Jack Malone scores a third-period goal for BC as the Eagles eliminated Michigan Tech Friday afternoon (photo: Joe Sullivan).
PROVIDENCE, R.I — No one was surprised when Boston College, the top-ranked team in the country, scored a goal in the opening minute of its NCAA regional opener.
What was surprising, however, was how hard BC had to work during the first two periods before pulling away in the third to finally send CCHA champion Michigan Tech packing. The Hockey East champ Eagles wound up cruising to a 6-1 win at Amica Mutual Pavilion to advance to Sunday’s regional final vs. either Quinnipiac or Wisconsin.
“The NCAA tournament is no joke,” said BC’s Ryan Leonard, who scored twice. “The opponent on the other side is always going to try to take you down, beat you and break you down in any way possible. But we know once we stick to our game plan and play the way that we’re supposed to, we know there’s not a team that can stop us.”
Cutter Gauthier’s goal just 36 seconds into the game appeared to set the tone for an easy afternoon for the No. 1 Eagles, but it turned into anything but.
The Huskies got a shorthanded goal from Max Koskipirtti at 12:55 of the first period to tie it 1-1, which is where it stood after one.
Leonard put BC up 2-1 at 6:57 of the second period, but the rout expected by fans and prognosticators alike didn’t come until the third, when goals by Connor Joyce and Oskar Jellvik, another from Leonard and another from Gauthier put the game out of reach.
“With NCAA games, it’s always an incredible battle,” BC coach Greg Brown said. “We obviously had a great start with Cutter scoring early, but from that point on Michigan Tech really came hard.”
Gauthier made his NCAA tournament debut a memorable one when he beat a Michigan Tech defender, caught in stride a pass from Jellvik, and whipped the puck past Husky goalie Blake Pietila (32 saves) for an early 1-0 lead.
“Jelly had a boatload of speed,” Gauthier said. “(He) has eyes on the back of his head. I was calling for the puck, and he made a great spin pass there. I was just trying to get the puck on the ice and make it quick.”
Koskipirtti made it 1-1 when he scooped up the puck behind the red line on a BC power play, skated down the right wing and fired it into the net on the near side of Eagle netminder Jacob Fowler (23 saves).
It was only the second shorthanded goal surrendered by BC all season.
“I thought we stayed above the puck,” Michigan Tech coach Joe Shawhan said. “They’re a tremendous transition team. Their guys like to pull and they like to get behind you. (You) don’t have to give them a whole lot of time.”
Leonard pounded home a rebound of a Jack Malone shot to put BC up 2-1 in the second. Leonard’s shot came as he was simultaneously knocked on his backside by Michigan Tech’s Chase Pietila.
Joyce gave BC the insurance goal it had been seeking all afternoon with his second goal of the season at 4:47 of the third. Once Joyce lit the lamp, the floodgates opened, as the Eagles’ next three goals came in a span of about six and a half minutes.
Ryan Ufko was an impact player this season for UMass (photo: Thom Kendall/UMass Athletics).
Massachusetts junior defenseman Ryan Ufko has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Nashville Predators that will begin in 2024-25.
Ufko, who foregoes the final year of his collegiate eligibility, was originally drafted by Nashville in the fourth round (115th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft.
“Ryan Ufko leaves UMass as one of the all-time great defensemen to come through our program,” said Minutemen coach Greg Carvel in a statement. “He was a tremendous leader this past season, serving as captain of a team that had to earn its way back to the NCAA tournament, and an even better competitor, earning first team all-Hockey East recognition. It was an honor and a complete pleasure coaching Ryan. He is one of the most talented players I have worked with during my time in college hockey and I look forward to watching him play in the NHL.”
“I’m very grateful and excited about this opportunity and next step in my career,” added Ufko. “I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family, teammates and coaches. I’m so grateful I came to UMass and got to be a part of a team and culture that is very special and am forever grateful for it.”
Ufko was named a Hockey East first team all-star this season and became UMass’ first winner of Hockey East’s Len Ceglarski Sportsmanship Award. He was selected as an honorable mention Hockey East all-star as a freshman and a second team honoree as a sophomore.
The team co-captain, Hobey Baker candidate and Walter Brown Award semifinalist saw action in all 37 games in 2023-24, recording 26 points on 10 goals and 16 assists, including six power-play markers and six game winners, which tied a program single-season record. A native of Smithtown, N.Y., Ufko was plus-4 with 55 blocks and helped UMass to a 20-14-3 record and its fourth trip to the NCAA tournament since 2019. He was named Hockey East defender of the week on Nov. 20 after playing a pivotal role in the Minutemen’s sweep of then-No. 5 Providence and Hockey East player of the week after a four-point weekend against UMass Lowell, which included two OT game winners.
In Hockey East action this season, Ufko posted 12 points on six goals and six assists over 24 games with four power-play goals and four game winners.
Ufko was an AHCA Krampade All-American scholar and a Hockey East all-academic team honoree in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and was tabbed an academic all-district at-large team in 2023.
Over three seasons in a UMass uniform, he appeared in 106 games with 81 points on 23 goals and 58 assists.
“We’re in a historical moment,” regent Denise Illitch said at the meeting. “It’s time for the University of Michigan to have a varsity team for its women’s hockey program.”
The state of Michigan has seven men’s Division I teams and one D-III team but hasn’t had a D-I women’s team since Wayne State folded in 2011. Finlandia previously had a D-III women’s team before disbanding after the 2022-23 season.
University president Santa Ono has attended several U of M women’s hockey games and according to the Michigan Daily, even paid for the team’s ice time costs this past season, showing support for the women’s hockey program.
Ono responded to Ilitch.
“I will be following up on that,” Ono said. “And as you know, I’ve asked for a feasibility study and I know our athletic director is not here, but he will be reporting back to us shortly.”
“I would strongly encourage both you and athletic director Warde Manuel to have this feasibility study,” regent Jordan Acker added. “Because ultimately, it’s about this: the time has come for the people of Michigan to have a women’s hockey team and not force our elite female hockey players to go elsewhere.”
The women’s hockey team has been at Michigan for 28 years.
Michigan coach Jenna Trubiano is excited to potentially start the feasibility study, which is paid for by the NHL, and to move the program forward.
“It’s energizing to be recognized for our efforts as a program and a true credit to all of our current players, alumni and coaches who have put their time and energy into our women’s hockey program,” Trubiano told the Michigan Daily in a statement.
Trinity’s Devon Bobak was immense in goal in every game this season leading the Bantams to the national championship game and earning him USCHO POTY honors (photo: Trinity Athletics).
While Trinity fell short in winning their first national title since 2015 in Saturday’s championship game against Hobart, their stellar sophomore goaltender, Devon Bobak was the biggest part of the equation in helping take the Bantams to a NESCAC championship, a No.2 ranking in the country and a 25-win season that has earned him the USCHO D-III Men’s Hockey Player of the Year.
Bobak played in all 30 games for the Bantams this season recording a 25-4-1 record with seven shutouts. He posted a miniscule 1.18 goals-against average and .946 save percentage in backstopping Trinity to the Frozen Four where they downed Adrian, 2-1 before losing to Hobart, 2-0 in the title game.
“Devon is a special kid,” noted head coach Matt Greason. “No doubt he has been our most valuable player this season giving us a chance to win every game. He is a super humble kid and doesn’t like the individual recognition and attention that comes with it. If I have given him a post-game recognition in the room, he wants me to give it to someone else. He is really thrilled to be here at Trinity and successfully juggles not only the academics and hockey but also two part-time jobs that help him be part of the Trinity experience.”
Bobak should be used to honors at this point of the season having been named the NESCAC Player of the year, a first team All-American and most recently, the winner of the Sid Watson Award recognizing the nation’s best player at the D-II/III level.
“Devon is both big and athletic,” said Greason. “Usually at this level we see one more than the other and both is something that doesn’t come around often at his skill level. I know it is easy to put labels on goalies, but he really is a very “normal” kid and part of the team and has been a major part of our success this year in only his second season at Trinity.”
Bobak surrendered just 35 goals on the entire season and just six goals when his team was shorthanded frustrating opponents throughout the season at crucial times during games. His seven shutouts this season along with five from his first year establish a new career high for Trinity netminders with still two seasons available to extend the shutout record and probably several others in backstopping future Bantam teams.
Stay tuned for off-season news (there is likely to be a lot related to league shuffling again this summer) and other D-II/III items of interest on the site. Special thanks to Brian Lester, Chris Sugar, Russell Jaslow for all their contributions during the season as well as all the coaches, players and SIDs that were so generous with their time, information and passion for the great game of college hockey.
Bill O’Neill coached the Salem State men’s hockey team for 42 years (photo: Salem State Athletic Department).
The New England Hockey Writers Association will host its annual awards reception on April 23 at the Prince Restaurant in Saugus, Mass.
The event will include not only the New England writers’ honorees but will also serve to present the recipients of the Walter Brown Award and Joe Concannon Award, given by the Gridiron Club of Boston, to the top American-born hockey players in New England. In addition, the Eastern Massachusetts Ice Hockey Officials will present the J. Thom Lawler Award.
Among the honorees are New England MVPs Devon Bobak of Trinity (men) and Meg Rittenhouse of Colby (women). Coach of the year awards go to Matt Greason of Trinity (men) and Katie Zimmerman of Western New England (women).
The evening will also include the presentation of the following awards sponsored by other organizations: the Gridiron Club of Boston honors the top American-born male hockey players in New England with the Joe Concannon Award, named after the former Boston Globe sportswriter. Devon Bobak of Trinity is this year’s recipient. The J. Thom Lawler Award, presented by the Eastern Massachusetts Ice Hockey Officials goes to Thomas Kramer of Babson.
The evening will end with the presentation of the Parker-York Award for contributions to New England hockey. This year’s recipient is retired Salem State men’s coach Bill O’Neill, who won 626 games in a 42-year career as the Vikings’ head coach. A 1978 graduate of Boston University, O’Neill contributed to the Terriers 1978 NCAA championship, taking a regular shift on defense for coach Jack Parker.
The New England Division II-III honorees have also been announced for both men and women.
2023-24 New England Division II-III Men’s All-Stars
Goalie – Kalle Anderson, SR, Plymouth State
Goalie – Devon Bobak, SO, Trinity
Goalie – Shane Soderwall, FR, Curry
Defense – Colby Bailey, SR, Babson
Defense – Ned Blanchard, SR, Trinity
Defense – David Ciancio, St. Michael’s
Defense – Matt Connor, SO, Curry
Defense – Chip Hamlett, SO, University of New England
Defense – Rider McCallum, SO, Plymouth State
Forward – Gage Dill, SO, Curry
Forward – Matt Fawcett, JR, Salve Regina
Forward – Andrew Kurapov, SR, Endicott
Forward – Ronny Paragallo, JR, Assumption
Forward – Michael Perrone, GR, UMass-Dartmouth
Forward – Will Redick, SO, Plymouth State
Forward – Tyler Sedlak, JR, Tufts
Forward – Connor Tait, JR, Plymouth State
Forward – Ryan Tucker, SR, Amherst College
2023-24 New England Division III Women’s All-Stars
Goalie – Haley McKim, SR, Southern Maine
Goalie – Natalie Stott, SO, Amherst
Goalie – Sophia Will, SO, Middlebury
Defense – Neris Archambault, SR, Norwich
Defense – Jess Burwell, SR, Endicott
Defense – Maddie Cox, GR, Salve Regina
Defense – Quinn Dawson, JR, Williams
Defense – Jenna Stevens, SR, Wesleyan
Defense – Breanna Studley, SO, Colby
Forward – Livia Brooks, FY, Norwich
Forward – Meg Rittenhouse, SR, Colby
Forward – Leah Rubinshteyn, SO, Williams
Forward – Moa Carlsson, SO, VSU Castleton
Forward – Rylee Glennon, SR, Amherst
Forward – Jenny Guider, SR, Trinity
Forward – Teaghan Hall, SO, Endicott
Forward – Avery McInerny, SO, Middlebury
Forward – Alyssa Murphy, SR, Western New England
Forward – Katie Puumala, GR, Worcester State
Jack Ceglarski served as interim coach at Middlebury in 2023-24 and will now have the interim tag removed (photo: Will Costello).
Middlebury has named Jack Ceglarski as the head coach of the men’s hockey program after serving as the interim head coach for the 2023-24 season.
“The search committee and I are thrilled to have Jack as the next head coach of Middlebury men’s ice hockey,” said Middlebury director of athletics Erin Quinn in a statement. “As the interim head coach, Jack has demonstrated that he is the right person to lead us into the next era for our program. He brings a passion and knowledge of the game, and a player-centered approach to developing players on and off the ice that served us well under his leadership this past season. We are looking forward to him continuing to build on what he has already started.”
As the interim head coach, Ceglarski led the team to its most wins since the 2019-20 season. The squad made its first appearance in the NESCAC semifinals since 2016, falling to eventual champion and NCAA runner-up Trinity. The Panthers battled the Bantams twice earlier in the season, testing Trinity and coming up just short (3-2) in both games, including an overtime thriller. Ceglarski also guided Middlebury to a stunning upset over then-No. 11 Norwich 3-0, which sparked a four-game unbeaten streak.
“I am very grateful and honored for the opportunity to continue leading this team,” said Ceglarski. “I have to thank Erin and the rest of his team here in athletics for their support and belief in me. I am excited to work closely with our staff, alumni and players to continue strengthening the Middlebury men’s hockey legacy.”
Ceglarski served as the assistant coach at Middlebury from 2021 to 2023. Prior to his time at Middlebury, Ceglarski was an assistant coach at Notre Dame from 2019 to 2021. He also served as an assistant coach and co-recruiting coordinator for the 2018-19 season at the University of New England.
A 2017 graduate of Geneseo, Ceglarski was a four-year member of the Knights hockey program. He made two NCAA semifinal appearances during his career and had professional hockey playing stints with the Reading Royals (ECHL), Indy Fuel (ECHL) and Huntsville Havoc (SPHL).
Minnesota is moving on to play for a regional title Saturday night (photo: Tim Brule).
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Minnesota forward Jaxon Nelson had himself a night to remember near his old hometown.
Nelson scored twice in the third period, which included the late game-winner as Minnesota rallied to beat Omaha 3-2 on Thursday night at Denny Sanford Premier Center, advancing to Saturday night’s regional final.
Nelson, a native of Magnolia, Minn., about 40 miles from the arena, had many friends and family in attendance and gave his peers a finish to remember.
“It was great to get the win. It was a great atmosphere,” said Nelson. “It means a lot, the support from the community.”
Joaquim Lemay and Ty Mueller had goals for Omaha, which came into the NCAA tournament red-hot but fell to Minnesota for the second straight time, both in the tournament’s first round in the last four years – the Gophers won their 2021 NCAA meeting 7-2. But Mavericks coach Mike Gabinet has seen so much growth with his players and the program in-between those meetings, and he felt that was a big part of going into this year’s tournament.
“It’s a big stage, but I felt we were battle tested,” Gabinet said.
For most of the first period, it seemed like the Gophers were chasing the game. They didn’t spend a lot of time in the offensive zone, and they ended up taking two penalties, one of which was a head contact major on Ryan Chesley, who stayed in the game. Most of the major carried to the second period, and the Mavericks were able to convert it into a goal from Lemay for a 1-0 lead. Those seven minutes of penalty killing really had the Gophers on their heels – they were being outshot 18-4 by the time the major expired.
“Seven minutes of killing penalties can really put us in a hole,” said Minnesota coach Bob Motzko. “Right after the penalty kill, we started playing.”
Minnesota did indeed seem to wake up after the kill and spent most of the next 10 minutes pushing relentlessly for the tying goal, finally getting it after Connor Kurth made a great play to keep the puck in the offensive zone, feeding Jimmy Clark and going in 2-on-1 with Clark before the latter aimed a perfect laser over Simon Latkoczy’s right shoulder at 18:01 and sending the teams into the second intermission in a 1-1 deadlock. The Gophers were badly outshot when the major expired but finished the final 15 minutes of the frame with a 21-7 SOG advantage to put them ahead 26-25 in that department.
“We had a lot of momentum,” said Kurth.
However, the Mavericks went back ahead within the first five minutes of the third period as a Jack Randl shot found Mueller on the other end of the net, and he buried it for a 2-1 lead. The Gophers answered a few minutes later when Bryce Brodzinski won a battle behind the UNO net and fed Nelson out front to equalize the game for the second time.
Then that very same combo in that very same order struck again with just over four minutes left after Omaha’s Tanner Ludtke lost his balance and fell in his own zone along the far wall, turning the puck over to Brodzinski whose shot tipped off the stick of Nelson and in for the winning goal.
“Bryce made a nice play to get the tip,” Nelson said.
Omaha relentlessly fought for the tying goal over the final two minutes after Latkoczy was pulled for the extra skater, and they were able to force a long shift for Minnesota’s skaters until Justen Close made a big save with 9.3 seconds left, stopping play and allowing a crucial line change for the Gophers to clear the zone and finish off the game after the final faceoff.
“We played pretty well in that last minute; we gave it everything we got,” said Omaha forward Matt Miller. “Fell a little short, but that’s everything we had.”
Minnesota will face Boston University in the regional final on Saturday at 5:30 PM CT. It will be a rematch of their 2023 Frozen Four semifinal matchup, a 6-2 Minnesota victory.
“We saw them last year; we know they got a ton of talent,” Motzko said. “We’re just darn happy we’re playing Saturday.”
Cornell players celebrate a goal Thursday night in the Big Red’s win over Maine (photo: Leilani Burke).
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — You won’t have ECAC Hockey to kick around anymore — for one more night, at least.
Cornell made sure of that on Thursday, asserting itself with a goal in each period to earn a 3-1 win over Maine of Hockey East in the first round of the NCAA tournament before a crowd of 5,765 at Mass Mutual Center.
“The ECAC gets slept on a little bit,” said Big Red goalie Ian Shane, who finished with 31 saves. “We like to kind of keep that chip on our shoulder. Coming in here, winning (the ECAC) championship last weekend, we wanted to make sure we kept that underdog mentality, keep that chip on our shoulder, wanting to make sure we weren’t complacent.”
Sullivan Mack scored twice for Cornell, including the game winner in the second period.
Cornell (22-6-6) now advances to Saturday’s regional final, where it will face Denver for a shot at its first trip to the Frozen Four since 2003. Maine saw its season end at 23-12-2. The Black Bears were making their first NCAA tourney appearance since 2012.
On the game winner, Mack scooped up a loose puck near the boards at Maine’s blue line, skated across the faceoff circle with the puck and fired it past Maine goalie Victor Östman for Mack’s sixth goal of the season, giving the Big Red a 2-1 lead.
Maine finished with a 27-18 edge in shots.
The Black Bears got on the board first when Harrison Scott scored his 15th goal of the season. Donovan Villeneuve-Houle shed Cornell defender George Fegaras on the left wing and sent it to Villeneuve-Houle high in the slot, where the senior forward made a quick move and sent a wrister past Shane at 5:43.
Maine’s best chance to assert itself and expand its lead came later in the period when Cornell’s Ryan Walsh was sent off ice for a five-minute major hitting-from-behind penalty at 6:38. Shane turned away all nine Black Bear shots.
“That, to me, was the turning point of the game,” Cornell coach Mike Schafer said. “They’re one of the best power plays I’ve seen on video. They move it around. They got a couple of different looks and we were fortunate.”
Cornell tied it up at 13:56 of the opening frame when Gabriel Seger swiped the puck from Maine’s Parker Lindauer with a hit on the right boards and sent it behind the faceoff circle to Kyle Penney, who then skated to the center and pounded it past Östman (15 saves). It was Penney’s 10th goal of the season.
“They capitalized on most of their scoring chances,” Maine coach Ben Barr said. “That was the difference in the game. It was tough for the boys — they played really hard. Obviously, I’m proud of our team and how far they brought this program this year. But this one will sting for a while.”
Mack made it a 2-goal night when he skated across two zones and appeared to go five-hole on Östman to double Cornell’s lead at 10:31 of the third period.
“I was just trying to get my feet moving, something we were trying to do all night,” Mack said. “I was kind of surprised with how much room I had. (I) was just happy to get a clean shot.”
Saturday’s contest will be a rematch of last year’s regional semifinal, won by Cornell 2-0 in Manchester, N.H. Cornell fell to Boston University in the regional final.
The action was fast and furious all game long between BU and RIT (photo: Tim Brule).
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Even if the Hockey East championship game didn’t go as planned for the Terriers, it’s how they play now that matters.
Now they’re one win away from a return trip to the Frozen Four.
Macklin Celebrini scored and had an assist to go over 60 points for the season and six different players had goals as the 2nd overall seeded Boston University Terriers pulled away from the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers 6-3 on Thursday evening at the Denny Sanford Premier Center, advancing to Saturday evening’s regional final.
“Give RIT credit,” said BU coach Jay Pandolfo. “Overall, a great win.”
A slow start, maybe attributing to the bitter aftermath of a 6-2 beatdown at the hands of archrival Boston College in the Hockey East tournament final, was put behind BU quickly after they got some nice early saves from Mathieu Caron while taking control with two first-period goals.
“We started off pretty slow,” said Pandolfo. “Our goaltender was very good.”
After the first 10 minutes in which Boston University was unable to control the puck very much, they were able to break through first when Lane Hutson made a beautiful toe drag move and backhanded the puck past Tommy Scarfone. Ryan Greene doubled the lead 1:05 later with a snipe from the left circle, but RIT was able to get one back late in the first as Elijah Gonsalves roofed one on a power play.
Sam Stevens made it a two-goal game with a goal from the right faceoff dot, but the Tigers answered for the second time as Gianfranco Cassaro scored on a low wrist shot. Needing another goal to take control, Hobey Baker top-10 finalist Celebrini provided that necessary tally as he helped finish a beautiful passing sequence between himself, Dylan Peterson and Nick Zabaneh with his 32nd goal of the season, making it 4-2 after 40 minutes.
Outstanding work by Petey and Zabs leads to Mack's 32nd goal of the season!
“It was a great rush; we had a good breakout,” Celebrini said. “Great passing.”
Jack Harvey added to the lead with an early third-period backhand goal, and Peterson capped the team’s scoring with an empty-net goal with just over four minutes to go. The Tigers added one more to their scoresheet with a Cody Laskosky goal with 56 seconds left.
In the end, the BU talent was just too much for Atlantic Hockey tournament champion RIT, who fought hard but saw their season end with a 27-11-2 record.
“Always tough to lose like this at the end of the year,” said Tigers coach Wayne Wilson. “All the chances we had, I just thought we came up a little short.
“I’m still very proud of our team and what we were able to accomplish this year.”
Caron finished with 28 saves for BU and Scarfone had 27 for RIT.
The Terriers (27-9-2) await the Omaha-Minnesota winner on Saturday at 5:30 PM CT for a spot in the Frozen Four in St. Paul.
Denver players mob Tristan Broz after his double-OT winner eliminated UMass Thursday afternoon (photo: Denver Athletics).
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The last thing Denver wanted was another long cross-country trip cut short by a first-round NCAA tournament loss.
Tristan Broz made sure the Pioneers get to stick around Western Massachusetts a few more days, with a shot at the Frozen Four. Broz’s goal at 12:28 of double overtime of the NCAA regional semifinals lifted Denver to a 2-1 win over host Massachusetts on Thursday at the Mass Mutual Center.
“It’s been a long journey to get back to this tournament,” Broz said. “We stuck together. There was no real panic in our group. It was a testament to all the guys in the locker room.”
Denver (29-10-3) — desperate to erase memories of last year’s tournament, when they were bounced early by virtue of a 2-0 first-round loss to Cornell — will face either Cornell or Maine in Saturday’s regional final. The Pioneers are in search of their first trip to the Frozen Four since 2022, when they won their ninth NCAA championship.
“We knew we’d have to face a game like this,” Denver coach David Carle said. “You get to this time of year, everyone’s a great team. Inside ice is hard to come by. Goals are hard to come by. I thought both teams were pushed to the limit tonight.”
It was a surprisingly low-scoring affair between two teams known for lighting the lamp. Denver went into the afternoon as the top team in the nation in average goals per game with 4.85. Massachusetts had averaged just under three goals per contest, fourth in Hockey East.
After a 0-0 first period, Denver opened the scoring when Boston Buckberger sent a rocket from the left faceoff circle past UMass goalie Michael Hrabal at 5:12 of the second. Trystan Lemyre fed Buckberger with a nifty no-look backhand from high in the slot to set up the Buckberger’s first NCAA tournament goal.
UMass got that goal back later in the frame when Liam Gorman poked home a loose puck from short range past Denver netminder Matt Davis for Gorman’s first career goal at 12:52. The third period was devoid of scoring.
It was an impressive defensive turnaround for UMass, which was coming off an 8-1 loss to Boston College in the Hockey East semifinals one week earlier.
“We just had to stick to our foundation and our identity,” said UMass defenseman Ryan Ufko. “We know we’re a big, fast team, so that physicality part was something we really preached, and I thought that really helped us.”
Only three penalties were called in regulation — two against UMass and one against the Pioneers. UMass was unable to take advantage of a power play in the second overtime — the only penalty called during extra time.
Hrabal finished with 38 saves, while Davis made 47. UMass held a 28-24 advantage in shots during regulation.
UMass saw its season end at 20-14-3. In an ironic twist, the Minutemen had Denver to thank for their presence in the NCAA tournament — UMass only qualified when the Pioneers beat Omaha 4-1 in the NCHC championship game last week.
“Extremely proud of the way we played tonight,” UMass coach Greg Carvel said. “I know there’s a lot of chatter about whether we deserve to be in the tournament. I didn’t doubt it for a second. I thought we’d give Denver a hell of a game, and we did.”
Shane Soderwall is the USCHO Rookie of the Year after a stellar first season at Curry. (Photo provided by Curry Athletics)
Insane. Unreal. Crazy.
Those words could describe one of the most memorable performances of Shane Soderwall’s rookie college hockey season at Curry.
He made 98 saves, good enough to tie an NCAA record, in a wild tournament battle with eventual national champion Hobart that ended with the Colonels falling 4-3.
“That was a one in a million game for me,” Soderwall said. “Our whole team gave it their all.”
That effort in the NCAA tournament highlights one of the many reasons why Soderwall is the USCHO Rookie of the Year.
“I mean, it’s cool, but it’s also humbling,” Soderwall said. “It goes to show how good our whole team was. We showed up ready every day, and when there is team success, there is going to be individual success as well.”
Soderwall played in 21 games for Curry (21-6-1) during a special 2023-24 campaign, starting 18 times. He made 608 saves, giving up just 33 goals, and fashioned a 1.59 goals against average.
It took him time to adapt as he moved up from junior hockey to the college hockey world.
But he arrived on campus ready to work, and that made a difference.
“I knew things wouldn’t be handed to me,” Soderwall said. “I came to the rink with a pro mindset and ready to work on the small things. I was fortunate to get a chance to play this year.”
A native of Illinois, he started playing hockey when he was just 5 years old. But he wasn’t only a goalie.
“I started out as a player, but I didn’t like sitting on the bench. I liked being in the net full time. I liked all the action, and being a forward going back to the bench wasn’t my strong suit. I figured why sit on the bench when you can play the whole game.”
Soderwall said the pace of play is one of the biggest appeals of hockey. And that competition aspect? Well, nothing beats it.
“It’s the will to compete, that you want to be that guy that is going to help the team win,” Soderwall said. “My job each game is to not win it, but to give our team the best chance of winning. If I can do that, our odds of winning are good.”
He said one of his keys to success as a goalie is having the right mindset.
“It’s not being too high or too low,” Soderwall said. “It’s being calm out there and showing up ready to help your team win.”
He already has high expectations for next year.
“We’re bringing a large bulk of our team back. I have faith we can be in same spot next year and go even further,” Soderwall said.
Soderwall is part of a talented cast of newcomers being recognized for their contributions this past season.
USCHO All-Rookie Team
F Collin Patterson, Massachusetts-Dartmouth
F Eric Vitale, Utica
F Logan Dombrowsky, St. Norbert
F Landon Parker, Augsburg
F Luke Tchor, Hamilton
F Boyd Stahlbaum, UW-Stout
F Tio D’Addario, Plattsburgh
D Julien Jacob, Adrian
D Bauer Morrissey, Hobart
D Cooper Bertrand, Norwich
G Shane Soderwall, Curry
All-Rookie Team – – Soderwall, Curry; D – Julien Jacob, Adrian; Bauer Morrissey, Hobart; D – Cooper Bertrand – Norwich; F – Eric Vitale, Utica; F – Logan Dombrowsky, St. Norbert; F – Landon Parker, Augsburg; F – Luke Tchor – Hamilton; F – Boyd Stahlbaum – Wisconsin – Stout; F – Tio D’Addario – Plattsburgh; F – Collin Patterson – Massachusetts – Dartmouth
Boston College freshman Will Smith leads the nation in scoring (photo: Meg Kelly).
Providence Regional, March 29-31 Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, R.I.
Friday, March 29, 2:00 p.m., ET, ESPNU
No. 1 Boston College (31-5-1) vs. No. 4 Michigan Tech (19-14-6)
Friday, March 29, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPNews
No. 2 Wisconsin (26-11-2) vs. No. 3 Quinnipiac (26-9-2)
Sunday, March 31, 4:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Providence Regional Championship
BOSTON COLLEGE
How they got here: Won Hockey East tournament, 1st in final PairWise
Overall season record: 31-5-1
Top players: F Cutter Gauthier (35-24-59), F Gabe Perreault (18-39-57), F Will Smith (23-44-67), D Eamon Powell (5-27-32), D Lukas Gustafsson (3-10-13), G Jacob Fowler (29-5-1, 2.19 GAA, .925 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: For those of you who have been on Mars for the last six months, in a cave, with your eyes shut and fingers in your ears, the Eagles have won 12 straight and steamrolled their way through the Hockey East tournament by an aggregate score of 19-7. They were four goals better than the nation’s second ranked team, which just happened to be their crosstown rivals.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: Well, there’s the “any given Sunday” aspect of the NCAA hockey tournament, and an overall No. 1 seed hasn’t won the whole thing since Denver in 2017. Other than that, there are few reasons to bet against Boston College not only making it to St. Paul, but also hoisting the national championship trophy for the first time since 2012.
Wisconsin’s Ben Dexheimer plays the puck in front of Kyle McClellan during a recent game (photo: Tom Lynn).
WISCONSIN
How they got here: At-large bid, 8th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 26-11-2
Top players: F Cruz Lucius (13-21-34), F David Silye (9-23-32), F Simon Tassey (12-16-28), D Ben Dexheimer (5-22-27), G Kyle McClellan (24-11-1, 1.92 GAA, .931 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Kyle McClellan. He really is that good – unflappable, consistent, excellent, arguably the best goaltender in the tournament. McClellan has the second-best GAA in the country and the nation’s best save percentage. He’s not solely responsible for Wisconsin’s overall team defense – the third-best scoring defense (2.00) and PK (86.8) in the nation – but it sure does help to have that kind of wall in net. The Badgers also have the kind of enthusiasm and confidence that comes from a very successful season under a new coaching staff. Wisconsin finished last in Big Ten play last season with 13 overall wins. That kind of turnaround can fuel a Frozen Four run. Also, they’re well rested, not having played since Mar. 10.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: This is Wisconsin’s first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2010, and while the first-year coaching staff carries the muscle memory of recent Frozen Four experiences with Minnesota State, this team does not. Wisconsin was eliminated in a best-of-three Big Ten quarterfinal series by Ohio State, and the Badgers are 6-5 in their last 11 games including that series. They play the defending national champion in their first game in this regional and if they get past Quinnipiac, face either the No. 1 seed in the tournament or a very stoked Michigan Tech team that just beat the No. 1 seed in the tournament. It’s a tough road for a team without tournament experience.
Jacob Quillan celebrates his OT winner that lifted Quinnipiac to a 3-2 win on the road at AIC earlier this season (photo: Rob Rasmussen/P8Photos.com).
QUINNIPIAC
How they got here: At-large bid, 9th in final Pairwise
Overall season record: 26-9-2
Top players: F Collin Graf (22-26–48), F Jacob Quillan (15-29–44), F Mason Marcellus (14-22–36), F Sam Lipkin (15-20–35), G Vinny Duplessis (20-6-2, 1.93 GAA, .918 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Not winning the ECAC tournament is a common thread through the years for Quinnipiac, but a semifinal exit in last year’s conference postseason did nothing to stop the train from winning the national championship over a field that included Minnesota, Michigan and Boston University. And while this year’s team doesn’t have the same defensive structure as last year’s championship roster, the core and an ultra-talented front line has virtually the same pace of scoring as a team that won the national championship. Also, don’t discount the fact that dropping to a No. 3 seed allowed the Bobcats to play more locally in Providence instead of getting sent out west to possibly play in Sioux Falls.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: Last year’s team was rock solid from top to bottom, and this year’s team isn’t. Combine that with the Providence pod’s overall strength – Wisconsin was a possible No. 1 seed until it lost the Big Ten regular season championship to Michigan State ahead of its first-round postseason exit against Ohio State and the Bobcats will be lucky to even get out of their first game before facing either the top seed in the entire tournament in Boston College or a rugged, tough CCHA champion Michigan Tech.
Isaac Gordon has been a go-to player this season for Michigan Tech (photo: Michigan Tech Athletics).
MICHIGAN TECH
How they got here: Won CCHA tournament, 32nd in final PairWise
Overall season record: 19-14-6
Top players: G Blake Pietila (18-12-6, 2.28 GAA, .920 SV%); F Isaac Gordon (18-18-36); F Ryland Mosley (18-15-33); F Logan Pietila (11-11-22); F Logan Pietila (13-16-29); D Chase Pietila (3-19-22); F Jack Works (10-10-20)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Blake Pietila. Maybe it feels like you’re re-reading last season’s regional preview, but I assure you, you are not. Even though his numbers aren’t quite as good as they were a season ago when he won the CCHA’s player of the year award and was a Mike Richter Award finalist, Pietila still has the ability to win games for the Huskies when it looks like they are outmatched. Take last weekend’s CCHA title game in Bemidji. The Huskies were outshot by the Beavers 35-27 but aside from a first period Bemidji goal, the fifth-year senior stopped every other shot, including 17 in the third period alone, to carry the Huskies to their first-ever Mason Cup championship. This is one of the reasons why Pietila returned for his fifth year–another shot at making the NCAA tournament. If he’s on his game, he automatically gives the Huskies a chance to beat anybody, and he’s been on his game for most of the second half of the season as Tech has made its run to the NCAAs.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: Although Pietila gives Tech plenty of insurance any time he is in the crease, the defensive core in front of him has had some growing pains. The combination of freshman, transfers and players who didn’t see much ice time previously came into the season with less than 150 games of college hockey played between them, and nearly all of those belonged to senior Jed Pietila. Although they have gelled as the season has gone on and become a more cohesive unit, there are some heavy-hitting offensive teams in this region, including two of the top 10 scoring offenses in the country. It remains to be seen if the relatively inexperienced defensive core will be able to help keep pucks away from Blake Pietila. If not, it will likely be a quick NCAA tournament exit.
Trey Augustine celebrates Michigan State’s weekend home sweep over Wisconsin earlier this season (photo: Michigan State Athletics).
Maryland Heights Regional, March 29-31 Centene Community Ice Center, Maryland Heights, Mo.
Friday, March 29, 5:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU
No. 1 Michigan St. (24-9-3) vs. No. 4 Western Mich. (21-15-1)
Friday, March 29, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU
No. 2 North Dakota (26-11-2) vs. No. 3 Michigan (21-14-3)
Sunday, March 31, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Maryland Heights Regional Championship
MICHIGAN STATE
How they got here: Won the Big Ten tournament, 4th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 24-9-3
Top players: F Karsen Dorwart (14-18-32), F Joey Larson (15-16-31), F Gavin O’Connell (14-11-25), D Artyom Levshunov (9-25-34), G Trey Augustine (22-8-2, 2.88 GAA, .918 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Adam Nightingale credits Michigan State’s sweep at the hands of Boston College early in the season for showing the Spartans what it takes to attain a high level of success – and that lesson certainly took. Michigan State improved in every position as the season progressed and found ways to win against opponents they should beat. They carry momentum from the Big Ten championship into this regional, and they have the sixth-best offense in the nation, something that seems to fly under the radar. They’re battle-tested, motivated, balanced and deep. Nothing rattles them, which could be the one intangible thing that propels them into the Frozen Four.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: There is one thing that can prevent Michigan State from advancing this weekend, and that’s Michigan State. This is MSU’s first NCAA tournament appearance since 2012, so they lack experience. Also, this is just a tough, tough bracket. Western Michigan is a top-10 team offensively, is 11th nationally in defense and more than decent on special teams. Even if the Spartans get by the Broncos, they’ll face either North Dakota or Michigan, two tournament-tested teams – and the Wolverines would have something to prove in a Big Ten title game rematch.
Jake Livanavage’s first NCAA goal stood as the game winner as North Dakota defeated Minnesota on home ice earlier this season (photo: Russell Hons).
NORTH DAKOTA
How they got here: At-large bid, tied for 6th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 26-11-2
Top players: F Jackson Blake (21-38–59), F Owen McLaughlin (13-25–38), F Cameron Berg (20-17–37), D Jake Livanavage (5-24–39), G Ludvig Persson (21-10-2, 2.47 GAA, .908 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Blake would be a difference-maker on any college team this season and would be a shoo-in for the Hobey Baker Award if not for a few leading lights in the Boston area. Livanavage has also been exceptional in his freshman season, helping a Fighting Hawks team that has had no real problems scoring.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: Persson deserves to go far in the NCAA tournament, because he wasn’t the reason Miami was nowhere near it over the past few years, but he missed North Dakota’s last three games. He’s in line to return this week, but UND got pounded by Omaha in the NCHC semifinals and lost four of five games against the Mavericks this season, and lost all four regular-season meetings with Colorado College. Could one or more of the Michigan-based teams in this regional suss out a blueprint through game film?
Gavin Brindley has been a top player this season for the Wolverines (photo: Michigan Photography).
MICHIGAN
How they got here: At-large bid, 10th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 21-14-3
Top players: F Gavin Brindley (24-27-51), F Dylan Duke (22-22-44), Rutger McGroarty (16-36-52), D Seamus Casey (7-38-45), G Jaco Barczewski (18-13-3, 2.83 GAA, .907 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Michigan has one of the most powerful, creative and explosive offenses in the country, averaging well over four goals per game – with an insane power-play conversion of 35.3%. That alone could power the Wolverines to their third consecutive Frozen Four appearance, but it’s the experience of having been there the last two years that can carry them there. The Wolverine have also shored up their overall team defense in the last month, and even in higher-scoring games, Michigan has found a way to win recently. Six of their last seven games have been decided by a goal, and they’re 5-1 in those games.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: This bracket is brutal. If Michigan gets past North Dakota – a big if – they’ll face either Western Michigan or Michigan State. The Broncos are an unknown for Michigan this season, but the Wolverines know the Spartans, a team they’re 1-4 against this season. While the Wolverines can score, they give up on average more than three goals per game and their PK is 40th-best in the nation (78.5%). If their recent defensive improvements don’t carry into this regional, the Wolverines are doomed.
Alex Bump was part of Western Michigan’s offense this season (photo: Ashley Huss).
WESTERN MICHIGAN
How they got here: At-large bid, tied for 13th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 21-15-1
Top players: F Luke Grainger (14-33–47), F Dylan Wendt (23-20–43), F Sam Colangelo (23-19–42), D Zak Galambos (8-12–20), G Cameron Rowe (21-15-1, 2.40 GAA, .905 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Up front and at the back, this Western Michigan team is led by upperclassmen who have had a hand in the Broncos making the past two NCAA tournaments, as well. If Rowe can show why he has played every minute this season for the Broncos, then who knows how far they could go?
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: The Maryland Heights Regional looks like it may be this year’s hardest to get out of. All four teams will find that, not just a Western team that has lost five of its last eight games.
