Denver coach David Carle speaks after an overtime win over Boston University on Thursday (photo: Brad Olson).
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Denver plays Boston College for the NCAA men’s hockey championship on Saturday. Here’s some of what the Pioneers were saying on Friday.
Are you us, or are we you?
The main way Denver and Boston College win their games are similar. The two programs boast the highest scoring offenses in the nation (Denver at 4.65 goals per game, BC at 4.58), so it seems only fitting that they meet for the title.
In their first meeting this season on Oct. 21 in Chestnut Hill, Mass., Denver won a back-and-forth game 4-3 over Boston College, finishing with a 28-27 edge in shots to define a good back-and-forth game between two evenly matched juggernauts. Can we expect the same on Saturday night with the national championship on the line?
“We’ve seen what they’ve done,” Pioneers coach David Carle said. “They haven’t really looked back or taken the foot off the gas, so I’ve been very impressed with what they’ve done.
“It was just great energy and emotion out of both teams [last meeting], so I would expect very similar here on Saturday night.”
Defense stepping up at the right time
Offense has been the biggest key to winning games for the Pioneers this season. But in the first half, defense was something of a concern as many of their opponents were able to match or overtake their output. Per Carle, his team ranked in the 40’s of over 60 teams in goals allowed per game in that half.
But in the second half and particularly since March, the team defense has seen a remarkable turnaround. And that has proven to be a good thing in the NCAA tournament because Denver has managed only two goals in each of its first three games leading up to the title tilt.
Denver had scored two goals this season only three teams before the tournament and lost all three. But they won both Springfield Regional games and the national semifinal against Boston University on Thursday all by 2-1 scores, a result of not only clutch scoring but also improved defensive effort.
“To have three straight games of two or less goals and to be 3-0 in the tournament, I think that goes to show the commitment that the players have,” Carle said.
Filling big shoes
Before Carle took over as Denver coach prior to the 2018-19 season, he had been serving as an assistant coach for several years after his own playing career was cut short due to a heart issue. It was legendary coach George Gwozdecky who brought him on board at first after initially recruiting him while the school honored the scholarship it offered so he could attend.
He eventually moved on to Green Bay of the USHL, but he was back in Denver less than two years later to continue as an assistant under Jim Montgomery, helping him win the program’s eighth title in 2017. Then when Montgomery moved on after the following season, Carle who ascended to the head role at the age of 28, and he’s been a big success. Carle credits Gwozdecky for his trust when he appointed him to his staff, and he’s incorporated that into his own style to keep up the program’s commitment to winning.
“George was great about [encouragement through opportunity and trust],” Carle said. “Something that certainly I try to replicate with my staff.”
Boston College defends its net during Thursday’s game against Michigan (photo: Jim Rosvold).
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Boston College plays Denver for the NCAA men’s hockey championship on Saturday. Here’s some of what the Eagles were saying on Friday.
Kid line
Boston College’s all-freshmen line of Gabe Perreault, Will Smith and Ryan Leonard has produced 119 goals and 196 points this season. That chemistry goes back to their time on the USA Hockey National Team Development Program from 2021 to 2023, where they often skated together.
“I think our (under) 18 year is what it really started to jell,” said Smith. “We were solidified as a line. From there we kind of ran with it. We haven’t really been separated since.”
“We clicked together pretty well,” said Perreault. “That made the transition easier for this year.”
“Their chemistry and the way they read each other makes it when they’re together, they’re kind of bigger than the sum of the parts,” said Boston College coach Greg Brown. “They just have a real feel for each other and where they’re going to be.
“We didn’t put them together the first two weeks of practice in September. We tried them in different kinds of combinations. One day, we did throw them together, and I was like, ‘Whoa.’”
That was then
Boston College and Denver met earlier this season, a 4-3 Pioneers win at Conte Forum on Oct. 21. Denver erased BC leads of 1-0 and 2-1 for the victory.
“I think it was the third game of the year,” said Eagles captain Eamon Powell. “They play a fast transition game. They’re a skilled team, just like us. It should be a great test to see how far we’ve come as a team from the start of the year.”
“Obviously, I think they’re the team that scored the most goals in college hockey this season,” said Perreault. “They have a good offense, but also a really good defense. It’s going to be a really good battle.”
“The game in October was exciting, a great hockey game,” said Brown. “(Denver coach) Dave (Carle) and I talked this morning about, we said (after the game in October), ‘Well, if we can both have good seasons, maybe we’ll see each other again,’ so it’s kind of exciting that that happened.”
Advice from Jerry
Prior to ascending to the head coaching role at Boston College, Brown was a longtime assistant to Jerry York, who retired two years ago with four national titles at BC. They speak frequently, including this week.
“We had dinner Tuesday night when we got here with the team,” said Brown. “(Jerry) is always so supportive and will shoot encouraging texts or calls or whatever.
“As far as advice, he’s been an open book the whole two years. It’s not new. It’s not like he’s jumping back in as we get to the tournament. But spending 14 years (as his assistant) and having the opportunity to be at these Frozen Fours several times with him, that’s helped.”
Brown said that his main takeaways from York are around staying true to his team’s culture.
“In general, he’s always been, when we went (to the Frozen Four) before, when he was the head coach, it was so important to stay true to our identity and be our best version of ourselves rather than trying to recreate your game depending on your opponent,” Brown said.
Tyler Walsh has been named head coach of the Gustavus Adolphus men’s hockey program.
Walsh becomes the 20th head coach in the history of the program, but just the fourth in the past 60 years.
“Tyler impressed the search committee, our administrators, and coaches during the interview process in many ways, but his leadership skills, high motivation, and work ethic really stood out,” Gustavus athletics director Tom Brown said in a statement. “As an up-and-coming head coach, Tyler is charismatic, collaborative, and has a strong family coaching pedigree with his father [Shawn Walsh, Maine] and grandfather [Ron Mason, Michigan State] having a great deal of success as college hockey coaches. We are excited to have Tyler lead our program into a new era of Gustavus men’s hockey.”
Walsh comes to Gustavus after serving as the assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator for six years at Colby. While at Colby, Walsh helped direct the Mules to the NESCAC playoffs in five of six seasons and recruited three All-American selections. After capturing the 2022 NESCAC regular-season championship, Walsh and the Colby coaches were named men’s ice hockey staff of the year by the conference.
“My family and I are excited to join the Gustavus community and contribute to the rich hockey program,” Walsh said. “I am extremely thankful and humbled by the opportunity to lead the Golden Gustie hockey program. I’d like to thank Tom Brown, Kari Eckheart, Jared Phillips, and everyone involved in the process for entrusting me with the opportunity to develop our players into leaders in the community as well as student-athletes both on and off the ice.
“It is humbling for me to know that I will be filling the shoes of former great coaches Brett Petersen and Don Roberts here at Gustavus. Our coaching staff will emphasize player development so we can play an exciting brand of hockey.”
Walsh got his start in coaching as a student assistant at Maine in 2011 and then at Canisius as the director of hockey operations for one season. He served as an assistant coach for USA Hockey’s NTDP from 2014 to 2016 and then was the head hockey coach and assistant athletic director at North Yarmouth Academy (Maine) for two years.
A 2013 graduate of Maine, Walsh and earned his master’s degree from Thomas College in 2023.
Walsh joins a Gustavus program that has claimed 14 MIAC regular-season championships and five playoff titles. The Gusties, who have made the NCAA tournament six times with a national runner-up finish in 2009, have an all-time record of 918-750-102 in 82 seasons.
Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini became the fourth freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award (photo: Jim Rosvold).
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The youngest player in college hockey is also the best player in college hockey, according to Hobey Baker Award voters.
Boston University freshman Macklin Celebrini was the 2024 winner of the Hobey Baker Award, announced Friday. At 17, he was the youngest player to win the award and was just the fourth freshman, following Paul Kariya (1993), Jack Eichel (2015) and last year’s winner, Adam Fantilli.
“I’m shaking right now,” said Celebrini. “It’s a surreal feeling to win this prestigious award. This is an honor to receive this and I’m truly humbled and grateful.”
The Vancouver, British Columbia, native tallied 32 goals and 32 assists in 38 games for the Terriers, whose season came to an end on Thursday in a 2-1 overtime loss to Denver in the Frozen Four.
“While we didn’t get to our goal, it was an amazing year,” said Celebrini. “As much on the ice as off the ice — all my teammates, my coaches, the staff that we had.
“Just amazing people that I was able to spend time with so I’m truly grateful for that opportunity.”
Celebrini thanked his coaches, teammates and family, including his brother Aiden, two years his senior but also a freshman for the Terriers.
“Same thing (for all of them), I couldn’t have done this without their support,” he said.
The Hobey Baker caps off a year for Celebrini that saw him named Hockey East player and rookie of the year as well as the recipient of the Tim Taylor Award for national rookie of the year.
“I’m really proud of him,” said BU coach Jay Pandolfo. “And, honestly, I’m not really surprised just because of what I saw from the second he stepped on our campus, his approach to the game, his preparation, how competitive he is, how he’s looking to get better every day, how much he cares about his teammates, how much he cares about winning. So it’s very impressive for a 17-year-old to do what he did this year.”
College hockey was always the path forward, according to Celebrini. He said it was an easy decision between college and major junior.
“It was more of a decision between which college was the right one for me,” he said. “(My year at BU) was really cool, being able to experience that every day with my brother and my whole team.”
No Hobey winner has ever gone No. 1 in the NHL draft but Celebrini is expected to change that in June. He’s at the top of the NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings.
When asked about his future plans, Celebrini said he hasn’t made up his mind.
“I haven’t really thought through it yet,” he said. “I’ve been more focused on this weekend.
“I don’t really know what’s going to go on in the next couple of months but it’s an exciting time and I’m looking forward to it.”
Penn State’s Dylan Lugris speaks after being named the 29th recipient of the Hockey Humanitarian Award (photo: Jim Rosvold).
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Penn State junior Dylan Lugris was named the 29th recipient of the Hockey Humanitarian Award on Friday at the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four.
Lugris was selected for his activities to help the State College Coyotes sled hockey association in Pennsylvania.
Lugris began by attending Coyotes practices and then encouraged teammates to join him.
To help make a difference for the struggling organization, Lugris came up with the idea of the Penn State Sled Hockey Classic to raise money and to grow awareness of the game.
Lugris and his teammates managed all of the preparation and logistics for the event.
Since the initial Penn State Sled Hockey Classic in February 2023, the Coyotes have more than doubled in roster size and have joined the Northeast Sled Hockey League. Lugris and his Penn State teammates have raised nearly $50,000 for the organization over the past year.
“It’s crazy how much it’s grown,” Lugris said. “We started with 10 people on the Coyotes. And they had jerseys that had taped-on numbers on the back and ragged sleds. They couldn’t play in a league. They couldn’t play in tournaments due to finances and travel issues. So after the first [Penn State Hockey Classic] they were able to join a league, play in tournaments, buy new sleds, sticks, jerseys, equipment, anything they needed.”
Lugris hoped those hearing his acceptance speech would be encouraged to pursue activities to help the community.
“I think what a lot of athletes don’t realize is that in their local communities, a lot of people really look up to them,” Lugris said. “They look up to you as if you were a professional athlete. And when you spend time with them, and you hang out and you do things like this, it really impacts them in a great way. I just encourage them to get out more and kind of make those memories for young kids and older people as well.”
Lugris said that participation with the Coyotes and the Penn State Sled Hockey Classic has greatly impacted his teammates and coaches.
“My teammates were all like, ‘We want to all be a part of it,'” Lugris said. We had guys doing reffing, we had guys doing PA announcing, score clock, coaching, playing, ushers. I think it just mirrors what our culture is all about, which is on and off the ice excellence.”
Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky has encouraged the team’s activity with the Coyotes.
“Oh, absolutely,” Lugris said. “Whenever he can make those Sunday skates for the sled hockey team, he’s always there.”
Ultimately, it was the resources Penn State provides that motivated Lugris and his fellow Nittany Lions.
“We don’t want anyone to feel like they can’t play this great game due to finances or physical disability,” said Lugris. “That’s our driving factor. And I think that continuing on for the future, it’s just going to get even bigger.”
Read more about the five finalists for the 2024 Hockey Humanitarian Award:
Former Wisconsin goalie Mike Richter, left, presents the 2024 Mike Richter Award to the Badgers’ Kyle McClellan (photo: Jim Rosvold).
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Kyle McClellan is the winner of the 2024 Mike Richter Award, given to the nation’s top Division I men’s goaltender.
McClellan beat out Colorado College’s Kaidan Mbereko and Boston College’s Jacob Fowler for the honor, which was presented Friday.
The senior netminder was simply marvelous this season, posting seven shutout victories and a .931 save percentage to lead the nation in both categories. He went 24-12-1 on the season with a 1.94 goals-against average.
McClellan, who was presented the award on-stage by Richter himself, was thrilled to be the first Badgers player to win the award — especially since Richter shined at Wisconsin himself from 1985 to 1987 before going to four NHL All-Star games and winning the 1994 Stanley Cup during a 15-year NHL career with the New York Rangers.
“It’s just pretty special as it is to win the award, but even more so after a former Badger, something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” an emotional McClellan said.
The 25-year-old goaltender was thankful for all the support he received to get to this point.
“They’re in the back, and they’re always out rooting for you,” McClellan said, referring to his dad, mom, stepmom, brother and girlfriend who were on hand to support him Friday along with his coaching staff and friends, and have always supported him.
Badgers coach Mike Hastings wasn’t surprised to see his goaltender come away with the award.
“I’m proud of him,” said Hastings, who just finished his first season behind the Wisconsin bench. “You saw the other two finalists, very worthy of being in that, but I do think Kyle did his part in earning that award through his play and through his conduct.”
McClellan is about to finish up school before joining the Minnesota Wild’s AHL affiliate the Iowa Wild for an amateur tryout.
As for next season in Madison, Hastings knows replacing McClellan won’t be easy.
“The one thing that he’s done is he’s provided an example,” Hastings said. “I’m sure there’s going to be some guys that will reach out to him and ask him, you know, part of his journey and how it was and what he was excited about and how it went for him. And hopefully knowing him, he’ll be more than willing to pick up the phone and answer any of those questions.”
Gavin Brindley has been a top player this season for the Wolverines (photo: Michigan Photography).
Fifteen different schools have players honored as CCM/AHCA Hockey All-Americans for the 2023-24 season.
The nation’s top 25 college hockey players were announced tonight during “Friday Night at the Frozen Four” in St. Paul, Minn.
Thirteen of the honorees came from this year’s Frozen Four semifinalists: Boston College (5), Denver (3), Michigan (3) and Boston University (2).
First Team East
Jacob Fowler, FR, Boston College, Goalie
Lane Hutson, SO, Boston University, Defense
Ryan Ufko, JR, UMass, Defense
Macklin Celebrini, FR, Boston University, Forward
Cutter Gauthier, SO, Boston College, Forward
Will Smith, FR, Boston College, Forward
First Team West
Kaidan Mbereko, SO, Colorado College, Goalie
Zeev Buium, FR, Denver, Defense
Seamus Casey, SO, Michigan, Defense
Jackson Blake, SO, North Dakota, Forward
Gavin Brindley, SO, Michigan, Forward
Jack Devine, JR, Denver, Forward
Second Team East
Ian Shane, JR, Cornell, Goalie
Gianfranco Cassaro, GR, Rochester Institute of Technology, Defense
John Prokop, SO, Union, Defense
Collin Graf, JR, Quinnipiac, Forward
Ryan Leonard, FR, Boston College, Forward
Liam McLinskey, JR, Holy Cross, Forward
Gabe Perreault, FR, Boston College, Forward
Second Team West
Kyle McClellan, SR, Wisconsin, Goalie
Dylan Anhorn, GR, St. Cloud State, Defense
Artyom Levshunov, FR, Michigan State, Defense
Noah Laba, SO, Colorado College, Forward
Rutger McGroarty, SO, Michigan, Forward
Massimo Rizzo, JR, Denver, Forward
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Friday’s festivities at the Men’s Frozen Four included handing out this season’s awards, including the Tim Taylor Award, the Mike Richter Award, the Hockey Humanitarian Award and the Hobey Baker Award. Here’s how it looked.
Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini was named the 2024 Hobey Baker SAward winner in his freshman season with the Terriers (photo: Jim Rosvold).
Luke Robinson played in 118 of 122 games at Air Force in his college hockey career (photo: Trevor Co/Air Force Athletics).
Air Force senior defenseman Luke Robinson has been named the winner of the 2024 Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award.
The award was established in honor of former Army West Point player Derek Hines, who was a “consummate team player and team builder.” Hines played at Army from 1999 to 2003 and was a four-year letter-winner as well as a co-captain his senior season. He was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 1, 2005 in Afghanistan.
Robinson is the seventh Atlantic Hockey player to receive the honor and the third player from Air Force, which is the most of any school in the award’s 18-year history.
“I am deeply honored to be named the 2024 recipient of the Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award,” Robinson said in a statement. “I am extremely grateful to the Hockey Commissioners Association and the members of the award selection committee for this prestigious accolade. First Lieutenant Derek Hines is a true American hero and to be recognized for an award in his name is something I will never forget.
“At the United States Air Force Academy, our hockey program is not just about sports; it is about embodying the core values of our institution and the ideals of service before self. Every player who wears the Air Force uniform carries the legacy of those who have come before us, and despite First Lieutenant Hines doing so at West Point and in the Army, his bravery, sacrifice, and legacy continue to inspire all within the USAFA Hockey community.
“Thank you to Coach Frank Serratore, the entire coaching staff, and my teammates, who have been my support system and true brothers on and off the ice throughout this journey. This award is a testament to the collective effort and dedication of our team, and I am humbled to accept it on behalf of all who have contributed to our success.
“I am proud to bring this award back to the Air Force Academy. It serves as a reminder of the profound responsibility that comes with representing our institution and the values it stands for. I will continue to strive to honor the legacy of First Lieutenant Derek Hines and all those who have served with distinction.”
Robinson is a two-year hockey team captain, as selected by his teammates. Prior to the 2023-24 academic year, Robinson was selected as the Academy’s Captain of Captains, representing the 27 intercollegiate programs to the Academy leadership, serving more than 1,000 cadet athletes. A three-time All-American Scholar, he carries a 3.96 cumulative grade-point average and will be going to graduate school after graduating from the academy with a degree in operations research.
On the ice, he played in 118 of the possible 122 career games and had four goals, 15 assists and 19 points. His 132 career blocked shots were the most of any active Falcon. Robinson played a key role on the Falcon penalty kill that finished sixth in the nation at 84.8%. As a senior, he recorded the best statistical season of his career with two goals, seven assists, nine points and 44 blocked shots. His plus-6 plus-minus rating in 2023-24 was the best among the Falcons defensemen.
“I’ve had the privilege of coaching some amazing human beings in my 25-plus years at the ccademy and Luke Robinson tops the list,” Serratore said. “Luke is the most selfless and caring player I’ve ever coached. His every action as a person is designed with others in mind. The quiet and humble way in which he consistently goes about his business is extraordinary to witness. Luke epitomizes all the qualities the Derek Hines Award stands for and represents. He is the ultimate teammate.”
The Nashville, Tenn., native earned the team’s Vic Heyliger Award and was a co-recipient of the Jim Bowman Scholar-Athlete Award. The Heyliger, voted on by the team, is the cornerstone of Air Force hockey. It is awarded to the player whose dedication, character, leadership and work ethic exemplifies Falcon hockey.
Robinson joins Army West Point’s Chase Podsiad (2008), Air Force’s Mike Phillipich (2009), Holy Cross’ Matt Vidal (2016), Air Force’s Dylan Abood (2018), AIC’s Jared Pike (2020) and Army West Point’s Noah Wilson (2024) as the seventh Atlantic Hockey player selected as the Hines Award winner, which is the most of any conference.
Macklin Celebrini scored 32 goals as a freshman at Boston University (photo: Jim Rosvold).
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini was announced as the 2024 Hobey Baker Award winner on Thursday.
Celebrini, a 17-year-old who was third nationally in scoring with 64 points and second with 32 goals, was the fourth Terriers player to win the award and first since Jack Eichel also won as a freshman in 2015.
He ranked first on a ballot that also produced Hat Trick finalists Cutter Gauthier of Boston College and Jackson Blake of North Dakota.
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 Friday from 6 until 7 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.
We recapped the Boston University-Denver and Boston College-Michigan semifinals and the Hobey Baker, Mike Richter, Tim Taylor, Derek Hines, and Hockey Humanitarian Awards as well as the 2024 All-Americans.
Here’s rest of the week’s schedule (all times Central):
Macklin Celebrini was an offensive force this season for BU (photo: Matt Woolverton).
Boston University freshman forward Macklin Celebrini has been named the recipient of the 2024 Tim Taylor Award, awarded annually upon the best first-year player in NCAA Division I men’s hockey by the Hockey Commissioners’ Association.
He is the fifth BU player to win this award. The others are goaltender Kieran Millan in 2009, forward Jack Eichel in 2015, forward Clayton Keller in 2017, and forward Joel Farabee in 2019.
The award is voted on by the nation’s assistant coaches and is named for the former Yale and U.S. Olympic Team head coach.
A native of Vancouver, B.C., Celebrini brought a line of 32-32-64 into the semifinals of the NCAA Frozen Four, ranking second in the nation in both goals per game and points per game. He was named most outstanding player of the NCAA regionals in Sioux Falls, S.D. Celebrini had multipoint games in each of the 6-3 BU wins (over RIT and Minnesota). He was the just the fourth player in Hockey East history to earn rookie of the year and player of the year honors in the same season.
Tim Taylor, for whom the award is named, spent 28 seasons at Yale and became the school’s winningest head coach as he collected 337 victories. His tenure spanned from 1976 to 2006, while taking two years on leave to coach the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team as an assistant coach in 1984 and as the head coach in 1994. Taylor was captain of the Harvard men’s hockey team before he graduated in 1963. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, serving as an assistant coach on the Crimson staff under Ralph “Cooney” Weiland and Bill Cleary before beginning his time with the Bulldogs.
The Hockey Commissioners Association sponsors this award, which results from a ballot containing each NCAA Division I hockey conference’s rookie of the year.
The runner-up for this year’s award was Denver freshman defenseman Zeev Buium.
Lane Hutson was stellar on the BU back end the past two seasons (photo: Harris Freeman).
Boston University sophomore defenseman Lane Hutson has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens.
Hutson, a second-round pick of the Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Draft, spent two spectacular seasons at BU. He totaled an impressive 97 points on 30 goals and 67 assists in 77 career games, which led all active NCAA defensemen. He recorded 49 points this past season on 15 goals and 34 assists, which bested his total of 48 points (15 goals, 33 assists) from the 2022-23 season which saw him claim Hockey East rookie of the year honors. Hutson finished his BU career plus-39, including a plus-30 mark in league play.
A native of North Barrington, Ill., Hutson is the 13th two-time first team All-American in BU history and the first since defenseman David Farrance did it in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Hutson was twice named a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, was a two-time Hockey East first team all-star and New England Division I all-star, and was also selected as New England’s top defenseman in both his seasons on Comm. Ave. He won the 2023 Walter Brown Award as the top American-born men’s college hockey player in New England and was also chosen as Hockey East and New England rookie of the year.
Not only did Hutson shine at BU, but he was also terrific on the international stage. He twice won a medal for the United States at the World Junior Championship, assisting on the OT winner in the 2023 bronze-medal game before helping Team USA win gold in January. He was named to the 2024 all-tournament team and selected as one of his country’s top three players after posting six assists and finishing plus-8. In addition, Hutson also represented Team USA at the 2023 Men’s World Championship.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Wisconsin’s Kyle McClellan was named the 2024 Mike Richter Award winner Friday as top goalie in Division I men’s hockey.
McClellan, a senior, led the country with a .931 save percentage and seven shutouts, helping the Badgers make the NCAA tournament a year after finishing in last place in the Big Ten.
He was the first Wisconsin goalie to win the Mike Richter Award, which is named for a former Badgers netminder.
McClellan was voted the winner from a group of three finalists that also included Boston College’s Jacob Fowler and Colorado College’s Kaidan Mbereko.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Boston University goalie Mathieu Caron made a remarkable save on Denver’s Aidan Thompson during the second period of Thursday’s NCAA Men’s Frozen Four semifinals. Here’s how it looked in photos from a camera in the catwalk of the Xcel Energy Center.
Cutter Gauthier and Ryan Leonard celebrate Gauthier’s breakaway goal for a 3-0 Boston College lead against Michigan in Thursday’s Frozen Four semifinals (photo: Brad Olson).
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Top-seeded Boston College is one stop closer to its first national title since 2012.
The Eagles, thanks to their high-octane offense and 14 NHL draft picks, have been the favorites for much of the season. And they showed why against Michigan, beating the Wolverines 4-0 in their Frozen Four semifinal game on Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center.
They’ll take on Denver in Saturday’s national title game — a rematch from back in October when Denver beat BC 4-3 in Chestnut Hill.
“Any time someone commits to Boston College, it’s to win championships,” BC’s Cutter Gauthier said. “And we have an opportunity for that on Saturday. I’m super proud of our group up to this point. We know about these guys after we played an earlier matchup at Conte Forum … unfortunately we didn’t win then, but since then we’ve had a sour taste in our mouth so we’re going to be ready to go on Saturday.”
For the Eagles (34-5-1), it was the usual cast of characters who delivered when it mattered most. Gauthier scored his nation-leading 38th of the season, Will Smith netted two goals and Jacob Fowler made 32 saves for his third shutout of the season. And despite being outshot by the Wolverines 32-22, the Eagles finished their chances when it mattered.
“We probably deserved more, but we lost to a really good Boston College team,” Michigan coach Brandon Naurato said. “I feel like we were good, we weren’t great. What we did in the third is probably more what we are. They have four elite, elite, elite players. Their top guys scored four goals, and that’s the first time all year we’ve been shut out. So there’s no secret to how they won the game. Those guys broke the game open. Those guys are studs.”
Michigan (23-14-3) came into the game with the No. 3 scoring offense in the country (behind BC’s No. 2) and two of the nation’s top-10 leading scorers in Gavin Brindley and Rutger McGroarty. But BC managed to hold them off the scoreboard despite being outshot.
“It was an interesting game,” BC coach Greg Brown said. “I thought we did a great job of capitalizing when we had chances, but Michigan did a great job coming out of their zone with a ton of speed, so even when we were ahead a few goals, it never felt like we were in control or the game was settled.”
The Eagles took a 1-0 lead early in the game, a highlight-reel goal from their vaunted freshman line. Gabe Perreault picked up a loose puck deep in his own zone and hit Ryan Leonard with a cross-ice stretch pass deep behind the Michigan defense. Smith also snuck in behind the Michigan defenders and easily beat Michigan goaltender Jake Barczewski to finish off the bang-bang-bang play just 1 minute, 20 seconds into the game.
Despite that early deficit, Michigan seemed to control the pace of the game and had a few more grade A scoring chances.
The Wolverines outshot the Eagles 9-6 in the first 20 minutes, with Fowler flashing some nice leather a few times to keep it scoreless.
“Going into every game, it’s nice having him back there,” Smith said of Fowler. “He has such a confidence in net. We probably gave up a few too many odd-man rushes, so having him back there helped. He had 32 saves, he was just unreal in net.”
The turning point came in the second period when Michigan’s top-ranked power play got a chance to go to work. The Wolverines, who came into the game having converted on 34.5% of their power plays, had their first real chance on the man advantage when Gauthier was called for interference about five minutes into the middle frame. Michigan had two decent looks but one was blocked and the other went wide; it was not able to convert.
Michigan’s failure to convert on that power play chance haunt it later in the period. Although the Wolverines got their second power play a few minutes later when BC’s Drew Fortescue was called for a trip, that chance was short-lived. About 30 seconds after Fortescue went into the box, Michigan’s Dylan Duke was also whistled for a trip, negating the power play and opening up a lot of 4-on-4 ice for the dangerous Eagles offense.
BC made Michigan pay. First, Smith scored a goal that is the definition of “lucky bounce” when he skated around behind the Michigan goal and sent the puck into the slot for what was an attempt at a centering pass. However, the puck missed its intended target (Gauthier) and instead hit a Michigan defender before trickling in between Barczewski’s legs.
Less than a minute later, BC struck again. This time, Gauthier stripped the puck from a Michigan defender at the blue line and took it coast-to-coast for a no-doubter to make it 3-0.
Perreault put the finishing touches on the win early in the third period. Five minutes into the final frame, the freshman scored an unassisted wraparound goal to make it 4-0 and earn his third point, adding to the two assists he had on earlier goals.
Brown said it wasn’t until the Eagles went up 4-0 that they were able to breathe a little bit defensively.
“I thought the third period when we were ahead, we started to simplify our game, play a little safer, use the walls a little more, and we were able to do a nice job there keeping pucks out of the middle and spending more time not scrambling in our zone,” Brown said.
That’s not to say Michigan didn’t have its chances to get back in the game late. The Wolverines outshot the Eagles 17-8 in the third, and had one final power play opportunity midway through the period. However, none of their scoring chances seemed to be true threats to the Eagles.
“I was really happy with probably the second half, maybe second, probably 12, 13 minutes left in the third, we did a great job of really limiting their chances to come back and get in the game,” Brown said.
The win was BC’s 34th of the season, a program record. The Eagles will attempt to win their first NCAA championship since 2012, when the Johnny Gaudreau-led team beat Ferris State in the title game.
Smith said he has vivid memories of watching that team lift a trophy, and now the Lexington, Mass., native has the chance to do the same on Saturday.
“If you told me as a kid, this would be kind of crazy,” the 19-year old freshman said. “I remember the days I was watching Johnny Gaudreau in the Frozen Four. So it’s a dream come true. It would be unbelievable to get that trophy just like he did.”
Boston College’s Will Smith scores one of his two goals past Michigan’s Jake Barczewski during Thursday’s game (photo: Brad Olson).
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Early on, it looked like the Michigan Wolverines were up to the challenge despite facing the tournament’s top overall seed and falling behind in a hurry.
But once the deep and powerful Boston College Eagles got going halfway through the game, Michigan couldn’t respond and its pursuit of a 10th championship and first since 1998 came to a halt in a 4-0 defeat Thursday at Xcel Energy Center.
Meanwhile, the pursuit of a sixth title remains alive and well for the Hockey East regular-season and tournament champion Eagles, who have won 15 games in a row and 20 of their last 21.
They were outshot 32-22 by the Wolverines, but it always felt like Boston College was in control as it jumped on its opportunities.
“I thought we did a great job of capitalizing when we had chances,” BC coach Greg Brown said.
It didn’t take long for BC to make its presence felt as it scored just 1:20 into the contest with Will Smith converting on a 2-on-1 with Ryan Leonard. But Michigan ended up outshooting the Eagles 9-6 for the period and even had more chances, so the Wolverines wouldn’t go away quietly initially.
That is, until Smith, Hobey Baker Award finalist Cutter Gauthier and the mighty Eagles offense took control in the second period. Smith’s second goal, 24th of the season and nation-leading 71st point somehow went in from behind the net when his shot pinballed off both ankles of Michigan defenseman Ethan Edwards and through the five-hole of Jake Barczewski.
Then Gauthier scored his 38th goal of the season on a breakaway just 49 seconds later at 13:14, making it a 3-0 BC lead in a hurry and leaving the shellshocked Wolverines in a hole they couldn’t climb out of.
Gabe Perrault joined the fun with an easy-looking wraparound goal early in the third, basically summing up how easy his team has made it look at times this season. While young, they’re a skilled group.
“We’ve said many times we’re a very competitive group with a lot of high octane on the offensive side,” said Gauthier. “It’s just the confidence we had that we built up over the last eight, nine months in practice and competing against the best players in the country.”
Now the nation’s second most powerful offense (4.59 goals per game entering the Frozen Four) moves on to face the only team ahead of them in that department: Denver, a 2-1 overtime winner over Boston University earlier Thursday.
The Pioneers and Eagles met on Oct. 21 in Chestnut Hill, with DU handing BC its first loss of the season 4-3. It was one of two instances over the entire season where Boston College blew a third-period lead — it won its other 25.
“We’ve improved a lot,” Brown said when asked about that previous meeting. “Both teams are creating offense. And when you play against a team that’s that gifted offensively you know you have to manage the puck because if you give them free chances they’re going to make you pay.”
Michigan’s Garrett Schifsky runs into goalie Jake Barczewski during Thursday’s game against Boston College (photo: Jim Rosvold).
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Michigan Wolverines have faced adversity all season, according to coach Brandon Naurato, and Thursday’s 4-0 Frozen Four semifinal loss to Boston College was another example.
Down an early goal, Michigan responded by controlling play for much of the first period and for long stretches throughout, outshooting the Eagles 32-22, including 17-8 in the third period.
“(There was) adversity this year with the injuries and then having to fight for (everything),” said Naurato. “I felt like we were in the playoffs since the Christmas break and (I’m) super proud of the guys for the run that they went on and what we put together.”
Michigan couldn’t solve BC goalie Jacob Fowler, and the potent Wolverines power play never got going. The game turned on a Michigan penalty that negated a Wolverines power play, followed by two quick 4-on-4 goals by BC.
“It’s not an excuse or disclaimer but the turning point in that game is (when) one of their players trips over Dylan (Duke’s) skate and now it’s 3-0. We really had two power plays and we had extended possession both times and their guy made a ton of big-time saves.”
But Michigan never quit, according to forwards Gavin Brindley and Rutger McGroarty.
“You’re fighting for the end of your season,” said Brindley. “We were talking in the locker room (after the second period) to give a good push and see what happens. I’m extremely proud of the push we made and unfortunately, it didn’t go our way. But it was a hard third period.”
“It’s been our team all year,” said McGroarty. “We’ve battled day in, day out. There wasn’t a doubt in our minds (that we could come back). Even going into the third period, down three, there wasn’t a doubt in our mind.
“We’ve been doing it all year. This team went through so much adversity. There was no quit in this team. I feel like we just couldn’t buy one tonight.”
“I feel like we were good,” said Naurato. “We weren’t great. What we did in the third is probably more of what we are.”
Boston College’s Jacob Fowler makes a save against Michigan on Thursday (photo: Jim Rosvold).
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Here are five numbers to know from Boston College’s 4-0 win over Michigan in Thursday’s Frozen Four late semifinal game:
Three goose eggs
Boston College goalie Jacob Fowler notched his third shutout of the season in the win over Michigan on Thursday. Fowler has a .926 save percentage heading into the championship game, currently fourth in the nation.
The shutout was a turnaround from the .867 save percentage Fowler had in a 5-4 overtime win against Quinnipiac in the Providence Regional final.
32 wins
It was also Fowler’s 32nd win of his rookie campaign, tying him for sixth all-time for wins in a season. If Fowler wins a national championship for BC on Saturday, he’ll move into a tie for fourth with Marty Turco’s junior and senior years at Michigan.
Out of reach is second place, held by Quinnipiac’s Yaniv Perets last season, and Turco’s 1995-96 sophomore season at 34 wins.
Minnesota State’s Dryden McKay stands atop the season wins record at 38 in 2021-22.
32 shots
Michigan outshot Boston College 32-22 in the contest, including 17-8 in the third period.
BC has shown all season that it can still win despite being outshot. The Eagles improved to 13-3-1 this season when their opponents have more shots on net than them. The Wolverines had been 19-5-1 coming into Thursday’s game when outshooting their opponents.
38 goals for the tie
Cutter Gauthier’s second-period goal upped his total to 38 on the season. That puts him in a three-way tie with Hobey Baker Award winner David Emma (1989-90) and former BC captain Scott Harlow (1985-86) for the BC season record.
Gauthier is the first player to reach 38 goals in a season since Ryan Potulny did it for Minnesota in 2005-06.
71 and counting
Boston College’s Will Smith increased his season point total to 71 with his two goals in Thursday’s semifinal.
Smith is the first player — and first freshman — to reach 71 since Kyle Connor did it in his lone season at Michigan in 2015-16. Boston University’s Jack Eichel also tallied 71 points in 2014-15 in his one-and-done year.
Denver’s Tristan Broz, left, celebrates his overtime goal against Boston University on Thursday (photo: Jim Rosvold).
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Playing less than 30 minutes away from his Bloomington, Minn., hometown, Denver’s Tristan Broz made the most of a big moment on Thursday.
Broz ripped a low, hard shot through the legs of Boston University goaltender Matthew Caron at 11:09 of overtime to send Denver to Saturday’s national title game with a 2-1 victory at the Xcel Energy Center.
Denver is searching for its record 10th national championship and second in three years.
Broz’s game winner began at the opposite end of the ice. Boston University failed to get the puck deep on a rush and the puck hit off the stick of Devin Kaplan. Denver’s Sean Behrens made a quick pass to Broz that began and odd-man rush. From there, Broz executed what he practiced just a day earlier.
“We ran that drill yesterday doing 2-on-1s and a few times I scored, just kind of no-look, trying to shoot five-hole,” said Broz, who played his freshman season of college hockey at nearby Minnesota before transferring to Denver last offseason. “And just kind of blacked out in that moment and it happened to go in.”
The resulting goal set off a celebration for the Pioneers as they won their third straight one-goal 2-1 decision in the NCAA tournament.
Denver had to handle significant early pressure from Boston University. The Terriers outshot Denver 10-3 in the opening period and had a significant advantage in quality chances.
They eventually potted one of those chances short-handed at 7:45 of the first.
Kaplan flicked a quick pass to Luke Tuch that sent him past the Pioneers defense on a breakaway. Tuch ripped a shot up high for his first career short-handed goal.
By the midway point of the game, BU had limited Denver to just six total shots on goal but never extended the lead.
“The first period we played very well,” said BU coach Jay Pandolfo. “We shot ourselves in the foot not to [continue to] play behind them. It’s been a little bit of an issue all year in the second period, not being able to put teams away.”
As Denver began to feel comfortable in the game, it established its forecheck and eventually forced a mental mistake by All-American defenseman Lane Hutson.
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 Tristan 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 injected the life that Denver needed, 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 was going to 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.
It was in that final period that Boston University got into penalty trouble, three times heading to the box. Though the penalty kill was sharp and finished a perfect 4-for-4, Denver’s possession time increased and the Terriers struggled to find quality opportunities.
Denver remained disciplined all night and Boston University never got an opportunity on the power play.
“We spent the better part of three practices talking about [Macklin] Celebrini and [Lane] Hutson on the power play and how to defend that,” said Denver coach David Carle. “To not have to see that I think was a big factor in the victory.”
With those man advantages mounting for Denver, Caron continued to save the day for the Terriers, 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 Celebrini with 3:33 left and ripped it off the inside of the post. That was one of the final great looks the Terriers had.
The loss ended the Terriers’ season in the national semifinal for the second straight season. It did not, though, take away from the growth Pandolfo felt his team has made in that time.
“I really feel for our seniors,” said Pandolfo. “They’ve done a great job the last two years re-establishing the culture of what it means to be a Terrier.
