MANCHESTER, N.H. – In a thrilling NCAA Division I men’s hockey tournament matchup, the top-seeded Boston College Eagles narrowly escaped the clutches of defeat, securing a 3-1 victory over the No. 16 seed Bentley Falcons on March 28, 2025, at SNHU Arena. The Eagles scored twice in the final 1:17 of the game, showcasing their resilience and determination to advance to the next round.
The Eagles came out strong, outshooting the Falcons 16-6 in the first period. Boston College opened the scoring late in the first frame when sophomore forward Gabe Perreault found the back of the net at 16:45, assisted by Ryan Leonard and James Hagens. This goal set the tone for what was expected to be a dominant performance from the Eagles.
However, Bentley, making its NCAA tournament debut, refused to back down. The Falcons tied the game at 1-1 early in the second period when Ethan Leyh scored on a power play at 3:21, capitalizing on a lapse in BC’s defense. Leyh’s shot beat Eagles goalie Jacob Fowler, who finished the game with 20 saves.
As the game progressed, both teams had their chances, but it was evident that the Eagles were determined to reclaim the lead. With overtime looming and the clock winding down in the third period, freshman center James Hagens made a pivotal play. He broke the tie with a wrap-around goal at 18:43, taking advantage of a loose puck after a shot from defenseman Aram Minnetian was deflected. Hagens’ goal sent the Eagles’ fans into a frenzy and gave BC a 2-1 lead.
“On the goal, we had a great forecheck there, and we hung onto the puck,” Hagens said. “I saw the goalie was out of the net, and I was lucky to wrap the puck around, and it went in.”
With Bentley pulling their goaltender Connor Hasley in a desperate attempt to equalize, Ryan Leonard sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 19:28, marking his 30th goal of the season. Leonard’s effort not only secured the win but also extended his point streak to an impressive 17 games, the longest in the country.
“It was going to come down to who could make a play in the end, and they gave us all we could handle tonight,” BC coach Greg Brown said. “That was a heck of a hockey game, and we are excited to advance.”
Boston College’s victory improved their overall record to 27-7-2, while Bentley concluded their season with a record of 23-15-2. The Eagles will now face the winner of the semifinal match between Providence and Denver in the NCAA Regional Final on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at 7 p.m., broadcast live on ESPN2.
In terms of statistics, the Eagles dominated the shot count, finishing with a total of 44 shots compared to Bentley’s 15. However, Bentley’s goaltender Connor Hasley was outstanding, making 42 saves and keeping his team competitive throughout the match.
“He has been our anchor, and we are built through him,” Bentley captain Ethan Leyh said of Hasley’s performance. “Once again, he was fantastic and has been all season long.”
Despite the loss, Bentley coach Andy Jones expressed pride in his team’s effort. “I thought it was a terrific hockey game tonight, and I would like to congratulate Boston College on advancing,” he said. “My heart could not be filled with more pride for our hockey team, and we left every single thing we had on the ice.”
With this victory, Boston College improved to 53-44 all-time in NCAA Tournament play and is now 16-3 in first-round games. The Eagles have shown their ability to perform under pressure, having gone 4-0-1 this season when tied entering the third period.
As the tournament progresses, the Eagles will look to build on this momentum and continue their pursuit of the national championship. With a roster filled with talent and determination, Boston College is poised to make a deep run in the tournament.
Next up, fans can look forward to the regional final where BC will aim to further solidify their status as a powerhouse in collegiate hockey. The matchup promises to be another exciting chapter in the Eagles’ storied NCAA history.
