Champs’ hopes of repeat dashed

Quinnipiac’s run ends with overtime loss to Boston College

Quinnipiac had become the kings of overtime, but top-ranked Boston College finally dethroned the champions on Sunday.

Jack Malone scored 3:06 into OT to lift the Eagles to a 5-4 victory in the Regional final, ending Quinnipiac’s hopes to return to the Frozen Four and repeat as NCAA champions. BC prevailed in a back-and-forth game at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence.

The Bobcats took a 2-0 lead in the second period on goals from Jacob Quillan and Livari Rasanen, 35 seconds apart, But Boston College responded with goals from Ryan Leonard and Andre Gasseau. Quinnipiac, which is known for great defense and low-scoring games, found itself in a goal-fest.

Christophe Fillion scored to but Quinnipiac back on top, but Leonard scored again to tie it.

Quillian, the OT hero of the national final last April, scored his second of the game to give the Bobcats a 4-3 lead 56 seconds into the third period, but BC tied it again 4 minutes later on a goal by Aram Minnetian.

The 4-4 tie held, and Quinnipiac, which beat Wisconsin in overtime on Friday, was in its third consecutive overtime game in NCAA play.

But Colby Ambrosio and Drew Fortescue worked the puck to Malone, a grad transfer from Cornell, in front of the net for the winning goal.

BC, the Hockey East champs, has been at the top of the rankings most of the season, and is the No.1 overall seed in the tournament.

The Eagles had a slight edge in shots, 32-30.

Vinny Duplessis made 23 saves for Quinnipiac, which finished the season 27-10-2. BC moves on to the semifinals in St. Paul, Minnesota, in two weeks.