For the second consecutive year, Boston University and UMass-Lowell will battle it out for Hockey East supremacy.
The fourth-seeded River Hawks (21-11-6) earned a 4-1 win Friday over seventh-seeded Vermont (22-15-4) in their semifinal matchup at TD Garden, and the top-seeded Terriers (24-7-5) followed suit with a 4-1 victory over eighth-seeded New Hampshire (19-19-2) in the nightcap.
BU and UMass-Lowell will face off in Saturday’s championship with plenty on the line. The River Hawks hope to become the first team since Boston College (2010 to 2012) to win three consecutive titles, while the Terriers seek their first championship since 2009.
Puck drop for the title game is set for 7 p.m. at TD Garden. Here’s how Friday’s semifinals went down:
UMass-Lowell 4, Vermont 1
The Catamounts came out firing after upsetting BC in the quarterfinals, as Kevin Irwin scored at the 11:42 mark of the first period to give Vermont the early lead. A pair of penalties cost them that lead, however, when UMass-Lowell’s Michael Kapla scored on a 5-on-3 man-advantage less than a minute later.
The River Hawks broke the deadlock in the second period and never looked back. Forward Michael Louria scored with less than four minutes left in the frame to put his team up 2-1, and winger Terrence Wallin added an insurance goal 8:46 into the third frame. Joe Gambardella added an empty-netter with 1:24 remaining to seal the deal.
BU 4, New Hampshire 1
The Wildcats roared out of the gate, as well, taking an early advantage when forward Tyler Kelleher netted a goal with 5:26 remaining in the first period. The Terriers wasted little time evening the score, though, as forward Cason Hohmann deposited a goal of his own just over three minutes later.
BU extended its lead when Chase Phelps scored midway through the second period. After that, it was all Jack Eichel.
The top collegiate NHL draft prospect slammed home a rebound in front of the net in the third period to put the Terriers up 3-1, then added an empty-netter with 2:27 remaining for his 22nd goal of the season.
Thumbnail photo via Charles Krupa/Associated Press
