ST. PAUL, Minn. — Boston College continued to roll, delivering a convincing 4-0 win over Michigan on Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center to reach the NCAA men’s Frozen Four national championship game.
The Eagles will be in their first title game since 2012 and will face Denver, which beat Boston University in the other semifinal game, on Saturday.
“Probably the two best teams in the country,” said Boston College winger Gabe Perreault said. “So I’m not surprised it’s us in the end.”
Perreault’s all-freshmen line with Will Smith and Ryan Leonard continued to dazzle, combining for three goals and seven points. Smith had two goals, Perreault one. Goalie Jacob Fowler had 32 saves, giving the Eagles their first shutout in 26 appearances in a Frozen Four semifinal game. It was the first time the Wolverines have been shut out in the Frozen Four.
Boston College has won 15 straight games.
The turning point
This was a one-goal game until midway into the second period, when everything seemed to turn. The Eagles scored two goals in a 49-second span, both coming in four-on-four play. Smith got it started, banking in a shot off Wolverines’ Ethan Edwards. Just under a minute later, Cutter Gauthier — a Hobey Baker Award finalist — took advantage of a turnover in his own zone and took off for a goal off the rush. That was more than enough, as Boston College shut it down the rest of the way. Smith has 71 points now, matching Jack Eichel and Kyle Connor for most goals in the last 30-plus years by a freshman.
The backbone
Jacob Fowler, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, gave up four goals in the regional final against Quinnipiac, which the Eagles won in overtime. No one was beating him on Thursday, as he made 32 saves.
“He takes that stuff personally,” Perreault said. “He comes out and pitches a shutout. Not surprised. You see it every day. He’s special.”
This should be an excellent goalie matchup on Saturday, with Denver goalie Matt Davis coming off a 33-save performance against a high-powered Boston University team.
Tough decisions
The Wolverines, coming off an emotional regional final win over rival Michigan State, just didn’t have enough against Boston College. Several of their top players will have some tough decisions to make in coming days about whether to go pro. It would seem likely that Winnipeg Jets prospect Rutger McGroarty is ready, though there was no immediate postgame word on that. Blue Jackets prospect Gavin Brindley, another sophomore, could have an opportunity. Same with sophomore Frank Lazar III.
Highlights
49 seconds. 2 goals.
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— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 12, 2024
A lil’ 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
(Photo of Cutter Gauthier: Nick Wosika / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
