UPDATED: Power play onslaught powers BC past Terriers, 6-2, in HEA title game; NCAA Regional projections

 

                                   Photo credit Matt Woolverton

Top-ranked BC’s potent power play and exceptional goaltending proved too much for the #2 Terriers, who were dethroned as Hockey East Tournament champions by the Eagles, 6-2. Tournament MVP Will Smith scored four goals, the first two on opening period power plays.

For much of the first 40 minutes, BU had the better of the 5-on-5 play but could only put one shot past BC’s first-team all-star goalie Jacob Fowler. Meanwhile the Eagles connected on three power plays to take a 3-1 lead into the final period.

If there was a turning point, it came in the final minutes of the second period with the Terriers trailing, 2-1 after Gavin McCarthy’s first collegiate goal. They had a long flurry of scoring opportunities all turned aside by Fowler, That sequence was followed by a Luke Tuch boarding penalty, putting BC back on the power play and for a third time, they scored with Cutter Gauthier notching his nation’s best 35^th goal to restore the two-goal margin.

At 6:46 of the third period, Smith completed his hat trick and five minutes later, Gabe Perreault tallied BC’s fourth power play goal. That goal came just after Fowler robbed Ryan Greene with a lunging stop to prevent a shot into a half-open net (8:13 of the highlight video).

A five-minute major on former Terrier Jamie Armstrong with 7:33 remaining gave BU an opportunity to get back into the game. However, the Terriers could only produce one goal on the extended power play with Macklin Celebrini recording his 31^st goal assisted by Lane Hutson and Greene.

After Mathieu Caron was pulled for an extra skater, Smith hit the empty net to close out the scoring.

BU outshot BC 36-29, but the number of grade A chances was limited by the Eagles defense and most of those allowed were stymied by Fowler.

Lane Hutson joined five Eagles on the the All-Tournament team.

● GoTerriers.com recap and box score

● Photo gallery

● Video highlights

● Post-game comments Jay Pandolfo

●  Boston Hockey Blog: Terriers fall, 6-2, to BC in Hockey East championship

● Hockey East recap

●  College Hockey News recap

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A disappointing result for the Terriers in the Hockey East Championship. @bellefraser1 pic.twitter.com/oGVIgY18yD

— Bernie Corbett (@BernieCorbett10) March 24, 2024

► Terriers will be a number one seed in the NCAA Regionals. They'll find out where they'll play and who will be their first-round opponent during the Selection Show on ESPNU on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. All indications now point to BU going to one of the Western regionals, either Sioux Falls or Maryland Heights, Missouri.

College Hockey News offers two projections, one from Adam Wodon and one from Mike McMahon. Both have the Terriers facing RIT in the opening round. 

Looking ahead

2025 recruit Callum Hughes scored his 23rd goal, assisted by 2024 recruit Jack Pridham, in West Kelowna's 4-1 win over Cranbrook. 

2025 recruit John McNelis scored his 15th goal and added an assist in Sioux Falls' 7-2 win against Lincoln.