PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The fourth-seeded Providence College men's hockey team defeated the third-seed Cornell Big Red in the NCAA East Regional Final on Sunday, March 31 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. The Friars will advance to the Frozen Four for the fifth time in program history and the first time since they captured the national title in 2015.
SCORE
No. 11 Providence - 4 | No. 10 Cornell - 0
RECORDS
Providence - 24-11-6 | Cornell - 21-11-4
VENUE
Dunkin' Donuts Center - Providence, R.I.
GOALIES
Hayden Hawkey (PC) - 19 saves
Austin McGrath (CU) - 25 saves
NOTES
- The Friars had to withstand two Cornell power plays in the opening seven minutes. Providence was strong defensively, allowing just one shot through to Hayden Hawkey during the four minutes of penalty kill.
- Providence got on the board first, scoring an even-strength goal just 12 seconds after its first power play had concluded. Vincent Desharnais slid a pass over to Jacob Bryson, who lobbed the puck in on goal. Austin McGrath made the save, but left a rebound on the doorstep, which Greg Printz buried for his 11th tally of the season.
- Josh Wilkins put the Friars up 2-0 by scoring his third goal of the weekend just 1:40 into the second period. Kasper Björkqvist and Jack Dugan assisted the goal, which was a rebound on a scrum in front of McGrath.
- Josh Wilkins has now scored 10 goals in the last nine games and has 19 goals on the season.
- The Friars extended the lead with just 0.6 seconds on the clock in the second period. Wilkins threw the puck toward goal from the top of the right face-off circle and Scott Conway redirected it past McGrath to make it 3-0.
- Brandon Duhaime assisted the late strike and became the sixth Friar in the game to pick up an assist.
- Conway's goal marked his 100th career point. He has 50 goals and 50 assists in 152 games played.
- Providence limited the Cornell offense to just four shots in the second period. The Big Red had a two-period total of 10 shots, while the Friars had 22.
- Cornell earned a power-play chance 4:01 into the third, but was unable to capitalize. Hayden Hawkey made two saves during the opportunity to keep the Big Red off the board.
- Duhaime capped the scoring for Providence on an empty-net goal with 1:47 left on the clock. He was assisted by Conway.
- Hawkey finished the game with 19 saves. He earned his eighth shutout of the season, and second career shutout in the NCAA Tournament.
- The Friars held opponents scoreless over the last 108:52 of play on the weekend.
- Providence finished the weekend 5/8 on the power play, while limiting opponents to 0/6.
-With the shutout, Providence has registered four shutouts in their 16 NCAA Tournament appearances. The last time the Friars posted a shutout was when Hayden Hawkey made 18 stops in a 1-0 win over Clarkson in the First Round in 2018 in Bridgeport, Conn.
- Jacob Bryson, Hayden Hawkey, Tyce Thompson and Josh Wilkins all were named to the NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team. Wilkins was named the region's Most Outstanding Player.
HOW THEY SCORED
1-0 (PC) - 10:20/1st - EV - Greg Printz (Bryson, Desharnais) - Bryson took a shot from the point that was saved and Printz buried the rebound on the doorstep.
2-0 (PC) - 1:40/2nd - EV - Josh Wilkins (Björkqvist, Dugan) - Rebound goal on a scrum in front.
3-0 (PC) - 19:59/2nd - PP - Scott Conway (Wilkins, Duhaime) - Re-direct from the low slot.
4-0 (PC) - 18:13/3rd - EN - Brandon Duhaime (Conway) - Empty netter.
PC GAME HIGHS
Goals: Printz, Wilkins, Conway, Duhaime (1)
Assists: Seven different players (1)
Points: Wilkins, Conway, Duhaime (2)
Shots: Conway (4)
POWER PLAYS
Providence - 1/2
Cornell - 0/3
SHOTS
Providence - 29
Cornell - 19
UP NEXT
The Friars will travel to Buffalo, N.Y. for the Frozen Four, which will be held at the Keybank Center from April 11-13. Providence awaits the winner of tonight's Midwest Regional Final between No. 2 Minnesota Duluth and No. 8 Quinnipiac.
