HOCKEY EAST HEADLINES

The Hockey East Tournament Opening Round begins with three games on Wednesday, March 11. Boston University and Vermont kick things off at 6:30 p.m, followed by two games on NESN and NESN+ with UNH vs. Northeastern from Boston College and UMass Lowell at Merrimack.

Massachusetts rocketed up the Hockey East Standings when the calendar flipped to 2026 with a 12-2-1 mark since January 9, allowing just 22 goals against in that span. Michael Hrabal ended the regular season with the second-best save percentage in league history (.952) and fourth-best goals against average (1.52).

Providence claimed the Hockey East Regular Season crown outright for the first time in team history, winning a program-record 18 games in the process. The Friars wrapped the regular season with a 17-3-0 mark in its last 20 contests and is seeking its first Lamoriello Trophy since 1996.

UConn enters the Hockey East Tournament as the third seed, the highest position in program history.

One quarterfinal is already known, as Boston College will host Maine on Friday, March 13 at 7:00 p.m. on NESN. The Eagles and Black Bears were evenly matched across the regular season, splitting their two-game series. The Eagles look to snap a four-game losing streak and return to the semifinals for a league-record 28th time.

BOSTON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Colin Kessler - Vermont

Colin Kessler (So., F; Anchorage, Alaska) had his second consecutive two-goal, three-point game for the Catamounts, leading Vermont to a 5-3 victory over No. 18 Maine to close the regular season. Kessler scored two power-play goals and had a primary assist, also with the man advantage.

PRO AMBITIONS ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Giacomo Martino - Northeastern

Giacomo Martino (Fr., F; Toronto, Ont.) led all Hockey East rookies with two goals, helped Northeastern to a win at No. 13 Boston College. He now has 10 power-play goals on the season, ranking 10th nationally and tied for first among all Hockey East rookies and second among all Hockey East skaters.

ARMY ROTC DEFENDER OF THE WEEK

Owen Murray - Massachusetts

Owen Murray (Sr., D; Decker, Man.) had two points (1g, 1a) in a 2-0-0 week that helped launch UMass into second place in the final Hockey East standings. The senior had five blocked shots and scored the game winner in the third period of UMass’ 2-1 win over #13 Boston College. He added an assist and blocked three shots in a 4-2 win at New Hampshire.

STOP IT GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Michael Hrabal - Massachusetts

Michael Hrabal (Jr., G; Prague, Czechia) posted a 1.50 goals against average and a .952 save percentage in a 2-0-0 week. He stopped 60 of 63 shots as two of three goals allowed came on the power play and concluded the regular season with the second-best save percentage in league history (.952). He made 34 saves in a 2-1 win over Boston College and stopped 26 shots against UNH.

HOCKEY EAST TOP PERFORMERS

Jay Ahearn, UML (Gr., F; Staten Island, N.Y.) Scored a goal in both games of a weekend split. With the goals, he reached 100 career points and is tied for the team lead with 13 goals.

Diego Buttazzoni, UML (Fr., F; Langley, B.C.) Netted his sixth tally of the year early in the third period of a 4-3 win over Boston University to give the team a 2-1 lead.

TJ Schweighardt, UML (Sr., D; Manahawkin, N.J.) Had a three-point weekend on three assists. He picked up one helper on Thursday at Merrimack, before tallying two in a 4-3 win over BU on Saturday.

Samuel Richard, UML (Sr., G; Sainte-Catherine, Que.) Backstopped the River Hawks in a 4-3 win on Saturday against BU and making 24 saves in the process.

Justin Gill, MC (Fr., F; St-Joseph-du-Lac, Que.) Scored twice in Friday’s 5-3 win over UMass Lowell, becoming the first Warrior to reach 15 goals in a season since Hampus Gustafsson in 2016-17.

Max Lundgren, MC (Jr., G; Angelholm, Sweden) Made 34 saves in a 5-3 win against Lowell. He has played every minute of every game where a goalie has been in net for the Warriors in the regular season.

Vinny Borgesi, NU (Sr., D; Philadelphia, Pa.) Tallied an assist on the insurance goal in Northeastern’s 4-2 upset over No. 13 Boston College, posting a team-high plus-two rating to go along with two shots and two blocked shots. He has recorded a point in all three of Northeastern’s upset victories over the Eagles this season. He also is second in the conference with 49 blocked shots on the season

Lawton Zacher, NU (Jr., G; Buffalo, N.Y.) Turned aside 25 shots in Northeastern’s 4-2 upset over No. 13 Boston College, posting a .926 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average to earn his 14th win of the sea- son. His 875 saves and .932 save percentage on the season rank second among all Hockey East goaltenders.

Jack Parsons, PC (Fr., G; Cortland, N.Y.) Stopped 37 of 38 shots in the Friars’ 3-1 win over UConn on Saturday night, good for a 1.00 GAA and .974 save percentage. Parsons finished the regular season with a 13-3 record, 1.94 GAA and .924 save percentage in 17 appearances.