HOCKEY EAST HEADLINES

Boston University advanced to its 23rd Frozen Four in program history, downing Western Michigan, 5-1, and Cornell, 2-1, in the Manchester Regional. The Terriers have moved out of Manchester in each of their previous three appearances (2009, 2015) and have a 3-1 record in the Frozen Four in those years.

Boston University is currently riding a nine-game win streak dating back to February 24, when they snapped a four-game losing skid. Ethan Phillips racked up four points for the Terriers, scoring two goals and adding two assists. Drew Commesso stopped 37 of 39 shots to backbone Boston University into the Frozen Four for the first time since 2015 and was named Most Outstanding Player of the Manchester Regional.

Lane Hutson, the Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Year and the first-ever defenseman to lead Hockey East in scoring, scored the opening goal in Thursday’s regional semifinal. His goal was his 48th point of the season, setting a new NCAA mark for points by a freshman defenseman and breaking Brian Leetch’s record from 1986-87 while with Boston College. He was named to the All-Regional Team for his performance.

Over the weekend, Boston College’s Nikita Nesterenko and Northeastern’s Aidan McDonough made their NHL debuts, becoming the 97th and 98th Hockey East alumni in the NHL this season. Nesterenko scored his first goal for the Anaheim Ducks, while McDonough skated for 10:03 of work for the Vancouver Canucks.

Only four first-year bench bosses have reached the Frozen Four in the last 35 years. Jay Pandolfo is one of two first-year head coaches to lead his team to the Frozen Four in 2023 (Brandon Narauto, Michigan). Hockey East is on pace to once again set a new mark for alumni in the NHL after 109 appeared in the top professional league in 2021-22.

HOCKEY EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Ethan Phillips - Boston University

Ethan Phillips (Sr., F; Dartmouth, N.S.) was the offensive catalyst for Boston University in the Manchester Regional, scoring two goals and adding two assists for four points, including the game-winning goal in Saturday’s 2-1 final. He was named to the All-Regional Team.

PRO AMBITIONS ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Quinn Hutson - Boston University

Quinn Hutson (Fr., F; North Barrington, Ill.) netted the game-winning goal in Thursday’s 5-1 regional semifinal win over Western Michigan. It was the rookie’s seventh game-winning goal of the season.

ARMY ROTC DEFENDER OF THE WEEK

Lane Hutson - Boston University

Lane Hutson (Fr., D; North Barrington, Ill.) scored the opening goal in Thursday’s regional semifinal over Western Michigan, sparking the Terriers to a 5-1 victory. His goal was the 48th overall point of the season, becoming the highest-scoring freshman defenseman in NCAA history, breaking a record held by Boston College’s Brian Leetch since 1986-87. He was named to the All-Regional Team for his efforts.

STOP IT GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Drew Commesso - Boston University

Drew Commesso (Jr., G; Norwell, Mass.) was named Most Outstanding Player of the Manchester regional, allowing just two goals and stopping 37 shots to backbone the Terriers into the Frozen Four for the first time since 2015.