An Eastah Celebration

After taking Saturday off to work on a project and relax on this holiday weekend, I found myself watching more games without feeling compelled to write anything. I fell into watching the NCAA Men's Regional Hockey Tournaments this weekend as I was curious in seeing who would emerge as the Frozen Four contenders in St. Paul, Minnesota in two weeks, and watching these teams put everything on the line in a win-or-go-home game makes for exciting hockey. Today, we were treated to a beauty, though, as the third-ranked Quinnipiac Bobcats met the first-ranked Boston College Eagles in Providence, Rhode Island with a berth in the Frozen Four on the line.

As you can tell by the lede photo, one team was more successful than the other, but this game was an absolute beauty as Boston College, trailing 4-3 late in the game, tied the contest on a Aram Minnetian goal with less than five minutes to play. Neither side could find a fifth goal in regulation time, so we were off to overtime to decide who would be heading to St. Paul.

We wouldn't have to wait long to see one team punch their tickets to Minnesota as it took just 3:06 for the game-winner to be scored.

You have to feel for Quinnipiac goaltender Vinny Duplessis as it appeared that he thought the deflected puck was underneath him only for it to pop out in front of him where that scrum ensued. Forward Cristophe Tellier looked like he was going to chip it to the boards, but he pushed it directly into the path of Boston College forward Jack Malone who buried the winner, sending Boston College to its 26th Frozen Four berth. With all the joy that comes for Boston, heartbreak will be felt in Hamden, Connecticut.

Unfortunately, one team had to lose today, and that's how this NCAA tournament works. Would I love to have seen a three- or five-game series between these two teams? Absolutely. Both are well-coached, they attack with speed, defend with vigor, and their goalies made big saves to keep their teams in the game when things could have gone sideways. However, one team has to go home, and Quinnipiac fell just short today. No one should hang their heads, though.

We were treated to a dandy hockey game today. For a guy who is way too old for Easter treats, I will not complain about the treat that the NCAA served up today. Happy Easter, folks.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!