MANCHESTER, N.H. — In a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s national championship game, the Boston College men’s hockey team faced off against the Denver Pioneers in the NCAA Tournament regional final on March 30, 2025. Unfortunately for the Eagles, history repeated itself as they fell to Denver once again, this time by a score of 3-1. Denver goalie Matt Davis was a wall in net, making 35 saves to secure the victory and earn his team a spot in the Frozen Four.
Denver’s scoring opened late in the first period when defenseman Eric Pohlkamp found the back of the net at 18:19, giving the Pioneers a crucial 1-0 lead. The Eagles, despite outshooting Denver 11-5 in the opening frame, were unable to capitalize on their chances. A potential goal by Boston College forward Gabe Perreault was disallowed after the net was dislodged prior to the puck crossing the goal line, leaving the Eagles frustrated.
Things didn’t get easier for BC in the second period. Just 2:59 in, Denver extended their lead to 2-0 with a goal from James Reeder. The Pioneers initially appeared to have scored a third goal shortly after, but the Eagles challenged the play for offside and successfully had the goal overturned, giving them a glimmer of hope.
In the final minute of the second period, BC's Teddy Stiga managed to break through Davis’s defenses, scoring at 19:07 to pull the Eagles within one goal. Stiga’s goal, assisted by Will Vote, sparked excitement among the Boston College fans in attendance, who were hoping for a comeback in the third period.
“I think Teddy’s goal kind of lifted the team and gave us some momentum headed into the third,” said BC captain Eamon Powell, still donning his game jersey during the postgame press conference. “We’ve been a third-period team all year, and we never were going to shy away from anybody.”
Despite the momentum shift, the Eagles were unable to find the equalizer in the final frame. They continued to press hard, outshooting Denver 14-1 in the third period, but Davis stood tall, thwarting every attempt. With just four seconds remaining in the game, Zeev Buium sealed the victory for the Pioneers with an empty-net goal, making the final score 3-1.
“It was like deja vu a little bit,” said BC coach Greg Brown, reflecting on the game. “They played a strong, strong game. It’s hard to beat a great team like that when you only score one, but I’m really pleased with the effort and the pressure that we put on them.”
Jacob Fowler, the Eagles’ goalie, recorded 22 saves in the loss. His efforts, however, were overshadowed by Davis’s standout performance. With this victory, Denver advanced to the Frozen Four for the 20th time in program history, a remarkable achievement that places them among the elite in Division I men’s hockey.
Denver will face off against Western Michigan in the Frozen Four semifinal on April 10 at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, the other semifinal will feature Boston University squaring off against Penn State at 8:30 p.m. on the same day.
The Eagles, finishing their season with a record of 27-8-2, had come into the tournament with high expectations, hoping to avenge last year’s disappointing loss. The team had openly discussed their desire to make a deep run and demonstrate their capabilities, but ultimately fell short against a formidable Denver squad.
As the dust settles on this regional final, questions loom over the future of the Eagles. With a talented roster and strong leadership, they will undoubtedly look to build on this season's experiences, aiming to return to championship contention in the upcoming year.
“Obviously, goals weren’t falling, but at the same time, I’m proud of our third period. The boys really came out hard, and we had our chances,” Powell added. “That’s the cruel part of hockey sometimes.”
As both teams prepare for their next challenges, the excitement of the Frozen Four looms large, promising thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments in the quest for the national title.
