3/20/22 by Claire Overton
It’s that time of year again, the Hockey East Championship is back at the TD Garden. This year, the Merrimack College Warriors and the Boston University Terriers are facing off for the title. It is the Terriers 13th appearance in the Hockey East Championship and the Warriors second appearance.
In the beginning of the first period, the Merrimack Warriors had multiple consecutive breakaways, ultimately ending in the first goal of the game. With an assist from senior Ben Brar (#18), junior defenseman Christian Felton (#2) netted a short-handed goal just 6:57 into the game. At the end of the period, the Warriors found themselves down two players. Mike Brown (#4) and Ben Brar (#18) both entered the penalty box at the end of the first period carrying on into the second for slashing and interference, respectively.
After the first intermission, the Boston Terriers were still up two players and they came out swinging. Just 38 seconds into the second period, freshman defenseman and Montreal Canadiens prospect, Lane Hutson (#20) netted the puck tying up the game, 1-1. It was looking like anyone’s game until Merrimack’s captain Mac Welsher (#17) scored seconds after a faceoff. The quick one-two punch started when Tristan Crozier won the faceoff, passing it to Welsher who put it away, giving Merrimack the 2-1 lead.
The third period was looking uneventful until just under half way through, the Terriers netted a much needed goal, tying up the game and bringing their fans to life. Philadelphia Flyers prospect Devin Kaplan (#21) scored the goal assisted by fellow forward Jamie Armstrong (#12) with 10:58 left in the game. With less than a minute left in regulation, both teams were in full press, but neither were successful, sending the game into overtime.
Less than two minutes into overtime, Boston University scored the game winning goal. Assisted by Matt Brown (#37) and Sam Stevens (#25), Lane Hutson (#20) scored his second goal of the night, winning the Hockey East Tournament for his team. This is the Terriers 10th Hockey East Tournament title.