ST. PAUL, Minn. — Boston College continued its winning ways, earning a convincing 4-0 victory over Michigan on Thursday night at the Xcel Energy Center to reach the NCAA men’s Frozen Four national championship game.
The Eagles will be playing their first title game since 2012 and will face Denver, who beat Boston University in the other semifinal game, on Saturday.
“Probably the two best teams in the country,” Boston College wing Gabe Perreault said. “So I’m not surprised it was us in the end.”
Perreault’s freshman trio of Will Smith and Ryan Leonard continued to dazzle, combining for three goals and seven points. Smith scored two goals, Perreault one. Goalie Jacob Fowler made 32 saves, giving the Eagles their first shutout in 26 appearances in a Frozen Four semifinal game. This was the first time the Wolverines were excluded from the Frozen Four.
Boston College has won 15 straight games.
Turning
It was a one-goal game until midway through the second period when everything seemed to change. The Eagles scored two goals in 49 seconds, both at four-on-four. Smith started the game with a shot from Ethan Edwards of the Wolverines. Just under a minute later, Cutter Gauthier – a Hobey Baker Award finalist – took advantage of a turnover in his own zone and scored a post-rush goal. That was more than enough, since Boston College shut it down for the rest. Smith now has 71 points, tying Jack Eichel and Kyle Connor for the most goals in the last 30 years by a freshman.
Spine
Jacob Fowler, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, allowed four goals in the regional final against Quinnipiac, which the Eagles won in overtime. No one beat him on Thursday, as he made 32 saves.
“He takes it personally,” Perreault said. “He goes out and throws a shutout. Not surprised. You see it every day. He is special.
It should be a great goaltending game on Saturday, with Denver netminder Matt Davis making 33 saves against a powerhouse Boston University team.
Difficult decisions
The Wolverines, coming off an emotional regional final victory over rival Michigan State, simply didn’t have enough against Boston College. Several of their top players will have tough decisions to make in the coming days about whether to turn professional. It would seem likely that Winnipeg Jets prospect Rutger McGroarty is ready, although there was no word on that immediately after the game. Blue Jackets prospect Gavin Brindley, another sophomore, could get an opportunity. Same with sophomore Frank Lazar III.
Strong points
49 seconds. 2 goals.
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– NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 12, 2024
A little twist 🌪️
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– NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 12, 2024
WILL SMITH, DUHHHHHHH!!!!!
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– NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 12, 2024
(Cutter Gauthier Photo: Nick Wosika / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)