Freshman defenseman Boston Buckberger ended up leading the Pioneers in the regional with a goal and two assists, as he picked up a helper on Matikka’s tally.

DU is heading to the Frozen Four for the first time since winning the national championship two years ago, and the team is looking to win a record 10th national title in St. Paul.

Sioux Falls Regional

BU gets revenge on Minnesota

In a rematch of last year’s national semifinal, the Boston Terriers were hungry to put their demons to bed on Saturday night. They did so by eliminating the Minnesota Golden Gophers with a 6-3 win.

The first period saw fireworks as everyone had hoped for. Each team fired everything they had at the net in the opening 20 minutes, with 25 shots finding the target. Minnesota got on the board first, as captain Jaxon Nelson stayed hot with his third goal of the weekend.

Late in the period, Philadelphia Flyers prospect Bryce Brodzinksi ripped a shot over the shoulder of BU netminder Mathieu Caron for his 14th goal of the season. However, the Gophers’ lead was quickly cut in half just 14 seconds later. Quinn Hutson put a weak shot toward the Minnesota goal, but the puck was misplayed by Justin Close, sneaking by the Gopher netminder to make it a 2-1 game after one.

Things really ramped up in period two. Top draft prospect Macklin Celebrini made a couple of great players to set up Shane Lachance and Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick Jack Harvey to give the Terriers the lead just over five minutes into the period.

Buffalo Sabres prospect Aaron Huglen tied the game for the Gophers right before the halfway mark of the game, but another soft goal given up by Close, this time off the stick of Habs’ prospect Lane Hutson, gave BU a 4-3 lead heading into the third.

Minnesota tried desperately to push for the equalizer, but Boston University buckled down defensively, and with a couple of lucky breaks and two empty-net goals, the Terriers held on for the win, punching the team’s ticket to the Frozen Four for the 24th time in program history.

Caron ended up making 25 saves in the win, while Lachance and Harvey ended up with two points each.

Three Stars

1. Macklin Celebrini, F, Boston University (2024 NHL Draft eligible): In big games, big players have to step up. As if Celebrini needed a good performance to bolster his stock anymore, three assists against Minnesota certainly wasn’t too shabby.
2. Jack Harvey, F, Boston University (Tampa Bay Lightning): Harvey might have been the beneficiary of great play by Celebrini to come up with two points in the regional final, but his awareness, and his shot, helped him find the back of the net for the 10th time this season.
3. Matt Davis, G, Denver: The junior netminder has battled through injuries this season, but was definitely in form this weekend in Springfield. On Saturday, his 24 saves helped secure DU’s win over Cornell.

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