MANCHESTER, N.H. – A historic season for the Bentley hockey team that saw the Falcons win the first Atlantic Hockey championship in program history came to a close with a hard-fought 3-1 defeat to #1 overall seed Boston College in the NCAA Regional on Friday. As they did all season, the Falcons battled tooth and nail for 60 minutes and made life difficult for their opponent. But BC ultimately advanced to the regional final with a late goal by James Hagens with 1:18 left to break a 1-1 tie.
"My heart could not be filled with more pride for our hockey team. We left every single thing we had on the ice," said head coach Andy Jones. "I always tell our guys when I'm proud. I don't know if I've ever been more proud of them than I am tonight."
After a slow start that saw BC take a 1-0 lead at 16:45 of the 1st period on a goal by Gabe Perreault, the Falcons grew into the game. Falcons goalie Connor Hasley helped keep it to a 1-0 contest with 15 saves in the opening 20 minutes. After the first intermission, Bentley started to establish itself and scored the tying goal off the stick of captain Ethan Leyh at 3:21 of the second period. On the power play after a tripping penalty on the Eagles, Leyh tied it with his 17th goal of the season and 42nd point. The puck was worked down low and Stephen Castagna had it as he drove net front. He slid a pass across the crease to Leyh who fired a shot over the glove of Jacob Fowler to tie it 1-1.
Hasley had 12 saves in the second period. The third period saw Bentley's penalty kill come up with two clutch kills, including a 5-on-3 for 18 seconds. The go-ahead goal came after a shot from the point by Aram Minneitan went wide of the net. Hagens was first to the rebound and scored on a wrap-around to give BC the lead with 1:17 remaining. Ryan Leonard added an empty-net goal with 32 seconds left, sealing the victory for the Eagles.
Hasley finished the game with 41 saves, marking his second game this season with 40-plus saves. He ends the year with 21 wins, a new program record, and 11 shutouts, tied for the second most in NCAA history. The Falcons concluded their season with a record of 23-15-2, breaking the school record for wins.
Boston College's victory marks a significant moment in their tournament journey as they prepare to face the winner of the Providence vs. Denver matchup on Sunday, March 30, 2025. The Eagles, who entered the tournament as the top seed, had previously won the Hockey East regular season championship before falling to Northeastern in the conference tournament quarterfinals.
In the first period, the Eagles dominated possession, taking a 1-0 lead with Perreault's goal, assisted by Ryan Leonard and Hagens. The Falcons, however, showed resilience throughout the game, with Leyh's power-play goal demonstrating their ability to compete against a formidable opponent.
Despite the loss, Bentley's journey this season has been remarkable. The Falcons not only captured their first Atlantic Hockey championship but also made their inaugural appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Their playoff run was impressive, as they had outscored opponents 14-2 leading up to this game.
Fans watched the game live on ESPNU, with a strong turnout at SNHU Arena in Manchester, NH. The atmosphere was electric as both teams fought for a chance to advance in the tournament. The Eagles' victory over Bentley highlights their depth and skill, with key players like Hagens and Leonard stepping up in critical moments.
The 2025 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four will be hosted in St. Louis at Enterprise Center, with the semifinals scheduled for April 10 and the national championship game on April 12. As the Eagles look to continue their postseason success, Bentley will reflect on a season filled with achievements and growth.
In the end, while Boston College moves on, Bentley leaves the tournament with their heads held high, having made history and laid a strong foundation for the future of their program.
