However, Michigan Tech started to take the play to BC, and managed to level the score thanks to freshman Max Koskipirtti’s fourth goal of the season.

Washington Capitals draft pick Ryan Leonard gave the Eagles their second lead of the contest early in the second, but the Huskies had a glorious chance to tie the game when Gabe Perreault—a New York Rangers draft pick—received a five-minute major and a game misconduct for an illegal hit to the head. However, Michigan Tech failed to capitalize on the man advantage.

That was a real hit to the Huskies’ momentum, as Boston College finally started to dominate, scoring four goals in the final 20 minutes, two of which came on a major power play of its own.

Gauthier, Oskar Jellvik and Eamon Powell each ended up with three points for the Eagles, with goaltender Jacob Fowler making 23 saves.

The Eagles will try and get to the Frozen Four for the first time since 2016 on Sunday.

Czerneckianair’s heroics push Quinnipiac over Wisconsin

Two teams with vastly different playing styles needed extra time on Friday night, as Quinnipiac used some more overtime magic to take down Wisconsin, 3-2.

The defending champions were all over the Badgers in the opening frame, outshooting Wisconsin 10-4 in the first period. Christophe Fillion’s seventh goal of the season gave the Bobcats a one-goal lead at the end of one.

However, the Badgers took advantage of their chances early in the second period, as Quinn Finley and Joe Poldichuk scored back-to-back goals just over a minute apart to give Wisconsin the lead. However, they were not able to hold Quinnipiac off forever, as Victor Czerneckianair potted his sixth of the season late in the period to send the game tied at two heading into the third.

After neither side found the back of the net in the third, the game went to overtime. Similar to the first period, Quinnipiac played with confidence, which led to Travis Treloar setting Czerneckianair up for his second of the game, giving the Bobcats the victory.

It is the second straight national tournament game where the Bobcats needed overtime to win, dating back to last year’s championship game.

Quinnipiac ended up outshooting Wisconsin, 32-20, with Bobcat netminder Vinny Duplessis only having to make 18 saves.

The Bobcats are searching for the program’s fourth trip to the Frozen Four.

Maryland Heights Regional

Michigan State survives in overtime

The top seed in the region needed some late magic in order to avoid being upset, as the Spartans pulled out a 5-4 win on Friday.

Western Michigan came out with a lot more energy than the Big Ten Champions and was rewarded with a goal from North Dakota transfer Matteo Constantini minutes into the game.

Michigan State responded with back-to-back goals early in the second period, as Daniel Russell and Capitals draft pick David Gucciardi each scored for the Spartans. However, the Broncos roared back in front with three goals in 3:20, with Alex Bump, Sam Colangelo, and Zak Galambos putting the four-seeded Broncos up by two, heading into the third.

Cue the comeback.

Nash Nienhuis got things going for MSU with his ninth goal of the season before the halfway mark of the frame. Then, with less than a minute to play in regulation, draft-eligible defenseman Artyom Levshunov made a great play to set up fellow freshman Karsen Dorwart to tie the game.

Then, early in the overtime period, an innocent-looking shot from Jeremy Davidson deflected off Bronco defenseman Daniel Hilsendager’s stick and by Cameron Rowe to give the Spartans the win.

Neinhuis, Dorwart and Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick Isaac Howard each ended up with two points in the win.

MSU has not been to the Frozen Four since winning the national championship in 2007.

Dominant third period leads Michigan to victory

An incredible third period helped the Michigan Wolverines take down a strong North Dakota team in the final game of the day, 4-2.

The Fighting Hawks started off well, keeping Michigan’s powerful offense at bay for most of the first 40 minutes. They drew first blood when Hunter Johannes scored the lone goal in the opening period.

The Wolverines tied the game less than two minutes into the middle stanza as Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Frank Nazar scored his 17th goal of the season. Yet, North Dakota responded shortly after that with Hobey Baker nominee Jackson Blake’s 22nd goal on the year.

Trailing by one heading into the final 20 minutes, Michigan turned things up. It started with an errant play by Fighting Hawks’ goaltender Ludvig Persson. The senior goaltender directed a rebound off his own defenseman and into the net. Less than two minutes later, TJ Hughes scored to give the Wolverines their first lead of the game.

Tampa Bay Lightning pick Dylan Duke scored his 24th of the season to put Michigan up by two, a little past the halfway mark of the period.

North Dakota tried to make things interesting after Jackson Kunz–a Vancouver Canucks pick–cut the deficit to one. However, a couple of big saves from Jake Barczewski helped seal the win for the Wolverines.

Duke ended up with two goals in the win, while Hughes and Garrett Schifsky had two points apiece.

Michigan is now eyeing its third consecutive Frozen Four appearance.

First time for everything

It sets up a historic matchup between the Wolverines and the Spartans in the regional championship game. In the 102-year rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State, the two teams have never met in the national tournament.

In 342 meetings, Michigan is 176-142-24 against Michigan State, though the Spartans beat the Wolverines in the Big Ten Championship Game last Saturday.

Three Stars

1. Trey Augustine, G, Michigan State (Detroit Red Wings): The USNTDP product might not have had the prettiest game of his career, but he made some big saves to keep the Spartans in the game against the Broncos, making 34 stops, and assisting on the game-winning goal.
2. Ryan Leonard, F, Boston College (Washington Capitals): While Cutter Gauthier had a good game as well, Leonard was all over the ice against Michigan Tech. The freshman scored twice, totaling four points in the win.
3. Victor Czerneckianair, F, Quinnipiac: Two goals in a national tournament game, and the game-winner? It was quite the night for the sophomore, who had not scored more than one goal in a game all season.

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