Hockey East Magazine by Hockey East Association

"THANK

YOU TO OUR PLAYERS, COACHES, FANS, AND PARTNERS FOR MAKING THIS SEASON SO SPECIAL."

As the 2024-25 Hockey East season comes to a close, we reflect on another unforgettable year filled with competition, achievement, and growth. This season brought record-breaking performances, historic milestones, and continued excellence from Hockey East programs.

The men’s and women’s tournaments once again delivered thrilling action and showcased the depth of talent across the league. Boston University claimed its first Hockey East Women’s Championship since 2015, tying Northeastern for the most Bertagna Trophies in conference history. On the men’s side, Maine returned to the top of the mountain, securing its first league title in two decades and reaffirming its place among college hockey’s most storied programs.

Hockey East teams also set new records in non-conference play, posting a .715 winning percentage—the highest in league history— surpassing the previous record of .705 set in 2002-03. With a 75-29-3 record against other conferences and a winning mark against four of the other five leagues, Hockey East once again proved itself as the most competitive conference in the country.

It was a year highlighted by memorable moments, including Northeastern earning their 20th Women’s Beanpot title in front of a packed TD Garden and a record-tying six Hockey East men’s teams earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Our players shone on the national and international stage, continuing to prove why Hockey East remains the premier conference in college hockey.

Off the ice, this season saw new partnerships, growing fan engagement, and an ever-expanding presence at the professional level. Hockey East alumni continue to leave their mark, from the NHL to the PWHL, and our programs remain at the forefront of developing the next generation of hockey talent.

As we look ahead, Hockey East remains committed to fostering excellence, innovation, and the growth of the game we all love. Thank you to our players, coaches, fans, and partners for making this season so special. We can’t wait to show you what’s next.

Allison Ouellette Graduate Intern

Boston College and Maine battled for the regular season trophy in the final weekend of the regular season. With BC’s regulation win over Merrimack (6-0) on March 8 they secured their 19th and second consecutive regular season championship. The program went unbeaten for the final six games of the regular season and sustained their #1 national ranking.

UConn and Boston University faced off in the final weekend of the regular season, separated by just five points and setting up a winnertakes-all scenario for the top seed in the tournament. UConn won both games and managed to secure their second consecutive regular season title. With the win they clinched the one-seed, home ice for the Hockey East Tournament, and an opening round bye. The two programs ended the regular season separated by just a single point.

REGULAR SEASON AWARDS

ARMY ROTC DEFENDER OF THE YEAR

TAMARA GIAQUINTO BOSTON UNIVERSITY

SCORING CHAMPION

REICHEN KIRCHMAIR PROVIDENCE

BEST DEFENSIVE FORWARD HANNAH JOHNSON PROVIDENCE

THREE STARS AWARD GRACE CAMPBELL BOSTON COLLEGE

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD RAICE SZOTT MERRIMACK

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

REICHEN KIRCHMAIR

PROVIDENCE

Kirchmair led Hockey East in goals (15) and points (30), the first Providence player to win the scoring crown since 2002-03, the league’s inaugural season. Her plus-17 rating was secondbest among all league skaters in 27 games, while her 3 game-winning goals were third-most in conference play. In 35 overall games, no league player had more than Kirchmair’s 19 goals and 37 points. Four of her goals were the game-winning strike, second-most of any skater in Hockey East. Her plus-20 overall rating was the best in the conference and the junior compiled all those statistics while taking just two penalties. She was the lone unanimous selection to the All-Hockey East First Team.

PRO AMBITIONS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

CLAIRE MURDOCH

UCONN

Murdoch was unanimously voted as Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Year after leading all Hockey East first-years in goals (12), points (24), shots (91), game-winning goals (3), and power-play goals (3). Her plus-20 rating in league games was the best of any conference skater and her 12 assists were second-most among rookies. Among all league players, she was fifth in goals, points, and shots on net in 27 league contests. Overall, Murdoch has posted 13 goals and 39 points, both seventh in Hockey East while her 102 shots on net is tied for eighth and her plus-19 rating is good for second. Murdoch did not take a single penalty in 35 games played.

NIGHT SHIFT ACADEMIC CHAMPION

ELISE MORPHY

MAINE

Morphy is a two-time captain and has maintained a 4.0 GPA over five years at the University of Maine, majoring in pre-med Biology. She’s a four-time recipient of the university’s top GPA award in the School of Biology and Ecology and has earned Hockey East All-Academic Team honors each year, including Top Scholar status and Distinguished Scholar in 2023-24. She also scored in the top 2% on the MCAT. On the ice, Morphy was named Hockey East Defender of the Month in December 2023, is a two-time Defender of the Week, and entered the 2024-25 season as the fourth-highest scoring active defender in Hockey East. She’s totaled 12 goals and 36 assists for 48 points across a Maine-record 157 games played. Off the ice, she volunteers at Dirigo Pines assisted living facility as part of the UMaine BARD Institute and serves as a research assistant. She also tutors student-athletes through Maine’s Academic Support Services and helps coach practices and learn-to-skate sessions with the Maine Inferno girls’ hockey program.

COACH OF THE YEAR

CHRIS MACKENZIE

UCONN

MacKenzie repeats as Hockey East Coach of the year after leading the Huskies to their second-consecutive Hockey East regular season crown. Boasting a 19-6-2 record in league play, he tied the program record for wins in Hockey East play (2023-24) and claimed the regular season title in dramatic fashion. MacKenzie’s Huskies allowed the fewest goals in Hockey East play for the second year in a row, just 38 in 27 games played. UConn’s save percentage of .936 is the sixth-best in the country. In Hockey East play, MacKenzie’s squad led several categories, including goals against average (1.40), save percentage (.944), shots on net (840), power-play opportunities allowed (59), face-offs won (762), and face-off winning percentage (56.7%).

REGULAR SEASON AWARDS

BEST DEFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN EAMON POWELL

BOSTON COLLEGE

SCORING CHAMPION

RYAN LEONARD BOSTON COLLEGE

GLADIATOR CUSTOM MOUTHGUARD'S BEST DEFENSIVE FORWARD HUDSON SCHANDOR UCONN

THREE STARS AWARD

RYAN LEONARD BOSTON COLLEGE

LEN CEGLARSKI SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HUDSON SCHANDOR UCONN

CHARLIE HOLT

TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD MASSACHUSETTS MINUTEMEN

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

RYAN LEONARD

BOSTON COLLEGE

Leonard, named a First Team All-American and the Hockey East Player of the Year, became the first college hockey player to score 30 goals in back-to-back season since 2010-11. The Amherst, Mass. native has led the NCAA in goals (30) and game-winning goals (9) and sits second in shots on goal (191) and fourth in plus-minus (+30). His 49 overall points were 10th in the nation and he led the Eagles back to the NCAA Tournament.

Leonard became the 15th Eagle to be named Hockey East Player of the Year and the first Boston College skater since Johnny Gaudreau was so honoted two years in a row from 2012-14. He paced Hockey East in a number of categories in league play, including goals (25), points (37), points per game (1.54), shots (116), game-winning goals (8), and plus-minus (+25). He is just the second skater to reach the 25-goal mark in league play since 2000-01 when Brian Gionta hit the milestone and Cutter Gautheir did so last season. He was twice named Hockey East Player of the Month (November, January) and National Player of the Month in November and collected four Hockey East Player of the Week accolades.

PRO AMBITIONS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

COLE HUTSON

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Hutson is the third consecutive Terrier to be named Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Year following Macklin Celebrini and Lane Hutson and is the 13th overall player from Boston University to claim top freshman honors, the most all-time. Hutson scored more points (29) than any other first-year skater in Hockey East play while his 21 assists were tops in the league. Among his classmates in 24 league contests, Hutson was third in shots on net (68), tied for second in power-play goals (3) and game-winning goals (2), and was third in blocks (23). No rookie in the country has more points than Hutson’s 39 overall points and 27 assists while his 96 shots on net sit 12th in the NCAA among all freshmen skaters. His four game-winning goals are also second-most of any rookie in the country.

COACH OF THE YEAR

MIKE CAVANAUGH

UCONN

Cavanaugh, the only UConn head coach in its Hockey East-era, is the first Husky bench boss to win the Bob Kullen Award. He guided his squad to a fourth-place finish in the Army ROTC Hockey East Standings, tying the highest-ever finish for UConn after being picked to finish eighth in the preseason poll. The Huskies posted a 12-8-4 record in league play while scoring the third-most goals (76) of any Hockey East program through the 24-game season and the best power-play percentage in the league (28.4%). The Huskies also led the nation in shorthanded goals, scoring nine times while at a manpower disadvantage.

NIGHT SHIFT ACADEMIC CHAMPION

OWEN COLE

UMASS LOWELL

The award was created in 2024 honoring outstanding accomplishments from one men’s and one women’s player both on the ice and in the classroom. Cole, who served as captain of the River Hawks this season, has set a career high with 20 points on eight goals and 12 assists through 35 games. Off the ice, he has maintained a 3.76 GPA while majoring in Exercise & Fitness Management, a course load that requires both lab and clinical hours in addition to UMass Lowell’s standard academic coursework. Throughout the 2024-25 season, Cole would lead his River Hawks in practice before commuting to Wilmington, Mass. for clinical rotations. He is scheduled to graduate this spring Magna Cum Laude. Cole is also a visible presence on the UMass Lowell campus and throughout the community. The senior forward is active with the River Hawk’s Team Impact teammate, Owen, and founded a 5K charity race to raise awareness for the program and the work Team Impact does. He also participates in the UMass Lowell Pen Pal Program which pairs student-athletes with local elementary school children throughout the year.

From the Ice to Impact: Charlie McAvoy and Service Credit Union Team Up

By Chris Banker

for a Winning Cause

Charlie McAvoy’s journey from standout defenseman at Boston University to star for the city’s NHL organization is a testament to his dedication, leadership ability, and passion for the game. A product of Hockey East, McAvoy’s time with the Terriers helped shape him into the player and person that he is today. Now, through an innovative and exciting partnership, McAvoy is leveraging his platform to make a meaningful difference in greater New England – a mission close to his heart.

McAvoy and the New Hampshire-based Service Credit Union have teamed up for the 73 Reasons to Give Back campaign, aiming to support New England’s first responders. The effort emphasizes the critical need for heart disease and cancer screenings among police officers and firefighters – dangers often overlooked and, at times, not covered by insurance. Service CU has pledged donations for every shot blocked and shutout by McAvoy’s team, contributing to a total donation of over $250,000 in 2024 alone. Four of the screenings completed through the initiative have led to early cancer detection.

Service Credit Union is dedicated to helping members achieve financial well-being with personalized service, competitive products, and community support. The 73 Reasons campaign and partnership with McAvoy aligns with this mission by highlighting the importance of defending our first responder heroes and providing them with potentially life-saving services. Just as McAvoy brings strength and reliability to the ice, Service CU strives to provide the same level of dedication and trust to members each day.

“Charlie’s commitment to teamwork and giving back aligns perfectly with our values,” said Jaime Yates, Assistant Vice President of Community Development. “It’s extremely rewarding to see the good that has come from this partnership and just how impactful the support for our first responders has been. I hope we’re inspiring people to come together and make a difference in the lives of others.”

His time at Boston University instilled values of selflessness and community that he now channels on and off the ice. As demonstrated with 73 Reasons, McAvoy is continuing a tradition of giving back and fostering a culture of community and generosity rooted in his Hockey East legacy.

RICHTER AWARD GOES TO FOWLER

Boston College sophomore Jacob Fowler was named as the winner of this year’s Mike Richter Award. The honor is given annually to the top goalie in men’s NCAA Division I ice hockey. Fowler, who was runner-up a year ago in his freshman season, is the second Boston College goaltender to win this award, the other being Thatcher Demko, the recipient in 2016. The announcement was made during the NCAA’s “Friday Night at the Frozen Four” by the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA), sponsor of the award.

In 2024-25, Fowler finished with 1.63 goals against average, a .940 save percentage, and seven shutouts, all of which are in the top three among goaltenders in the country. His 1.63 goals against average this season is the lowest ever by a BC goaltender who played a minimum of 15 games. Finishing with a 25-7-2 record in 35 games played, Fowler’s seven shutouts are the third-most ever by a BC goaltender in a single season, and second in Division I this year.

He posted a 14-4-1 record against ranked opponents, including shutouts against Michigan State, Maine, Providence, and Boston University. In league play, Fowler put up a historic 1.59 goals against average and .945 save percentage on his way to earning Hockey East Goaltender of the Year and Hockey East First Team All-Star honors for the secondstraight season as well as being the runner-up for the league’s Player of the Year award.

ALBIN BOIJA

Maine’s sophomore netminder was named as one of four finalists for the Richter Award. Boija earned a 1.82 GAA (fourth in the nation) and a save percentage of .928. His record was 24-8-6 with four shutouts, leading , leading Maine to a #3 PairWise ranking.

AWARD HISTORY

The Mike Richter award was established in 2014 to honor the top goaltender in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey. Named after legendary New York Rangers and University of Wisconsin goaltender Mike Richter, the award recognizes the best college hockey goalie based on performance, skill, leadership, and academic standing. NHL Hall of Famer Richter was instrumental in the creation of the award, which is presented by the Hockey Commissioners Association in partnership with Let’s Play Hockey and the Herb Brooks Foundation. Each year, the award is voted on by members of the national media, professional scouts, coaches, and USA Hockey representatives.

COLE HUTSON RECIEVES TIM TAYLOR AWARD

Boston University freshman defenseman Cole Hutson has been named the recipient of the 2025 Tim Taylor Award, bestowed annually upon the best first-year player in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey, the Hockey Commissioners’ Association announced today.

He is the sixth BU player to win this award and second straight. The others: goalie Kieran Millan in 2009, forwards Jack Eichel in 2015, Clayton Keller in 2017, Joel Farabee in 2019; and Macklin Celebrini in 2024. Hutson’s brother Lane was the ROY runner-up in 2023.

The award is voted on by the nation’s assistant coaches and is named for the former Yale University and U.S. Olympic Team head coach.

Hutson led his Terriers to the Frozen Four in St. Louis after receiving the NCAA Toledo Regional Most Outstanding Player award. The Hockey East Rookie of the Year and a Hockey East First Team All-Star, Hutson was also the MVP of Boston’s famed Beanpot Tournament, after totaling five points (3g, 2a), including two goals and two assists in the semifinals and the game-winning goal in the championship game. He entered the Frozen Four as points per game leader among all NCAA rookies and defensemen at 1.24, and he paces all NCAA rookies in points (46) and assists (32).

On April 3, Boston College’s Ryan Leonard was announced as one of three finalists for the 2025 Hobey Baker Award. Leonard was a sophomore forward from Amherst, Massachusetts. The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation calls him a “relentless competitor and clutch performer” noting that he was a driving force behind Boston College’s success for the past two seasons. His elite skills ranked him eighth in the nation for scoring but he led the country with 30 goals and nine game-winners. On April 1, Leonard made his NHL debut with the Washington Capitals.

The Hobey Baker Award is presented annually to the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player who exemplifies excellence both on and off the ice. Players are evaluated based on skill, leadership, character, and academic achievements. The selection process involves fan voting, input from NCAA head coaches, and a selection committee that narrows the field to a selection of finalists before naming the winner during the Frozen Four weekend. Since its creation the award has become one of the most prestigious honors in college hockey and many recipients have gone on to successful careers in the NHL.

The Spencer Penrose award is presented annually to the AHCA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Coach of the Year. Ten coaches who have enjoyed on-ice success during the 2024-25 season were named as finalists. Nominees represent any coach who won the Coach of the Year title in their conference this past season or whose team has advanced to the 2025 NCAA Frozen Four. This year’s Hockey East nominees are Boston University’s Jay Pandolfo and UConn’s Mike Cavanaugh.

Jay Pandolfo, Boston University

Pandolfo is a Massachusetts native and former Boston University player with an extensive playing and coaching career. After his first year playing at BU, he was drafted 32nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1993 NHL Draft. He went on to play four full years with the Terriers, playing 133 games and tallying 78 goals and 89 assists for a total of 167 points. In his final season, he led Hockey East in goals and was named Hockey East Player of the Year and a member of the NCAA All-American Team. His NHL career with the Devils would earn him two Stanley Cups in 2000 and 2003 and title of alternate captain for two seasons. In 2014, he began his coaching career as a development coach for the Boston Bruins and would be named assistant coach in 2016. In July 2021, he left the Bruins to rejoin his alma mater as their assistant coach. In 2022 he was then announced as their head coach. The 2024-25 season will mark Pandolfo’s seventh NCAA Frozen Four appearance with Boston University – four as a player and three as a coach; he has yet to miss a year.

Mike Cavanaugh, UConn

In the pre-season poll, the UConn Huskies were picked to finish in eighth in Hockey East. Instead Cavanaugh led the team to a top-8 NCAA finish. As the only Huskies’ head coach since the beginning of their Hockey East era in 2014, Cavanaugh has been a steady force behind the bench. As 202425 Hockey East Coach of the Year, he guided the team to a fourth-place finish in the regular season standings which tied as the highest-ever finish for UConn. The Huskies posted a 12-8-4 record in league play while scoring the third-most goals (76) of any Hockey East program and the best power-play percentage in the league (28.4%). They also led the nation in shorthanded goals for the regular season, scoring nine times while at a manpower disadvantage. This season marks UConn’s first-ever bid to the NCAA tournament thanks to their high pairwise ranking. After falling to Maine in the Hockey East championship game they traveled to their NCAA Allentown Regional series where they would defeat fellow Connecticut powerhouse, Quinnipiac. Moving on to the regional final they battled with Penn State though overtime and fell just short of their first Frozen Four bid. Before this historic season for UConn and his lengthy tenure with them, Cavanaugh served for 18 years as an assistant and associate head coach to Boston College. There he helped the Eagles to 10 Frozen Four appearances and four national championships.

The 23rd Hockey East Women’s Tournament began on Wednesday, February 26. In the final weekend of the regular season, UConn swept Boston University in a home-and-home series to claim the top seed and regular season crown for the second consecutive year. The top six seeds received a bye into the quarterfinals leaving Holy Cross, Vermont, Merrimack, and New Hampshire to duke it out in the Opening Round.

Sophomore forward and Vermont native Cecilia DesLauriers scored the game-winning goal 13:13 into the first overtime period to give Vermont the win over Holy Cross in dramatic fashion.

The eighth-seed Catamounts were then slated to face the second-seeded Boston University Terriers in the quarterfinals.

The Merrimack Warriors secured a 3-1 regulation victory over New Hampshire at the Whittemore Center sending them to UConn for their quarterfinal matchup.

Both Vermont and Merrimack fell to their top seeded competitors in the quarterfinal rounds, allowing #1 UConn and #2 Boston University to secure their spots in the semifinal round.

Boston College ended the regular season by clinching an Opening Round bye and home ice for the quarterfinals. On March 1, sophomore forward Julia Pellerin tallied three points on two goals and one assist to push the Eagles past Maine and into the semifinals. With the win, Boston College now holds a record of 15-5 in the Hockey East Quarterfinals.

#5 Northeastern traveled to #4 Providence for their first road quarterfinal matchup since 2011. After a scoreless first period, the Huskies scored two goals just one minute and five seconds apart to give them a 2-0 lead in the second. An early Friars goal in the third pressured Northeastern to score again, a challenge met by sophomore Ella Blackmore. A final score of 3-2 sent Northeastern to the semifinals.

Tournament reseeding sent #4 Northeastern to #1 UConn and #3 Boston College to #2 Boston University on Wednesday, March 5th.

An evenly matched Boston showdown saw 40 shots for each team. The Eagles scored first and the Terriers would chase for the

classmate Riley Walsh to tie the game at 2-2 and send them into overtime.

Early Terrier momentum in the second OT period allowed graduate forward and BU standout Lindsay Bochna to punch in a rebound at 7:12 in the Terriers’ second-longest Hockey East postseason game on record. . With the win, BU secured a spot in the Hockey East Championship for the first time since 2016.

Down in Storrs, Connecticut, Northeastern stunned with a 3-1 victory over UConn, securing their ninth-straight Hockey East Championship appearance.

A UConn power-play goal began the scoring halfway through the second period. Northeastern’s Skylar Irving scored a goal one-on-five at the 6:22 mark of the third period to tie the game. She followed up six minutes later with a second goal securing a 2-1 lead. Junior Lily Brazis scored her fifth of the season to clinch the win to end UConn’s season.

Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team netminder Lisa Jonsson backstopped the Northeastern Huskies, finished the game with 36 saves and earned her second Hockey East Tournament victory.

Another solid matchup forced Boston University and Northeastern into overtime in the championship game. Terriers’ junior forward Sydney Healey scored the winning goal 4:43 into overtime. Healey’s goal led to her being named Tournament MVP.

This win marked the Terriers’ first championship since 2015 and sixth in program history, tying for the most Bertagna Trophies of any Hockey East program. Additionally, the Terriers went to OT in each of their three playoff games, marking the first team in league history to go to extra frames in every playoff contest.

Boston University head coach Tara Watchorn became the first person to win the Bertagna Trophy as both a player (2010, 2012) and a coach, all coming with the Terriers.

The Hockey East All-Tournament Team recognized four Terriers, Sydney Healey (F), Riley Walsh (F), Tamara Giaquinto (D), and Callie Shanahan (G) and two Huskies, Skylar Irving (F) and Jules Constantinople (D), for their outstanding performances throughout the tournament.

The last weekend of the regular season saw Boston College secure their 19th Hockey East regular season crown, an Opening Round bye and quarterfinal home ice.

The bottom six seeds began the 40th annual Hockey East Men’s Tournament on Wednesday, March 10. #6 Massachusetts and #11 Vermont, who was undefeated against the Minutemen in the 2024-25 season, faced off in Amherst. Two firstperiod goals gave Massachusetts the win in the only game in the Opening Round to end in regulation.

Meanwhile, #10 New Hampshire traveled to #7 UMass Lowell for their shot at the quarterfinals. After an injury to first-string goaltender Jared Whale near the end of the regular season, the Wildcats introduced graduate transfer Rico DiMatteo to the lineup. For the final three games of the season, DiMatteo kept the team unbeaten going into the postseason. He finished the regular season with a 2-0-1 record, a 1.43 goals-against average, and a .943 save percentage.

The 5-on-5 overtime saw a momentum push by UMass Lowell which led to a thrilling victory secured by Scout Truman. Their bid to the Hockey East quarterfinals dealt them a challenging hand of playing #2 Maine at the Alfond where the Black Bears went 15-3-3 for the 2024-25 season.

In a double overtime thriller, #9 Northeastern defeated #8 Merrimack, 3-2, in the final Opening Round match-up. A scoreless first led to the Huskies striking first in the second quickly followed by a Warriors goal to tie it. Before the end of the period, Merrimack would score again and take the lead for the first time in the game. Northeastern’s Jack Williams tallied his 40th point of the season by scoring off a rebound from sophomore Dylan Hryckowian’s shot, tying the game and forcing another Opening Round overtime.

Merrimack outshot Northeastern 14-9 in the first overtime period but neither team scored. The second overtime saw Dylan Hrycokwian score a one-timer and tally the game-winning goal for his second crucial point of the game.

Sophomore goaltender Cameron Whitehead, who would prove to be one of the tournament’s most influential players, made 44 saves against Merrimack to secure his second career playoff win.

#5 Providence found themselves at #4 UConn for the first game of the quarterfinals. They faced a lock-down Huskies team and fell, 3-1.

After trailing in the first, UConn battled hard in the second but Friars netminder Philip Svedeback stood strong preventing an equalizer until late in the period. UConn’s captain Hudson Schandor scored from linemates Jake Richard and Joey Muldowney to tie the game.

In the third, Muldowney scored twice, once on an empty net. Both first liners, Muldowney and Richard, tallied three points to send the Huskies to TD Garden for just the second time in program history and in a season where they were picked to finish eighth in the preseason coaches’ poll.

Northeastern’s Opening Round win matched them at #1 Boston College in the quarterfinals. The Huskies completed a historic win with a 3-1 road victory to become the first nine seed to make the semifinals in league history.

Both teams went scoreless until the Huskies struck twice in the second to take a 2-0 lead. Northeastern held that lead until 2:34 renaming in the third when BC added an extra attacker to score.

The Eagles went on the power play late in the third and pulled Jacob Fowler for a 6-on-4 advantage. The puck bounced to open ice and Northeastern’s Ryan McGuire sent it into the empty net to secure the 3-1 win.

The other quarterfinal matchups saw Cole Eiserman lift Boston University to a 3-2 overtime win over Massachusetts and Maine take a 7-1 victory over UMass Lowell.

Thursday’s semifinals at TD Garden were set, featuring a matinee between UConn and Boston University while Northeastern and Maine squared off at 7:30pm.

Joey Muldowney became just the eighth player to record a hat trick in the Hockey East semifinals to lift fourth-seeded UConn to a 5-2 win over third-seeded Boston University. Muldowney’s linemate Jake Richard assisted on all three of his goals.

Richard dished out four assists in total, tying the record for most all-time helpers in a single semifinal game. His seven assists in three tournament games is the second-most in a single Hockey East Tournament.

Maine faced a hot Northeastern team, who forced double overtime for the second time in the Huskies’ historic playoff run. Senior Nolan Renwick eventually handed Maine a 4-3 victory in front of 14,313 fans who saw the fourth-longest semifinal game in league history.

Northeastern blocked 42 of Maine’s 138 shot attempts and Huskies’ Cameron Whitehead made 57 saves, the third-most in semifinal history.

The Maine-UConn championship game marked the first time since 2002 that no Massachusetts school has competed for the title. In front of 17,605 fans, Maine and UConn battled in their first-ever postseason meeting.

Taylor Makar scored twice and Josh Nadeau had a goal and an assist to lead second-seeded Maine to a 5-2 win over fourth-seeded UConn in the final game of the Hockey East Championship. The title was the sixth for the Black Bears, the third most in league history, and Maine’s first since 2004.

The title completed a program turnaround for the Black Bears (24-7-6) whose last appearance in the Hockey East semifinals was in 2012. Their first five titles were won between 1989 and 2004.

“The [upperclassmen] have put in a lot of work, coming from a three-win team to a seven-win team three years ago, our job is easy when you have kids like that,” says Barr.

“It's been unbelievable, we’ve come so far in four years,” shares Breazeale.

Sophomore goalie and tournament MVP Albin Boija stopped 27 shots and also added an assist.

“There’s no words to describe how great [Boija] has been for us, not just in the tournament but all year. He put us in a position to have a home game, be able to have a bye in the first round, that’s all on his back. He was able to carry us through the regular season,” Breazeale said.

Boija was joined on the Steve Nazzaro Hockey East All-Tournament Team by four teammates – defensemen Luke Antonacci and David Breazeale and forwards Harrison Scott and Owen Fowler. UConn forward Joey Muldowmey rounded out the squad.