Boston College and Michigan join Boston University and Denver at 2024 Men’s Frozen Four

Two great hockey games sent two more teams to the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four.

Two historic programs overcame tough matchups, one against a huge rival, and punched their tickets to St. Paul.

Providence Regional

Lucky break helps Boston College

In a fantastic battle between the defending champions and a team loaded with future NHL talent, it was Boston College who received a fortunate break, beating Quinnipiac 4-3 in overtime.

The two teams played hard and fast on Sunday, but neither side was able to find the back of the net in the first 20 minutes, despite the Eagles and Bobcats combining for 25 shots on goal.

However, the dam broke in the middle frame. Quinnipiac struck first, scoring twice in 35 seconds, as Jacob Quillan and Ilvari Rasanen gave the reigning champions the lead. Yet, BC wasted little time responding, as Washington Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard scored 26 seconds after Rasanen.

Andre Gasseau–a Boston Bruins pick–tied the game at two a little past the halfway mark of the period. The Bobcats quickly answered, as Christophe Fillion’s second goal of the weekend placed Quinnipiac back on top with just a few minutes remaining in the period. Yet, the Eagles would not go away, with Leonard scoring on the power play, his fourth in the regional.

After Quillan scored his second of the game 16 seconds in the third, it looked like the Bobcats were going to be able to hold onto the lead. However, a nice setup from Anaheim Ducks prospect Cutter Gauthier let to Dallas Stars draft pick Aram Minnetian scoring the equalizer with less than five minutes to play in regulation, and the game would need overtime.

While the Bobcats had won their last two national tournament games in extra time, their luck ran out. Minutes into the OT, following a save by Quinnipiac goaltender Vinny Duplessis, Fillion tried to clear the puck away, but it landed right on the stick of Jack Malone, and the Vancouver Canucks prospect put into the open net to give BC the win.

It is the 26th time in program history that the Eagles are heading to the Frozen Four, and the first time since 2016.

Gauthier, Lightning pick Eamon Powell and Bruins prospect Oskar Jellvik ended up with a pair of assists in the win. Goaltender Jacob Fowler made 26 saves in the win.

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Maryland Heights Regional

Michigan beats Michigan State in historic matchup

It was the first time the Wolverines and Spartans had met in the national tournament. Despite losing four straight games to MSU, including in the Big Ten Championship Game, Michigan came away with a 5-2 win.

It was a very physical game between the rivals, as would be expected. The Spartans cashed in first on the power play just past the six-minute mark of the opening frame, as Gavin O’Connell deflected in a Matt Basgall point shot.

MSU managed to take the lead into the second period, but New Jersey Devils draft pick Ethan Edwards, who missed months of the season due to injury, scored his third goal of the campaign to make it 1-1.

The Wolverines then turned their A-game on in the third period just like they did in the regional semifinal. Marshall Warren gave Michigan its first lead of the game early in the third period, and while Joey Larson tied the game for MSU with a power play goal, Michigan roared back with two goals 12 seconds apart. After Dylan Duke scored his 25th goal of the season, a highlight-reel setup from Chicago Blackhawks prospect Frank Nazar set up the Big Ten Player of the Year, Gavin Brindley, for his 25th goal on the year.

Duke–a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect– later tipped in a Brindley point shot for his fourth goal of the weekend, capping off the victory, and sending the Wolverines to the Frozen Four for the third straight season.

Edwards ended up with three points, while Brindley and TJ Huges also amassed two points.

It will be the 28th Frozen Four appearance for Michigan, as the program searches for a record 10th national championship.

Three Stars

1. Dylan Duke, F, Michigan (Tampa Bay Bay Lightning): Duke had a dominant weekend for the Wolverines. After scoring two goals against North Dakota on Friday, the junior potted two more, amassing three points against Michigan State, and five points in the regional.
2. Ryan Leonard, F, Boston College (Washington Capitals): Although he might not have posted four points as he did against Michigan Tech, Leonard played a huge part in BC’s regional final win, scoring twice and causing havoc all around the ice against Quinnipiac.
3. Jake Barczewski, G, Michigan: When going head-to-head against a top goaltender like Detroit Red Wings draft pick Trey Augustine, again, the O’Fallon, Missouri native came up big close to home, making 36 saves against the Spartans.

For the full schedule and bracket, go to NCAA.com