HOCKEY EAST HEADLINES
The Boston College Eagles won the 2024 Hockey East men’s championship, the 12th Lamoriello Trophy in program history, over rival Boston University, 6-2.
Freshman forward Will Smith scored four goals and added an assist to claim MVP honors. It was the first rookie hat trick, first four-goal game, and first five-point game in a championship game in league history. Joining Smith on the Steve Nazro All-Tournament Team were four Boston College teammates in Jacob Fowler, Eamon Powell, Cutter Gauthier, and Gabe Perreault. Boston University’s Lane Hutson was also named to the sqaud.
The Eagles won the title in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,850 in TD Garden after the a capacity crowd saw BC and BU advance in Friday’s semifinals. It was the first time the Hockey East championship weekend has sold out since 2005.
Four Hockey East teams earned bids into the NCAA Tournament as Boston College and Boston University claimed the first and second overall seeds, respectively. Maine earned a two-seed and will join four-seed and host UMass in the Springfield, Mass. regional. BC will square off in Providence, while BU moves west to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The 2024 Frozen Four will be held April 11 and 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota
at the XCel Energy Center. Since regional tournament play began in 1992,
34 of the 60 teams that have advanced to the Frozen Four from the eastern
regional tournaments have been from Hockey East. Eighteen Hockey East
teams have been sent to the western regionals in the same span, but only
two of those have advanced to the Frozen Four.
HOCKEY EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Will Smith - Boston College
Will Smith (Fr., F; Lexington, Mass.) was named MVP of the 2024
Hockey East Tournament and rewrote the record book as he poured
in five goals and five assists for 10 points in just three tournament
games. Four of his tallies came in the championship game, becoming
the first rookie with a hat trick in the title contest and posting the first
four-goal and five-point game in championship history.
PRO AMBITIONS ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Gabe Perreault - Boston College
Gabe Perreault (Fr., F; Hinsdale, Ill.) returned to the Eagles’ lineup
for the first time since Feb. 23, in the semifinals. He racked up four
points on two goals, including the game-winning goal, and two assists
in an 8-1 win over UMass and added three more points, one goal and
two helpers, including the primary assist on the game-winning goal,
in a 6-2 win over Boston University in the title game. His seven points
(3g, 4a) landed him a spot on the Steve Nazro All-Tournament.
ARMY ROTC DEFENDER OF THE WEEK
Eamon Powell - Boston College
Eamon Powell (Sr., D; Marcellus, N.Y.) was named to the Steve Nazro All-Tournament Team for his role in helping the Eagles capture the
2024 Hockey East championship. He dished out a total of four assists
in the tournament, including two in the championship game.
STOP IT GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Jacob Fowler - Boston College
Jacob Fowler (Fr., G; Melbourne, Fla.) made 62 saves and allowed
just three goals in the Hockey East semifinals and championship,
backboning the Eagles to their 12th Lamoriello Trophy in program history. He earned a spot on the Steve Nazro All-Tournament Team for
his effort.
HOCKEY EAST TOP PERFORMERS
Cutter Gauthier, BC (So., F; Scottsdale, Ariz.) Racked up seven points on three goals and four assists to help Boston College secure the 12th Lamoriello Trophy in program history. He scored the game-winning goal of an eventual 8-1 win over UMass in the semifinals and again found the decisive tally of a 6-2 win over Boston University in the title bout.
Lane Hutson, BU (So., D; North Barrington, Ill.) Scored the game-winning goal on the power play in BU’s 4-1 win over Maine in the Hockey East semifinal. He then added an assist in the championship game and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Macklin Celebrini, BU (Fr., F; Vancouver, B.C.) Posted four points on a goal and three assists in the Hockey East championship weekend.
Ryan Greene, BU (So., F; Paradise, Newf.) Scored two goals in the Hockey East semifinals, a 4-1 win over Maine, and set up both of BU’s goals in the championship game.
Mathieu Caron, BU (Jr., G; Abbotsford, B.C.) Made 32 saves in a 4-1 victory over Maine in the semifinals, backboning the Terriers into the Hockey East title game.
Lynden Breen, Maine (Sr., F; Grand Bay-Westfield, N.B.) Scored Maine’s loan goal in the Hockey East semifinals
Lucas Mercuri, UMass (Jr., F; Montreal, Que.) Netted the opening goal of the 2024 Hockey East championship weekend on Friday.
