Friday's NCAA Regional Recap (#549)

Plus, a top prospect could be headed to Michigan State, recent pro signings, and more

Photo: Bentley Athletics

Manchester Regional Recap

Boston College 3, Bentley 1

James Hagens’ goal with 1:17 left was the game-winner for Boston College, which held on to defeat Bentley 3-1 on Friday in the Manchester Regional.

The game was tied, 1-1, with under two minutes left and Bentley had a flurry of chances (and a stretch of possession) right before BC scored.

“There wasn’t any frustration,” BC forward Ryan Leonard said. “Look at our whole year, we always found a way to come out on top in those types of games. We knew it would go in at some point. It was a matter of time. Their goalie played outstanding, and their entire team was selling out blocking shots. They played a helluva game. We’ve gotten very good at having patience. We knew we’d crack one.”

Gabe Perreault scored the first goal of the game late in the first period, which gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Ethan Leyh found the net for Bentley on the power play early in the second period to tie the score.

“Coming here three years ago. Having surgery, Andy coming in here, this was the best two years of my life,” Leyh said after the game. “I’ve never felt more love and belief from a team. To compete with these brothers, I’ll never forget it. I get emotional thinking about it, because I don’t think I’ll ever get this again.”

Ryan Leonard added an empty-netter after Hagens’ goal to make the score 3-1.

Bentley goalie Connor Hasley made 41 saves and the Falcons blocked 20 shots.

“We knew they would be sound defensively,” BC coach Greg Brown said. “We knew they were very good and could create chances in 1-on-1 situations through the neutral zone. That’s how it played out.”

Added Bentley coach Andy Jones: “My heart could not be filled with more pride for our hockey team. We left every, single, thing, we had on the ice. I don't know if I've ever been more proud of them than I am tonight.”

Denver 5, Providence 1

Denver rolled to a 5-1 win over Providence in Manchester. The Pioneers scored the first four goals of the game, including a fluky goal from Connor Caponi just 2:25 into the game when Philip Svedebäck misplayed a puck behind his own net.

“They wanted to have a great start,” Denver coach David Carle said. “We get that first goal off an odd bounce. It’s frustrating when it happens to you. We’ll never complain about going up 1-0 on a goal like that. I didn’t like our first 7-8 minutes, but we started to manage the puck better after that.”

The Pioneers went 1 for 5 on the power play. Matt Davis made 30 saves.

“Tip your hat to Denver,” said PC coach Nate Leaman. “They played a much more mature, simple game than we did tonight. Their experience showed within the game.”

Allentown Regional Recap

Connecticut 4, Quinnipiac 1

In its first NCAA Tournament, game, Connecticut topped in-state rival Quinnipiac, 4-1, in Allentown on Friday.

The Huskies had a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period off goals from Hugh Larkin and Ethan Gardula.

Jeremy Wilmer briefly cut the deficit to 2-1 midway through the second period, but Tristan Frazier scored four minutes later to put the Huskies back on top by two goals.

Joey Muldowney added an empty-net goal — his 28th of the season — to seal the win.

Callum Tung was one of the stars for the Huskies. The freshman goalie made 21 saves and had 1.6 GSAx in the contest.

Penn State 5, Maine 1

Maine scored four minutes into the game to take an early lead, but Penn State scored one minute later to tie the score and ultimately scored five unanswered goals in a 5-1.

Penn State scored twice on the power play in the first period and went 2 for 5 in the game.

Arsenii Sergeev made 26 saves for the Nittany Lions.