ST. PAUL, Minn. — Here are photos from Boston College’s 4-0 win over Michigan in the Men’s Frozen Four semifinals on Thursday at Xcel Energy Center.
Photos: Top shots from Boston College’s win over Michigan in Men’s Frozen Four
Denver, Boston University need overtime to decide Frozen Four semifinal
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Boston University’s Luke Tuch scored short-handed in the first and Denver’s Tristan Lemyre took advantage of a Terriers mistake in the second as BU and Denver were tied after regulation play in the opening semifinal of the 2024 Men’s Frozen Four on Thursday.
Denver began the overtime period with a 47-second power play after BU’s Dylan Petersen was whistled for boarding at 18:47 of the third.
Power plays were the story of the game. The Terriers put Denver on the man advantage four times, including three times in the third.
Denver did not take a penalty through regulation.
The Terriers began the game fast as Devin Kaplan was stopped on a one-timer by Denver goaltender Matt Davis just 45 seconds in. Denver didn’t have a shot until 5:50 of the first, but that led to Carter King with a great look on a rebound that BU’s Mathieu Caron stopped.
Seconds later, the Terriers took the game’s first penalty but instead of Denver’s power play capitalizing, BU scored short-handed.
Kaplan flicked a quick pass to Tuch that sent him past the Pioneers defense on a breakaway. Kaplan ripped a shot up high for his first career short-handed goal at 7:45.
Through the middle frame, the Terriers continued to hold a strong territorial advantage but a mental mistake by All-American defenseman Lane Hutson allowed Denver to strike back.
Behind his net, Hutson made a blind pass that was perfectly anticipated by Miko Matikka. He intercepted the puck and fed quickly to a wide-open Lemyre, who fired the puck five-hole on Caron at 15:21 to even the score. The goal came on just the eighth Pioneers shot of the game.
That goal gave Denver life, and the Pioneers hemmed the Terriers in their zone for the remainder of the second. With 23.4 seconds left, it looked as if Aidan Thompson would give the Pioneers their first lead when Davis made a perfect stretch pass to spring a 2-on-1. Appearing to be beat, Caron reached behind him for a glove save that robbed Thompson, sending the game to the third tied at 1.
Caron remained sharp in the third with his biggest save coming on Denver’s scoring leader Jack Devine as a Denver power play ended. A rebound popped right to Devine’s stick and he made a move past Caron, but the junior netminder reached his arm across to stop the puck with 9:13 left.
At the other end of the ice, it wasn’t so much the goaltender stealing the show, but the post. Lane Hutson took a feed from Macklin Celebrini with 3:33 left and ripped it off the inside of the post.
Boston University led in shots through regulation 25-23 but Denver outshot the Terriers in the third 12-5.
Denver, Boston University tied after two periods in Frozen Four semifinals
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Boston University’s Luke Tech scored short-handed in the first and Denver’s Tristan Lemyre took advantage of a Terriers mistake in the second as BU and Denver were tied through two periods of play in the opening semifinal of the 2024 Men’s Frozen Four.
The Terriers began the game fast as Devin Kaplan was stopped on a one-timer by Denver goaltender Matt Davis just 45 seconds in. Denver didn’t have a shot until 5:50 of the first, but that led to Carter King with a great look on a rebound that BU’s Mathieu Caron stopped.
Seconds later, the Terriers took the game’s first penalty but instead of Denver’s power play capitalizing, BU scored short-handed.
Kaplan flicked a quick pass to Tuch that sent him past the Pioneers defense on a breakaway. Kaplan ripped a shot up high for his first career short-handed goal at 7:45.
Through the middle frame, the Terriers continued to hold a strong territorial advantage but a mental mistake by All-American defenseman Lane Hutson allowed Denver to strike back.
Behind his net, Hutson made a blind pass that was perfectly anticipated by Miko Matikka. He intercepted the puck and fed quickly to a wide-open Lemyre, who fired the puck five-hole on Caron at 15:21 to even the score. The goal came on just the eighth Pioneers shot of the game.
That goal gave Denver life, and the Pioneers hemmed the Terriers in their zone for the remainder of the second. With 23.4 seconds left, it looked as if Aidan Thompson would give the Pioneers their first lead when Davis made a perfect stretch pass to spring a 2-on-1. Appearing to be beat, Caron reached behind him for a glove save that robbed Thompson, sending the game to the third tied at 1.
Boston University leads Denver after one period on Tuch’s short-handed goal
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Thanks to a Luke Tuch short-handed goal, Boston University held a 1-0 lead over Denver through one period in the opening semifinal of the 2024 Men’s Frozen Four.
The Terriers began the period fast as Devin Kaplan was stopped on a one-timer by Denver goaltender Matt Davis just 45 seconds into the game. Denver had its own grade A opportunity at 5:50 when Carter King had a great look on a rebound that BU’s Mathieu Caron stopped.
Seconds later, the Terriers took the game’s first penalty but instead of Denver’s power play capitalizing, BU scored short-handed.
Kaplan flicked a quick pass to Tuch that sent him past the Pioneers defense on a breakaway. Kaplan ripped a shot up high for his first career short-handed goal at 7:45.
Boston University held a distinct territorial advantage in the opening frame, evident by a 10-3 advantage in shots.
A short-handed breakaway gives Boston University the first goal of the 2024 Men’s Frozen Four
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Luke Tuch’s short-handed breakaway in the first period Thursday provided the first goal of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four.
Tuch scored 7:45 into the first period to give Boston University a 1-0 lead over Denver in the national semifinals.
Here’s a look at the goal.
THE TERRIERS WITH THE SHORTY!!! 🤩
📺 ESPN2 #MFrozenFour x @TerrierHockey pic.twitter.com/sixhKSjVps
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 11, 2024
Watch: USCHO’s Jim Connelly, Derek Schooley preview Men’s Frozen Four semifinals
ST. PAUL, Minn. — What will it take for Boston University, Denver, Boston College and Michigan to get to the NCAA championship game? USCHO’s Jim Connelly and Derek Schooley, head coach at Robert Morris, discuss some of the factors ahead of Thursday’s NCAA Men’s Frozen Four semifinal games.
Thursday replay on demand: USCHO Frozen Four Live! at 2024 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four
USCHO podcasts are going on the road, and you can join us for live broadcasts during the 2024 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minn., including Thursday from noon until 2 p.m. CT.
USCHO Frozen Four Live! with Ed Trefzger, Jim Connelly and Derek Schooley will have live events featuring special guests and giveaways on four days at Tom Reid’s Hockey City Pub, 258 7th St W, near the Xcel Energy Center.
Scheduled guests are:
| 12:20 p.m. | Doug Christiansen, ECAC |
| 12:40 p.m. | Heather Weems, NCHC |
| 1:00 p.m. | Don Lucia, CCHA |
| 1:20 p.m. | Adam Augustine, Big Ten |
| 1:40 p.m. | Andrew Mahoney, Boston Globe |
Replay:
Here’s rest of the week’s schedule (all times Central):
Friday, April 12: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 13: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
If you won’t be in St. Paul, check out the podcast from wherever you are on our site, on Apple Podcasts, in your favorite podcast app, or on Spreaker.
Check out all of USCHO’s college hockey podcasts, including USCHO Weekend Review and USCHO Edge, plus our entire podcast archive.
How to watch and listen to Thursday’s 2024 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four semifinals
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The 2024 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four begins Thursday with the national semifinals.
Boston University plays Denver at 4 p.m. CT at Xcel Energy Center. The second game between Boston College and Michigan is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Both games are on ESPN2 and ESPN+ for subscribers, with John Buccigross and Colby Cohen on the call.
Westwood One has rights to radio broadcasts. Brian Tripp, Dave Starman and Shireen Saski are the radio voices.
Disrupting strong offenses key as Boston University, Denver eye Frozen Four opener
ST. PAUL, Minn. — It takes more than a strong offense to win championships.
For No. 2 overall seed Boston University and No. 3 overall seed Denver, set to face off in the first NCAA Men’s Frozen Four semifinal Thursday, defense isn’t typically the first thought. But it just might come down to who has the better overall play. Disrupting the other team’s rhythm will be what it takes.
Staying focused on the ultimate goal and having a short memory was the key for BU after a blowout loss to archrival and top overall seed Boston College in the Hockey East championship on March 23.
Head coach Jay Pandolfo credited the short turnaround and the long trip halfway across the country to Sioux Falls, S.D., for the regionals the next week as a big part of his team’s success in advancing to St. Paul.
“We were certainly disappointed but we knew we weren’t done,” he said. “Our guys, they took it upon ourselves to move on.”
Macklin Celebrini leads the way for the Terriers as the nation’s No. 2 scorer (32 goals, 32 assists). While the talented 17-year-old Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist is expected to be the top overall pick in the next NHL draft, he insisted Wednesday that his focus is bringing home the program’s sixth national championship and first since 2009.
The same goes for his teammates. So what will it take to keep pace with Denver’s top-ranked offense of 4.71 goals per game?
“I think for us it’s dictating the way we want to play,” said defenseman Case McCarthy. “I think when we’re playing our style, we’re hard to deal with.
“[Denver is] a deep team. We’ve just got to make sure we manage the game,” Pandolfo said. “We’ve got to make sure that we’re staying above the puck, make sure our reloads are really good, make sure our gaps are good for our D so they don’t have a lot of time and space.”
For the Pioneers, that mighty offense was held in check in the Springfield Regional. But DU qualified for its second Frozen Four in the last three years by winning in a way it couldn’t early in the season — defense.
The Pioneers won a pair of 2-1 games over UMass and Cornell in their regional without having to put up big offensive numbers like they did March 22-23 when they took the NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship in the same building they’re playing in this week, the Xcel Energy Center.
They know they’re capable of lighting the lamp any time they want, and the improvement of their defense in the second half to complement the scoring makes them a tough out. But they’re not about to underestimate a skilled Terriers team as they pursue their 10th title.
“We want to play Denver hockey,” forward McKade Webster said. “We want to make them come through us, want to play a 200-foot game stopping on pucks and make them come to us.”
“Every team [here] has offensive weapons,” said Pioneers coach David Carle. “Limit their
opportunities and time and space the best we can, and I think our team showed how committed they are to team defense.”
SUNYAC adds Hobart, Skidmore to men’s hockey conference, William Smith to women’s hockey conference
The SUNYAC will add Hobart and William Smith in the sports of men’s and women’s hockey, and Skidmore in men’s hockey, beginning with the 2025-26 season.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by commissioner Tom DiCamillo following a recommendation by the SUNYAC board of directors (athletic directors) and approval by the SUNYAC presidents council.
This marks the second round of expansion for the SUNYAC since October and increases the conference associate membership to eight institutions participating in 12 conference sports beginning in 2025-26. The SUNYAC has 10 full members.
“We are excited that Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Skidmore College have accepted our invitation to become associate members of the SUNYAC,” Alberto Cardelle, the president of SUNY Oneonta and chair of the SUNYAC presidents council, said in a statement. “These institutions will strengthen the sports of men’s and women’s ice hockey in the SUNYAC as our conference continues striving to enhance the competition level of the league as well as the student-athlete experience.”
The Hobart men’s hockey program is the two-time reigning NCAA Division III national champion (2023, 2024), while Skidmore finished the 2023-24 campaign with a 19-7-2 (.714 winning percentage) overall mark before falling to Hobart in the NEHC championship.
William Smith finished the year with a 17-9-1 (.648) record before losing to NCAA Division III women’s national runner-up Elmira in the NEHC semifinals.
“Hobart and William Smith and Skidmore bring outstanding ice hockey programs with rich histories of success in Division III to the SUNYAC,” DiCamillo said. “The addition of these programs increases the strength of schedule within the conference and elevates what already is one of the premier Division III conferences in the nation.”
Both institutions are within the New York geographic footprint of the SUNYAC. Hobart and William Smith Colleges are in Geneva, while Skidmore is in Saratoga Springs.
The addition of Hobart and Skidmore brings the SUNYAC to 10 men’s teams that will feature a double round-robin, 18-game schedule. It marks the most men’s hockey programs in the history of the SUNYAC.
William Smith becomes the eighth member of the SUNYAC, which absorbed the Northeast Women’s Hockey League this year. The conference will employ a 14-game, double round-robin schedule that eliminates the need to continue using a triple round-robin format.
“We’re extremely excited and honored to find a home for our hockey programs with such familiar and respected institutions within the SUNYAC,” said Brian Miller, Hobart and William Smith director of athletics. “We already play many of those programs in our nonconference schedule and feel the strength of the league is right on par with the NEHC.
Mark Taylor, the Hobart coach, echoed Miller’s enthusiasm.
“I’m excited about joining the SUNYAC hockey league,” Taylor said. “It has a long history of excellent programs who we’ve played against throughout the history of our program, so this will be an easy transition for us. To join a league with teams that are among the best in the country and maintain our high-strength of schedule makes it a win-win. Plus, there’s always some excitement and nuances of joining a new league so that’ll be fun for the players.
William Smith coach Matt Cunningham agreed.
“Moving to the SUNYAC will present an exciting new challenge for our student-athletes,” Cunningham said. “It’s an honor to join this New York-based league with strong teams and a rich history. We will look forward to competing with these schools while elevating the experience for our student-athletes.”
Gail Cummings-Danson, the assistant vice president for student affairs and athletics director, sees a growing opportunity and a flourishing relationship for Skidmore and the SUNYAC.
“We are excited to begin competition with SUNYAC hockey for the 2025-26 season,” she stated. “Skidmore has enjoyed a competitive relationship with many of the SUNYAC hockey schools, and we look forward to strengthening those opportunities and developing a similar relationship with those that we have not yet competed against.”
Cummings-Danson noted that geographic location within the area occupied by current SUNYAC membership makes for a natural partnership and preserves Skidmore’s commitment to competing at the highest level of Division III men’s hockey.
“Though bittersweet to see the NEHC run its course, we couldn’t be more excited to join the SUNYAC hockey conference,” said Skidmore coach Rob Hutchison. “The league is packed with fantastic players and coaches and has always been a premier Division III hockey league. We are eager and grateful for the opportunity to build new relationships and build new rivalries with this group.”
In October, the SUNYAC admitted Canton and Morrisville as full member institutions beginning in 2024-25, while Alfred State was accepted as an associate member in the sports of men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, also beginning next year.
The SUNYAC added men’s wrestling to its roster of NCAA Division III sponsored sports as well in October, holding its first championship a month later. Associate members Ithaca, RIT, St. John Fisher and Utica joined full members Brockport, Cortland, Oneonta and Oswego to form an eight-team league under the SUNYAC umbrella. Brockport will become an associate member in wrestling in 2024-25.
A tale of 2 Jacobs: Boston College, Michigan goalies bring calming presences from different paths
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Besides the formal version of their first names, there’s not a lot in common at first glance between the starting goaltenders in Thursday’s NCAA Men’s Frozen Four semifinal between Michigan and Boston College.
Michigan’s Jake Barczewski and Boston College’s Jacob Fowler will duel with a spot in the national championship game on the line.
Fowler, a freshman, is 19. Barczewski, a graduate student, is 25.
Fowler has won at every level: a USHL title in junior hockey, a gold medal with Team USA at this year’s World Juniors and a Hockey East championship.
Barczewski has taken a longer path to success. He helped deliver an Atlantic Hockey title to Canisius last year, starting 94 games for the Golden Griffins over four seasons before transferring to Michigan. He’s the active career NCAA saves leader with 3,712 and counting.
But both Jacobs have played a major role in getting their teams to St. Paul.
Fowler has 31 wins this season, posting a 2.20 GAA and a .924 save percentage. Barczewski has 30 victories with a 2.81 GAA and a .909 save percentage.
Michigan coach Brandon Naurato said that Barczewski’s experience compliments the Wolverines, who are making their third consecutive trip to the Frozen Four.
“He’s a four-year starter, coming from Canisius,” he said. “Playing in the NCAA tournament (last season), and winning the (Atlantic Hockey) playoff championship with them.
“I think he’s gained a ton of experience this year, playing in big events like the Duel in the D, the Big Ten championship on the road and then the NCAA regionals in his hometown (St. Louis).”
Fowler’s track record of success before coming to BC has helped settle a young team, Eagles coach Greg Brown said.
“He showed early on that he’s got a calmness to his demeanor,” said Brown. “He doesn’t get rattled by anything. And I think especially with a young team, the guys can feed off of that.
“They see him back there doing his thing. Not that he’s relaxed, but he’s under control all the time. He doesn’t start flailing from side to side or guessing. He just stays right within himself and it’s huge for not only our defense but our whole team.”
The same goes for Barczewski, according to Naurato.
“We believe in ‘Barzo’” Naurato said. “He’s another guy that just brings positive energy and guys want what’s best for him, and I think he’s going to be outstanding on Thursday night.”
Wednesday episode on demand: USCHO Frozen Four Live! at 2024 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four
USCHO podcasts are going on the road, and you can join us for live broadcasts during the 2024 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minn., including this replay of our Wednesday podcast.
USCHO Frozen Four Live! with Ed Trefzger, Jim Connelly and Derek Schooley will have live events featuring special guests and giveaways on four days at Tom Reid’s Hockey City Pub, 258 7th St W, near the Xcel Energy Center.
Our guests were:
- Steve Metcalf, Hockey East Commissioner
- Mike Snee, College Hockey Inc. Executive Director
- Jess Myers, The Rink Live
- Neil Koepke, veteran hockey writer and broadcaster
- Paul Caponigri, Big Ten Network and ESPN
Replay:
Here’s rest of the week’s schedule (all times Central):
Thursday, April 11: Noon to 2 p.m.
Friday, April 12: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 13: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
If you won’t be in St. Paul, check out the podcast from wherever you are on our site, on Apple Podcasts, in your favorite podcast app, or on Spreaker.
Check out all of USCHO’s college hockey podcasts, including USCHO Weekend Review and USCHO Edge, plus our entire podcast archive.
Photos: Frozen Four teams practice in St. Paul
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Boston University, Denver, Michigan and Boston College practiced Wednesday at Xcel Energy Center in advance of Thursday’s NCAA Men’s Frozen Four semifinals. Here’s how it looked in photos.
Watch: Boston College wraps up Wednesday practices at the Frozen Four
ST. PAUL, Minn. — No. 1 overall seed Boston College was the last of four teams to practice on the Xcel Energy Center ice on Wednesday, the day before the 2024 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four opens with the semifinals. The Eagles will play Michigan after Boston University faces Denver.
Here’s a look at the Eagles’ practice:
Watch: A glimpse at Michigan’s practice before the Frozen Four begins
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Michigan was the third team to practice at the Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday, the day before the Wolverines play Boston College in the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four semifinals.
Here’s a look at the Wolverines’ session:
Watch: A look at Denver’s practice before the Frozen Four semifinals
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Denver plays Boston University in the first NCAA Men’s Frozen Four semifinal on Thursday, and the Pioneers were the second team to practice at the Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday.
Here’s a look at some of their practice:
Watch: Boston University practices in St. Paul before NCAA Men’s Frozen Four
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Boston University was the first team to practice Wednesday at the Xcel Energy Center. The Terriers play Denver in Thursday’s NCAA Men’s Frozen Four semifinals.
Here’s a look at some of their hour-long time on the ice.
Boston College’s Brown gets Spencer Penrose Award as Division I men’s hockey coach of the year
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Boston College’s Greg Brown was named the 2024 winner of the Spencer Penrose Award as Division I men’s hockey coach of the year on Wednesday.
Brown led the Eagles to Hockey East regular-season and playoff championships and to the Frozen Four. They’ll play Michigan in the national semifinals on Thursday.
Boston College is 33-5-1 in Brown’s second season leading the team. He was the third Eagles coach to win the award, joining John “Snooks” Kelley in 1959 and 1972 and Len Ceglarski in 1985. Jerry York didn’t win the award during his BC tenure but did at Clarkson in 1977.
Michigan State’s Adam Nightingale was the runner-up for the award.
Brown was the only conference coach of the year who led his team to the Frozen Four this season. A former Eagles captain, he was an assistant at Boston College from 2004 to 2018.
The Eagles have four of the nation’s top six scorers, led by national leader Will Smith at 69 points. Cutter Gauthier is one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, which will be presented Friday.
After pair of seasons with North Dakota, NCHC top scorer Blake leaves Fighting Hawks, inks NHL deal with Hurricanes
North Dakota sophomore forward Jackson Blake has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes.
“Jackson is an explosive playmaker who has played a key role in North Dakota’s success over the past two seasons,” said Hurricanes president and GM Don Waddell in a statement. “Hockey is in his blood, and we can’t wait to see how his game continues to grow at the next level.”
Blake was named a Hobey Baker Award Hat Trick finalist last week, becoming the seventh player to earn the distinction at North Dakota since 1999-00 and is expected to attend the ceremony in St. Paul on Friday evening.
The Eden Prairie, Minn., native put together one of the best sophomore seasons in program history, finishing with 22 goals and 38 assists to become only the second UND player in the last decade to hit the 60-point mark in a single season (Brock Boeser, 2015-16). His 60 points rank fourth in the nation and pace the NCHC while his 38 assists sit tied for third in the country and atop the conference leaderboard.
He was even better as the calendar flipped to the new year, potting points in 21 of UND’s 22 games during 2024 while finishing with 34 points over his last 18 games to help the Fighting Hawks capture their fourth Penrose Cup in the last five seasons and sixth overall in the 11-year history of the league.
During NCHC play, Blake shattered the conference’s scoring record with 37 points in just 24 games on his way to becoming NCHC player of the year, forward of the year and earning a unanimous spot on the all-NCHC first team.
For his career, Blake has 38 goals and 64 assists for 102 points in 79 career games to sit as only the second NoDak player to join the 100-point club as a sophomore in the last 30 years (Zach Parise, 2003-04). He hit the century mark in just 78 games, which is the sixth-fastest mark in program history.
