For the first time since 2001, Boston University won't be making the crosstown trip to the TD Garden for the Hockey East semifinals. For the first time since 1998, Merrimack will.
BU was ousted from the Hockey East Tournament on Sunday night, falling to Northeastern 5-4 at Agganis Arena in the decisive game of the schools' quarterfinals matchup. The Huskies move on to face Boston College, the defending Hockey East and national champion. The Eagles needed just two games to eliminate UMass, outscoring the Minutemen 8-3.
The other semifinals matchup features Merrimack, whose last appearance in the semifinals was 13 years ago, when it knocked off No. 1 seed BU in the quarterfinals but lost 7-2 to BC at the Garden. The Warriors hope for a better outcome this year as they take on the University of New Hampshire Wildcats.
Merrimack is coming off a convincing 6-2 win over Maine in the quarterfinals on NESN on Saturday night. Merrimack won the season series against New Hampshire with a 2-1-0 record, the most recent win coming in overtime at Lawler Arena.
New Hampshire is fresh off a series win over Vermont, sweeping the series with 3-1 and 4-3 victories.
Below is the schedule for the semifinals, which will air live on NESN and NESN National.
Friday, March 18, 5 p.m.: No. 1 Boston College vs. No. 6 Northeastern
Friday, March 18, 8 p.m.: No. 2 UNH vs. No. 4 Merrimack
The winners will face off for the Hockey East championship on Saturday, March 19, at 7 p.m. The game will be carried on NESNplus throughout New England. Outside of New England, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks will carry it on NESN National while DirecTV and Dish Network will carry the game nationally on NESNplus. Check your NESNplus channel by clicking here.
