HOCKEY EAST HEADLINES

Massachusetts advanced to the Frozen Four for the second time in program history (2019) after a dominating performance in the Bridgeport Regional. The Minutemen downed Lake Superior State, 5-1, in the semifinal before Filip Lindberg (Espoo, Finland) pitched his third NCAA Tournament shutout in a 4-0 win over Bemidji State. Carson Gicewicz (Orchard Park, N.Y.) scored four goals on the weekend, including a natural hat trick in the regional final that was the first NCAA Tournament hat trick since 2017. The Minutemen will face Minnesota Duluth in the Frozen Four in Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 8, at either 5 or 9 p.m. on ESPN2.

Boston University’s 2020-21 season ended in a 6-2 Albany Regional semifinal setback to St. Cloud State. Wilmer Skoog (Tyreso, Sweden) and Jake Wise (Reading, Mass.) found the back of the net for the Terriers while Drew Commesso (Norwell, Mass.) made 32 saves.

Boston College ended the year at 17-6-1 in the Northeast Regional final following a 4-1 decision at the hands of St. Cloud. Matt Boldy (Millis, Mass.) was named to the All-Tournament Team in the Northeast Regional after opening the scoring for the Eagles. Their opening round game against Notre Dame was declared a No Contest after the Irish did not clear COVID-19 protocols.

ARMY ROTC HOCKEY EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Carson Gicewicz - Massachusetts

Carson Gicewicz (Orchard Park, N.Y.) netted four goals in the East Regional, leading UMass back to the Frozen Four for the second consecutive NCAA Tournament. He scored a hat trick in the regional final to secure a 4-0 win over Bemidji State, the first NCAA Tournament hat trick since 2017.

PRO AMBITIONS ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Aaron Bohlinger - Massachusetts

Aaron Bohlinger (Walden, N.Y.) assisted on the game-winning goal in UMass’s 4-0 win over Bemidji State in the East Regional final to secure a spot in the Frozen Four. The first year defenseman played a key role in the Minutemen’s defense that allowed just one goal in NCAA Tournament play, advancing his team to the nation’s biggest stage in Pittsburgh on April 8.

HOCKEY EAST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Filip Lindberg - Massachusetts

Filip Lindberg (Espoo, Finland) pitched an 18-save perfect game in the regional final to backbone the Minutemen to the Frozen Four, his third career shutout in the NCAA Tournament, tying a record previously set by Boston College’s Cory Schneider (2006-07). The junior netminder also made 30 saves in a 5-1 victory in the semifinal against Lake Superior State.

HOCKEY EAST TOP PERFORMERS

Matt Boldy, BC (So., F; Millis, Mass.) Was named to the All-Tournament Team in the Northeast Regional after opening the scoring for the Eagles against St. Cloud State.

Drew Commesso, BU (Fr., G; Norwell, Mass.) Made 32 saves in the Northeast Regional semifinal game against St. Cloud State, a 6-2 setback for BU.

Jake Wise, BU (Jr., F; Reading, Mass.) Scored a power-play goal that tied the Northeast Regional semifinal against St. Cloud State, 2-2.

Wilmer Skoog, BU (So., F; Tyreso, Sweden) Opened the scoring of the Northeast Regional semifinal with a goal eight seconds into the second period.

Oliver Chau, UMass (Sr., F; Oakville, Ont.) Racked up four points and three assists in two games for the Minutemen, including a helper that set up the game-winning tally in the East Regional final to send UMass back to the Frozen Four for the second time in program history.

Josh Lopina, UMass (Fr., F; Minooka, Ill.) Scored the game-winning goal in Massachusetts’ 5-1 win over Lake Superior State in the East Regional semifinal on Friday. He finished the two-game set with six shots on goal.