Providence rolls into title game
The Providence Friars didn’t even know if they would make it to the NCAA tournament.
Now, they are a victory away from the first title in school history.
Noel Acciari and Mark Jankowski scored second-period goals, Jon Gillies made 25 saves and Providence beat Nebraska-Omaha, 4-1, Thursday night in the Frozen Four to advance to the championship for the second time in school history.
Trevor Mingoia and Nick Saracino also scored for the Friars (25-13-2). Providence will face Hockey East rival Boston University in the title game Saturday night at TD Garden.
“I think it talks about the parity in college hockey,” Providence coach Nate Leaman said. “We were a hundredth of a point away of not making it to the tournament and we felt like we had as great season.
“It used to be if you could get 20 wins, you were a lock into getting into the tournament. This year, we had 22 and we were in a battle with Bowling Green [for the last spot].”
The Friars, making their fifth appearance in the final four, lost to RPI in the 1985 title game in Detroit.
“We came up here expecting to win, so we treated this like the front nine,” Gillies said. “Refresh, regroup and get ready for Saturday.”
Jake Guentzel scored and Ryan Massa made 44 saves for Nebraska-Omaha (20-136).
The Mavericks were making their first appearance in the Frozen Four.
“It was a very special year,” Mavericks freshman forward Jake Randolph said. “Starting with the seniors, I’ve never met such a great group of guys that were such leaders to us freshman and all of these younger guys. It was unbelievable. That’s the one word I can say — special.”
Other game
Boston University 5, North Dakota 3: Jack Eichel scored two goals and the Terriers held off North Dakota to advance to the championship. Eichel opened the scoring on a power play in the first period, Brandon Hickey also had a power-play score and A.J. Greer and Doyle Somerby had second-period goals for the Terriers (28-7-5). Matt O’Connor made 36 saves for the Terriers, seeking their sixth NCAA title. Luke Johnson, Troy Stecher and Connor Gaarder scored for North Dakota (29-10-3).