine clinched just their fifth victory vs. BU in the postseason. It also marks their 13th championship appearance with their last title coming in 2004 when they topped BU 1-0. The last time they faced BC in the postseason was in 2006 when the Eagles eliminated them in the semis 4-1. Their overall tournament record is 46-24-0.

Boston College enters the final as the only team still undefeated in this year's postseason run. After sweeping UMass in the quarters and shutting out Vermont Friday night 3-0, they will look to keep the ball rolling against Maine and try to build on their perfect 3-0 record.

The Eagles also set the tone of their game Friday night from the puck drop to the final buzzer. Jimmy Hayes and John Muse stepped up to lead their team to victory. Hayes noticed three points, one goal and two assists, while Muse took care of business in net with 30 saves.

Coach Jerry York credits Muse for giving them the turning point in Friday night's match to send them onto the finals.

"I thought John's play was superb from start to the finish of the game, said York. "The real turning point was Muse’s save on the breakaway in the second to keep it 1-0. It allowed us to go ahead with the late goal to send us into the locker room with a two-goal lead."

Boston College will also be making their thirteenth championship appearance with an 8-5 all-time record in the finals. They own a record eight Hockey East titles with their last coming in 2008 in a 4-0 shutout against Vermont. Their overall record is 47-23-2.

In addition to having solid defense beginning with Muse in net, Boston College hopes to get a spread of scorers from their offense.

"Our goal is to have a mix of players step up for us," said York. "We can't have one or two lines win a championship for us. We created four solid lines, they are all have a unique personality that will all need to contribute to our team."

However, Maine set the tone early on showing they weren't intimidated by defending champion Boston University as they hung on for a 5-2 win Friday night.

Maine came out hard for a physical, hard-hitting first period, and sent the Terriers a message by outshooting them 18-5. Their hard work paid off midway through the first at 14:14 when Joey Diamond got the Black Bears on the board off a tricky move to beat Kieran Millan. Diamond weaved through BU's defense and tucked in his seventh of the year on a low shot along the ice. Adam Shemansky and Matt Mangene picked up assists on the play.

David Warsofsky gave the Terriers their best chance of the period after picking up a loose puck along Maine's blue line and bursting down the right side of the ice for a quick wrist shot, that was blocked by Dave Wilson's blocker.  

With just under two minutes remaining in the period, BU's penalties continued to be a factor when Brian Flynn capitalized on the power play at 18:46 with a shot from the point to put Maine up by two. Heavy traffic in front of the net didn't allow Millan much of a chance to even see it. 

BU tried to find their stride in the second, playing better defense and creating more scoring chances. They still couldn't break their offensive silence however, despite tying the Black Bears with seven shots apiece.

After Parker called a time out to help his team regroup, the Terriers' best chances of the period came from Nick Bonino and Chris Connolly. Bonino was left alone in front for a quick shot while Connolly struck iron after being set up from Kevin Shattenkirk’s saucer pass from the far right side. BU even had a 5-on-3 at one point in the period, but Wilson continued to stand his ground.

Maine continued their strong offensive play when Robby Dee gave the Black Bears a 3-0 lead at 7:00 in the second. After taking a pass from Mark Nemeo, Dee managed to split BU's defense and rip his 13th of the year, top shelf on Millan.

BU caught a huge break midway through the second at 9:17 when Gustav Nyquist's deflection from the point was called back by the refs for a high stick.

The Terriers wouldn't give up their title without a fight. Early in the third, Shattenkirk buried a rebound to bring BU back to life. Bonino had the initial shot when he walked the puck out front after a low cycle. Vinny Saponari also picked up an assist on the play. 

The toughest call of the game came with 3:47 remaining when there was a 10-minute goal review on a BU scramble in front of the net. After a long consultation between the refs, Saponari was finally credited with the Terriers' second goal of the game to cut Maine's lead to one. Shattenkirk and Bonino picked up the assists.

Maine crushed the Terriers' hopes for a comeback when less two minutes later David deKastrozza ripped a bullet slapshot just under the crossbar when he took a pass from Josh Van Dyk and Flynn at 17:56. Tanner House would officially end BU's chance when he added an empty-netter just 20 seconds later at 18:08.

Maine will move on to the Hockey East Championship Saturday night where they will face Boston College at 7 p.m.

Jimmy Hayes' three-point effort and John Muse's 30 saves led the Eagles to a 3-0 shutout, sending them on to the championship match where they will look to add to their record eight conference titles.

Both teams hit the ice hard for a fast-paced first period. A hungry Eagles offense put on a shooting frenzy to start the game and luckily for UVM, goalie Rob Madore (33 saves) was sensational for Vermont between the pipes as he made huge saves to keep his team above water.

Madore was put to the test when Cam Atkinson and Carl Sneep gave the Eagles two of their best scoring chances early in the period. Atkinson nearly tucked one in on the left side of the net after being hauled down to just one knee outside the crease while Sneep nearly slipped one through the five-hole after breaking down the far right side of the ice uncontested.

Chris Kreider was finally able to get one past Madore with just under five minutes remaining in the first when Hayes' blocked shot found his stick in the high right slot. He sent in a high wrister to beat Madore on his glove side with Sneep earning the second assist on the play. Both teams played a clean period with neither recording a penalty while BC outshot Vermont 15-8 after 20 minutes of play.

Vermont’s offense finally came to life in the second as they put up nearly as many shots as the Eagles with 13 to BC's 16. The Catamounts created more scoring chances on their two power-play opportunities, but still couldn't find a solution to get one past Muse. 

Ben Smith nearly increased the Eagles lead after his penalty expired at 11:23 when he slipped in behind the Catamount defense unnoticed to break in for a quick shot but Madore was there to shut the door again. Colin Vock gave Vermont their best chance of the period while shorthanded when BC's defense gave up a loose puck on the blue line. He went in on a breakaway and tried to go five-hole on Muse, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

With just eight seconds remaining in the second, Smith crashed the net hard to bury a Phillip Samuelsson rebound at 19:52 and send the Eagles into the locker room with a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes of play. Hayes also picked up his second assist of the night.

BC would add to their lead again less than five minutes into the third. The Eagles executed a perfect breakout and took advantage of a 2-on-1 opportunity. Pat Mullane's initial shot just missed the side of the net but Hayes was parked in front to bury the rebound. Kreider picked up his second point of the game with the other assist.

Despite outshooting BC 9-2 for the remainder of the period, the Catamounts offense couldn't find an answer for Muse as his sensational performance between the iron was too much for Vermont to handle.

Although UVM couldn't complete the Cinderella story after knocking off No 1 UNH in the quarterfinals, the Cats put up a good fight in their postseason run. 

Boston College will head into Saturday night's championship game at 7 p.m. where they will face the winner of the Boston University vs. Maine semifinal game.

As BU coach Jack Parker and BC coach Jerry York said, we're seeing the highest caliber of hockey that has existed in the league in years. Anyone who finished in the top four spots faced a stern test to get to the Garden, thanks to the high quality of the conference. The teams still standing put up one of the most competitive and closely fought races we've seen in a while.

Third-seeded Boston University versus fourth-seeded Maine (18-16-3, 13-12-2 Hockey East ) will be no exception on Friday night. In 12 previous Hockey East tournament matchups, the teams are dead
even with six wins apiece, setting the stage for an intense, physical,
down-to-the-wire contest.

Boston University (18-16-3, 13-12-2 Hockey East) will look to defend its title as it appears in its ninth consecutive semifinal. After a hard-fought, three-game series against Merrimack in the quarters, Parker admits that although his team has enough leadership to set the tone on Friday night, the Terriers' inconsistencies could play an unfortunate deciding factor.

"Our series with Merrimack was certainly an up-and-down affair for us emotionally," Parker said. "Merrimack steamrolled us, and should have won the game by a bigger score. We were Jekyll, Hyde and then Jekyll again, as far as how we played. We know we can’t afford a Mr. Hyde. If we have a no-show type of game again, our season is over."

After taking 18 penalties in the Merrimack series — and after combining with the Warriors for 79 penalty minutes in Game 3 alone — the Terriers will need to stay out of the box against a blistering Maine power play. Not only is the unit leading the nation with a 27.9 percent success rate, it is quarterbacked by one of the best players in college hockey in Gustav Nyquist. His 18 goals, 41 assists and 59 points lead the country, and the Black Bears' power play has now scored at least one goal in 12 of their last 13 games.

Though BU's penalties have been costly in past situations, the Terriers' special teams ironically ended up being a highlight in the Merrimack series, particularly in the deciding game. The penalty kill will need to be in full force again on Friday.

"Our special teams were a catalyst for us," Parker said. "We held the Merrimack power play to 1-for-18, and they were the third-best power play in the nation. We got a couple of big power-play goals in the third game and went 2-for-5 and got the win."

BU's offense will rely on leading scorer Nick Bonino as well as Vinny Saponari, who led in the Terriers' quarterfinal series with seven points. The tandem of Chris Connolly and Colby Cohen, who combined for 61 points this season, will also be looked upon to contribute.

Maine is surging back onto the Garden scene for the first time since 2006 — and according to Parker, the Black Bears are “the most improved team in the league." The Black Bears have rightfully clinched their spot after a grueling come-from-behind series win against UMass Lowell.

Black Bears head coach Tim Whitehead knows his team is thrilled to get back into title contention after falling out of the mix in recent years, and he believes their energy will provide momentum against BU.

“We’re just thrilled to advance in such a dramatic way," Whitehead said. "These guys are excited to be down there [at the Garden], and they are just happy to have extended their season and to be playing in the league Final Four. It is even more special to advance this year after what we’ve fought through. The guys are very excited to make this trip”.

Sophomore Will O'Neil came up big for the Black Bears in Sunday’s decisive game, tallying two goals and an assist. Nyquist and Brian Flynn, however, will again be the players to watch. They have combined for 36 goals, 66 assists and 102 points to lead the Black Bears this season.

When asked what to expect from one another on Friday night, both teams anticipate a highly competitive, tight matchup.

"I expect a hard-fought, well-executed game from Maine," said Parker. "They can skate, they've got one of the best first lines in college hockey, they have the best power play in college hockey and they have great goaltending. That's really made them a terrific team this year."

Though Maine has a lot of respect for BU, it is more than ready for the challenge.

"They’re a strong team and we respect them," Whitehead said. "We know what we're up against. Having said that, it is a great challenge for us, and a great opportunity. No doubt, we certainly respect our opponent, and we know we are up against a real good one.”

Junior captain Tanner House scored 5:10 into overtime to lift the Black Bears to their first Hockey East semifinal berth since 2006.

A scoreless first period didn't necessarily reflect the story of the first period, as the Black Bears took full advantage of their energetic home venue and were all over the River Hawks through the first 20 minutes. But Lowell goaltender Carter Hutton stood on his head to keep the Black Bears off the board. Lowell's defense also came up big, shutting down all four of Maine's power-play opportunities.

Lowell was finally able to refocus and generate some offense in the second. Six minutes in, Colin Wright was set up by Ryan Blair and Nick Schaus to give his team a 1-0 lead.

Taking penalties against Maine, though, is a risk you should be cautious of taking. The No. 1 power play in the nation was able to capitalize less than 10 minutes later when Will O'Neill tallied his seventh of the year on assists from Gustav Nyquist and Brian Flynn. Though Maine was only 1-of-8 in the series on its power play leading into Sunday's match, it has now scored at least one goal on the man advantage in 13 of its last 14 games.

As both teams hit the ice flying in the third, it was Lowell's turn to put its man advantage to the test. When Nyquist was called for tripping, Scott Campbell came up big for the River Hawks on assists from David Vallorani and Riley Wetmore to reclaim a 2-1 lead.

Just as Maine's time was winding down, O'Neill came up big again, burying his second of the game — from Matt Mangene and Nyquist — to tie things up and eventually send the game to overtime.

In the extra period, House's 16th goal of the season blew the roof off of Alfond Arena. Flynn recorded the assist on the play and goalie Dave Wilson finished the game with a sensational 36 saves.

The Black Bears will advance to the TD Garden next weekend, where they will face third-seeded Boston University in one semi. Vermont will face Boston College in the other matchup.

After taking a beating from UNH in a 7-4 loss in Game 1, eighth-seeded Vermont refused to give up during Game 2 of its matchup with New Hampshire on Saturday night at the Whittemore Center. Sunday night was no different.

The Catamounts started Game 3 with the same frenetic pace as they did in the previous night's victory. Though it was a fast-paced, physical contest through the first 20 minutes, neither side was able to get on the board. UVM's offense was sharp and tested the UNH defense and netminder Brian Foster, outshooting the Wildcats 11-8.

Vermont continued to dominate throughout the second, but Foster brought his "A" game. The Catamounts blasted 14 shots to a mere five for UNH, but Foster stood tall. 

The Wildcats goalie continued to do everything imaginable to keep the puck out of the net and stood on his head throughout the third period as well. The Catamounts continued to control the game offensively, though, putting up 16 shots to the Wildcats' nine.

But 15:52 into the extra period, Anctil scored the biggest goal of his career to send the Catamounts bench onto the ice in a heap. With the dramatic victory, UVM will advance to the Hockey East semis where it will face Boston College next Friday at TD Garden.