Upsets and records mark HE opening round action

First-night action in the opening round of the Hockey East playoffs produced two wins by lower seeds including a record-setting game between Notre Dame and UMass. The Minutemen edged the Fighting Irish, 4-3, in five overtimes. The game was the longest college hockey game, lasting 151 minutes. Notre Dame goalie Cal Petersen, who stopped 87 shots, broke the NCAA record of 80 and the all-time college record (pre-NCAA) of 82, set by BU’s Don Martin in 1924-25. (BU single-game records)

In other action, Merrimack upended Northeastern in overtime, while New Hampshire beat Connecticut and Vermont defeated Maine. Details on HockeyEastOnline.

In next weekend’s quarterfinals, BU will take on the lowest-seeded opening round victor.

Looking ahead

2015 recruit Maxim Letunov assisted on three goals for Youngstown in a 7-3 win over Sioux Falls.

2015 recruit Sean MacTavish assisted on a power play goal for Lincoln in a 4-3 win over Des Moines.

Video highlights of Central Catholic's 7-4 win over Austin Prep in Massachusetts Super 8 action in which 2018 recruit Jake Wise scored a goal and added three assists.

Looking back

Charlie Coyle scored his eighth goal in Minnesota’s 3-1 win over Carolina.

● Recap and video

The Hockey Writers examine Matt Nieto’s second season with San Jose.

Women’s Program

#7 Terriers, the three-time defending Hockey East tournament champions, take on Northeastern today in the semifinals as Coach Brian Durocher's squad seeks their fourth straight conference title. The game, at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center, is set to begin at 4:30 p.m.

BU and the Huskies have met four times this season, with BU winning three times, most recently a 3-1 victory in the Beanpot Consolation. BU is led (stats) by captain Marie-Philip Poulin, juniors Sarah Lefort and Kayla Tutino and freshmen Victoria Bach and Rebecca Leslie. Northeastern’s offense is powered by Kendall Coyne, who has 28 goals and 23 assists.

● GoTerriers.com preview, Game Notes, GameTracker, Pay-Per-View webcast

● USA Today feature on Poulin

Bach (photo), the nation's top rookie goal-scorer, was named Hockey East Rookie-of-the-Year at the conference's awards banquet on Friday. Poulin earned first-team all-star honors, while Lefort, Tutino and senior Shannon Doyle were second-team picks.  
● HockeyEastOnline report
● GoTerriers.com report