UConn Hockey Wins in OT, Advances to Hockey East Championship | Fraser Scores Game-Winner

BOSTON, Mass. – A clutch overtime goal from senior left-wing Tristan Fraser propelled the UConn Huskies to a 4-3 victory over the Boston College Eagles in a thrilling Hockey East semifinal matchup Friday night at TD Garden, securing UConn’s place in the championship game.

The game was a tightly contested affair from the opening faceoff. Boston College drew first blood with a power-play opportunity early in the first period, but the goal was immediately disallowed due to a goaltender interference call. Despite the early setback, the Eagles continued to pressure UConn, earning another power play later in the period. The Huskies’ penalty kill unit proved resilient, successfully neutralizing both Boston College advantages. The period ended scoreless, though not without physical play from both sides.

Early in the second period, Dean Letourneau capitalized on a Boston College power play, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead. UConn responded swiftly, with Trey Scott firing a shot from the point that eluded Boston College goaltender Louka Cloutier, tying the game at one. Still, Boston College regained the lead before the period’s end, scoring another power-play goal. UConn quickly answered once more, this time with Mike Murtagh setting up Ethan Whitcomb for a goal that leveled the score at two. Despite earning a power play of their own, the Huskies were unable to convert, leaving the game tied heading into the third.

The third period saw UConn assert more control, dominating the five-on-five play. With under ten minutes remaining, UConn goaltender Tyler Muszelik delivered a series of crucial saves during a Boston College rush. The Huskies immediately transitioned to offense, and Murtagh found the back of the net, giving UConn a 3-2 advantage. The lead proved short-lived, as Boston College responded with a goal of their own, tying the game at three after a failed zone clear by UConn. Despite both teams pressing for a go-ahead goal, regulation time ended with the score locked at three, forcing the game into sudden-death overtime.

The overtime period was dominated by UConn. Just 1:18 into the extra frame, after Tabor Heaslip maintained possession in the offensive zone, Fraser fired a shot that deflected off two Boston College defenders and past Cloutier, securing the game-winning goal and sending the Huskies to the Hockey East Championship.

UConn will now face the eighth-seeded Merrimack College in the Hockey East Championship game, scheduled for 7 p.m. On Saturday.