McKenna Goes First in 2026 NHL Draft

As expected, left wing Gavin McKenna (Penn State) was the first overall pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs at this year's NHL Draft in Buffalo tonight.

Several other current NCAA players were selected in the first round on Friday night at KeyBank Arena. Keaton Verhoeff (North Dakota), a defenseman, was chosen ninth overall by the San Jose Sharks, while center Tyan Lawrence (Boston University) went 11th to the St. Louis Blues, and left wing Oscar Hemming (Boston College) went 14th to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Buffalo Sabres tabbed center Ilia Morozov (Miami) 20th overall.

As for incoming and future collegiate skaters, the Vancouver Canucks chose center Caleb Malhotra (Boston University) third overall, while defenseman Daxon Rudolph (Denver) was taken one spot later by host Buffalo. Carson Carels (North Dakota), another defenseman, went sixth to the Calgary Flames, while Chase Reid (Michigan State) went seventh to the Seattle Kraken. Left wing Wyatt Cullen (Minnesota) was tabbed 10th by the Nashville Predators, followed by right wing Nikita Klepov (Michigan State) at 15th to the Anaheim Ducks and left wing Ethan Belchetz (Michigan State) at 17th to the Utah Mammoth.

San Jose chose defenseman Ryan Lin (Denver) 21st overall, while right wing Liam Ruck (North Dakota) went to the Pittsburgh Penguins with the very next selection and left wing JP Hurlbert (Michigan) went 23rd to the Detroit Red Wings. The Philadelphia Flyers chose defenseman Maksim Sokolovskii (Maine) 27th overall, with center Jack Hextall (Michigan State) going three selections later to Calgary and defenseman Thomas Bleyl (Michigan State) right after to the Nashville Predators. The final pick of the first round was right wing Jaxon Cover (Penn State), who went 32nd overall to the Ottawa Senators.

The 2026 draft concludes Saturday with Rounds 2-7 (11 a.m. ET, NHL Network). The full list of college-related selections can be found here. 

MSU, Michigan Tech Win GLI Semifinals

Charlie Stramel scored two goals and assisted on another as third-ranked Michigan State defeated Ferris State, 5-1, in a Great Lakes Invitational semifinal on Sunday at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. Trey Augustine made 20 stops for the Spartans (13-4-0 overall), who are seeking their second consecutive GLI title. Hobie Hedquist stopped 18 of 19 shots in relief for the Bulldogs (4-15-0).

MSU will face Michigan Tech (11-6-2) in the final tonight ( 7 p.m. ET, BiG+). The Huskies defeated Miami, 5-2, in the others semifinal, as Stiven Sardarian scored two goals and set up another, and Owen Bartoszkiewicz stopped 26 shots. Matteo Drobca made 28 saves for the Red Hawks (10-7-2), who will face Ferris in the consolation game.

ADDENDUM: Stramel scored two more goals, including the game-winner, and earned tournament MVP accolades as MSU topped MTU, 4-1, to win its second straight GLI title. Miami won the consolation game over Ferris, 4-2.

Devils Top Oilers, 5-3, in Matinee

The New Jersey Devils continued their early-season roll by besting the Edmonton Oilers, 5-3, today in an NHL matinee at the Prudential Center in Newark.

Brett Pesce (New Hampshire) assisted on the Devils' game-opening goal in the second period, while Jack Roslovic (Miami) had an assist for the Oilers on their first goal, after the Devils had taken a 2-1 lead. Luke Glendening (Michigan) notched four hits in all and also helped set up New Jersey's third goal, which came shorthanded. 

New Jersey outshot Edmonton, 30-23, on the afternoon, while the Oilers won 29 out of 50 faceoffs overall. The two teams will finish their two-game season series on Jan. 20 in Alberta.

Texas Stays Alive in AHL Western Final

Curtis McKenzie (Miami) scored just over two minutes into overtime to keep the Texas Stars alive with a 2-1 win over the visiting Abbotsford Canucks tonight in Game Five of the AHL's 2025 Eastern Conference Final. The Canucks still lead the best-of-seven series, three games to two, with Game Six scheduled for Abbotsford on Sunday night.

Jack Becker (Arizona State) assisted on McKenzie's goal in sudden death, while Justin Hryckowian (Northeastern) tallied Texas' only goal in regulation. Max Sasson (Western Michigan) assisted on Abbotsford's only goal of the game. The winner of the series will face the Eastern Conference champion Charlotte Checkers in the 2025 Calder Cup Final.

NCAA Players Step Up in 2025 NHL Playoffs

Three more Stanley Cup Playoff series were extended on Saturday, with contributions from several former NCAA players.

Vegas topped Minnesota, 4-3 in overtime on the road, knotting that best-of-seven series at two wins apiece, as Reilly Smith (Miami) assisted on the game-winning goal. Jack Eichel (Boston University) assisted on the game-opening goal for the victorious Golden Knights. 

In Colorado, the host Avalanche tied their series at two games each with a 4-0 blanking of Dallas as Brock Nelson (North Dakota) set up two goals for the home team. Devon Toews (Quinnipiac) also had an assist for the Avs, while Jake Oettinger (Boston University) stopped 31 of 34 shots for the visiting Stars before giving way to Casey DeSmith (New Hampshire), who stopped 13 of 14 shots. 

Host Ottawa staved off elimination with a 4-3 OT win over Toronto, which had won the first three games of the series. Jake Sanderson (North Dakota) scored the game-winner from long distance in the extra session, and also assisted on the Senators' first goal, as did team captain Brady Tkachuk (Boston University). Shane Pinto (North Dakota) scored a shorthanded goal for the Sens, while Adam Gaudette (Northeastern) assisted on Ottawa's third goal. Matthew Knies (Minnesota) scored Toronto's second goal, while Anthony Stolarz (Omaha) finished with 17 stops in goal for the Maple Leafs.

Tampa Bay topped defending NHL champion Florida, 5-1, on Saturday in Game Three of their series, thanks to a goal and two assists from Jake Guentzel (Omaha), while Luke Glendening (Michigan) also scored for the Lightning. The host Panthers, who got an assist from Evan Rodrigues (Boston University) still leads the series, two games to one.

Miami's Martinez Retires from NHL

Longtime NHL defenseman Alec Martinez (Miami) announced his retirement as an active player over the weekend. He made his final appearance on April 12 in the Chicago Blackhawks' 5-4 shootout loss to Winnipeg, recording two shots on goal and two blocked shots in almost 18 minutes of ice time.

Martinez, 37, from Rochester Hills, Mich., was drafted 95th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2007. In 862 career NHL regular-season games over 16 seasons with Los Angeles, Vegas and Chicago, he recorded 88 goals and 201 assists for 289 points to go with 250 penalty minutes. According to statmuse.com, he ranks 16th all-time among NHL skaters with 1,884 shots blocked, while also recording 16 game-winning goals and a plus-73 plus-minus rating.

In 131 career Stanley Cup Playoff contests, Martinez added 14-23—37 points and 47 PIM while winning three Cups in all, two with LA and one with Vegas, and also scored the Cup-clinching in overtime with the Kings in 2014. He also played in 150 career minor-league regular-season games, 147 of them in the AHL, along with 11 games for TPS (Finland) in 2012-13. In addition, he skated for the United States in the 2018 and 2019 IIHF World Championships, winning a bronze medal the first year.

A product of Stoney Creek (Mich.) High School and the Detroit-area Honeybaked AAA youth program, Martinez played at Miami from 2005 to 2008 after winning the USHL's Clark Cup with Cedar Rapids in 2004-05. In 123 career outings with the Red Hawks, he tallied 21-46—67 points and 113 PIM while helping Miami to 83 wins overall, three NCAA tournament berths and one CCHA regular-season crown. He also earned Second Team All-America accolades in his final season in Oxford, Oh. 

NCAA Alums on Move at 2025 NHL Trade Deadline

A number of former NCAA players were on the move before Friday's NHL trading deadline, as listed by last name (per Sportsnet.ca and hockeydb.com), for transactions occurring since March 1:

Player, Position (School) New Team Old Team

Brendan Brisson, F (Michigan) NY Rangers Vegas

Dennis Cholowski, D (St. Cloud) New Jersey NY Islanders

Charlie Coyle, F (Boston University) Colorado Boston

Vincent Desharnais, D (Providence) San Jose Pittsburgh

Brian Dumoulin, D (Boston College) New Jersey Anaheim

Michael Eyssimont, F (St. Cloud) Seattle Tampa Bay

Trent Frederic, F (Wisconsin) New Jersey      Edmonton

Dennis Gilbert, D (Notre Dame) Ottawa Buffalo

Patrick Giles, F (Boston College) San Jose Florida

Jonathan Gruden, F (Miami) New Jersey Pittsburgh

Mark Jankowski, F (Providence) Carolina Nashville

Erik Johnson, D (Minnesota) Colorado Philadelphia

Spencer Knight, G (Boston College) Chicago Florida

Luke Kunin, F (Wisconsin) Columbus San Jose

Ryan Lindgren, D (Minnesota) Colorado NY Rangers

Tyler Madden, F (Northeastern) Minnesota Los Angeles

Marc McLaughlin, F (Boston College) New Jersey Boston

Casey Mittelstadt, F (Minnesota) Boston Colorado

Brock Nelson, F (North Dakota) Colorado NY Islanders

Josh Norris, F (Michigan) Ottawa Buffalo

Thomas Novak, F (Minnesota) Pittsburgh Nashville

Gustav Nyquist, F (Maine) Minnesota Nashville

Craig Smith, F (Wisconsin) Detroit Chicago

Reilly Smith, F (Miami) Vegas NY Rangers

Carson Soucy, D (Minnesota-Duluth) NY Rangers Vancouver

Nico Sturm, F (Clarkson) Florida San Jose

Brandon Tanev, F (Providence) Winnipeg Seattle

Jimmy Vesey, F (Harvard) Colorado NY Rangers

Jake Walman, D (Providence) Edmonton San Jose

Former NCAA Players on Move in NHL

A number of former NCAA players were on the move with the beginning of NHL free agency on July 1 (players listed alphabetically by last name, not a complete list):

Player, Position (School) New Club Old Club

Zach Aston-Reese, F (Northeastern) Vegas Detroit

Cam Atkinson, F (Boston College) Tampa Bay Philadelphia

Brandon Biro, F (Penn State) Buffalo Seattle

Ian Cole, D (Notre Dame)                Utah            Vancouver

Devin Colley, G (Denver) Calgary San Jose

Jeremy Davies, D (Northeastern) Ottawa Buffalo

Collin Delia, G (Merrimack) Edmonton Winnipeg

Casey DeSmith, G (New Hampshire) Dallas Vancouver

Sheldon Dries, F (Western Michigan) Vancouver Detroit

Josh Dunne, F (Clarkson) Columbus Buffalo

Casey Fitzgerald, D (Boston College) NY Rangers Florida

Warren Foegele, F (New Hampshire) Los Angeles Edmonton

Adam Gaudette, F (Northeastern) Ottawa St. Louis

Dennis Gilbert, D (Notre Dame) Buffalo Calgary

Shayne Gostisbehere (Union)             Carolina        Detroit

Troy Grosenick, G (Union) Nashville Minnesota

Matt Grzelcyk, D (Boston University) Pittsburgh Boston

Danton Heinen, F (Denver) Vancouver Boston

Cameron Hughes, F (Wisconsin) Dallas Seattle

Tyson Jost, F (North Dakota) Vegas Buffalo

Cole Koepke, F (Minnesota-Duluth) Tampa Bay Boston

Tanner Laczynski, F (Ohio State) Vegas Philadelphia

Alec Martinez, D (Miami) Chicago Vegas

Ben Meyers, F (Minnesota) Seattle Anaheim

Tyler Motte, F (Michigan) Detroit Tampa Bay

Jordan Oesterle, D (Western Michigan) Boston Calgary

Jack Rathbone, D (Harvard) Buffalo Pittsburgh 

Eric Robinson, F (Princeton) Carolina Buffalo

Steven Santini, D (Boston College) Tampa Bay Los Angeles

Kiefer Sherwood, F (Miami) Vancouver Nashville

Devin Shore, F (Maine) Minnesota Seattle

Nate Schmidt, D (Minnesota) Florida Winnipeg

Joe Snively, F (Yale) Detroit Washington

Anthony Stolarz, G (Omaha) Toronto Florida

Billy Sweezey, D (Yale) Boston Columbus

Cam Talbot, G (Alabama-Huntsville) Detroit Los Angeles

Jason Zucker, F (Denver)                Buffalo         Nashville

Miami, Stonehill Hire New Coaches

Two NCAA Division I men's hockey schools have already hired new head coaches.

Miami University of the NCHC has tabbed longtime junior hockey coach Anthony Noreen as the next bench boss of the RedHawks. He succeeds Miami alumnus Chris Bergeron, who was let go after managing only 35 wins in all over the last five seasons. A graduate of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he skated on defense and captained the Pointers, Noreen has served as a USHL head coach with both Youngstown and Tri-City, twice earning USHL Coach of the Year accolades, and as a pro head coach with Orlando (ECHL). A Chicago native, he began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater. Noreen, 41, will remain with Tri-City, where he has coached since 2017-18, until the Storm's current campaign ends. As of April 1, he had fashioned an overall record of 236-126-24-18 with Tri-City.

NCAA Division I independent Stonehill College has chosen David Berard as its next head coach. A Providence College product and former Friars goaltender, Berard, 53, was previously the head coach at Holy Cross, compiling an overall record of 96-122-35 over seven seasons with the Crusaders, after assistant/associate coaching stints at his alma mater, Colby, Lake Superior State, and UConn. He spent the last three years in athletic administration at Providence. A native of West Warwick, R.I., Berard succeeds David Borges, who retired from Stonehill last month after 10 seasons at the helm of the Skyhawks.

Bergeron Out at Miami After Five Seasons

Miami University is the latest NCAA Division I men's hockey school that is on the lookout for a new head coach.

The RedHawks have parted ways with alumnus Chris Bergeron after five years at the helm in Oxford, Ohio. In that time, he compiled an overall record of 35-116-16, with no more than eight wins in any single season, and no playoff victories. Miami completed the 2023-24 campaign at 7-26-3 overall (1-26-2 NCHC), and was winless in its last 16 outings (0-15-1). The RedHawks, who have not enjoyed a winning season since 2014-15 when they won the NCHC and last made the NCAA tournament, were swept at North Dakota in an NCHC first-round playoff series last weekend.

Bergeron fashioned a record of 171-154-44 as head coach at Bowling Green from 2010 to 2019, including five consecutive 20-win seasons in his final five years there, plus a pair of appearances in the WCHA championship game. He led the Falcons to their first NCAA Tournament in 29 years in 2019, where they fell to defending NCAA champion Minnesota-Duluth, 2-1, in overtime in a regional final in Allentown, Pa.

Bergeron, 53, from Wallaceburg, Ont., skated for Miami as a forward from 1989 to 1993. He tallied 48 goals and 72 assists for 120 points in his collegiate career, and then led Miami in scoring as a senior with 21-40—61 points that season, as the then-Redskins won their first-ever CCHA title and made the NCAAs for the first time in program history. He then played professionally from 1993 to 2000 in several leagues, including a stint with the Canadian National Team, before joining Miami as an assistant coach in 2000-01, where he remained until taking the head job at BGSU.

Miami is now expected to conduct a national search for Bergeron's successor.

Vegas Wins First-Ever Stanley Cup

Reilly Smith (Miami) notched the decisive goal, Alec Martinez (Miami) added another score, and Jack Eichel (Boston University) posted three assists on the night as the Vegas Golden Knights won their first-ever Stanley Cup with a 9-3 rout of the visiting Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. Vegas won the best-of-seven series, four games to one, one year after missing the playoffs entirely..

Vegas, which made the Cup final during its inaugural NHL campaign in 2017-18 but lost to Washington, won its first championship in its sixth season after ousting Winnipeg, Edmonton and Dallas to claim the Western Conference crown. Florida, in the final for the first time since 1996, fell short again after defeating Boston, Toronto and Carolina to win the Eastern Conference this spring.

Smith tallied the game-winning goal just over 12 minutes into the second period to make it 4-1, less than two minutes after Martinez scored for Vegas before a record 19,058 on-lookers at T-Mobile Arena. Eichel, playing in his first-ever pro postseason, finished with 26 points on six goals and 20 assists in 22 games. In the final, he registered eight assists in five games. Martinez won his third career Cup, having previously helped the Los Angeles Kings to their first-ever league titles in 2012 and 2014.

Other former NCAA players on the Golden Knights' roster this spring included: Teddy Blueger (Minnesota State); Paul Cotter (Western Michigan); Ben Hutton (Maine); Phil Kessel (Minnesota); Jonathan Quick (UMass), and; Zach Whitecloud (Bemidji State). Kessel and Quick, who did not play in the final, each won their third Cup.

Vegas Up Two Games in Stanley Cup Final

Jack Eichel (Boston University) set up two goals and Alec Martinez (Miami) scored another as the Vegas Golden Knights routed the visiting Florida Panthers, 7-2, last night to take a two games to none lead in the best-of-seven 2023 Stanley Cup Final.

Eichel assisted on Vegas' first and fifth goals, while Martinez notched the second goal of the game for the Golden Knights, who have outscored the Panthers, 12-4, though the first two games of the series. Eichel is also tied for second among NHL skaters this postseason with 22 points in 19 games, and has recorded four assists so far in the final.

Game Three is Thursday night in Sunrise, Fla. Both clubs are seeking the first-ever Stanley Cup in their respective franchise's history.

2023 Stanley Cup Final Starts Tonight

The 2023 Stanley Cup Final has arrived. A number of former NCAA players can be found on both sides as the Florida Panthers take on the Vegas Golden Knights, starting tonight in Nevada, as each club seeks its first-ever NHL postseason title:

Florida Panthers 

Zac Dalpe (Ohio State)

Casey Fitzgerald (Boston College)

Matthew Kiersted (North Dakota)

Spencer Knight (Boston College)

Ryan Lomberg (Maine)

Alex Lyon (Yale)

Colin White (Boston College)

Vegas Golden Knights

Teddy Blueger (Minnesota State)

Paul Cotter (Western Michigan)

Jack Eichel (Boston University)

Ben Hutton (Maine)

Phil Kessel (Minnesota) *

Alec Martinez (Miami) *

Jonathan Quick (UMass) *

Reilly Smith (Miami)

Zach Whitecloud (Bemidji State)

* Indicates previous Stanley Cup winner

The best-of-seven series continues Tuesday in Vegas, then shifts to Florida on Thursday and next Saturday for Games Three and Four. All games will start at 8 p.m. ET. (Sportsnet, TBS, TNT)

Vegas Advances to 2023 Stanley Cup Final

Reilly Smith (Miami) set up two goals and Alec Martinez (Miami) assisted on another as the Vegas Golden Knights advanced to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final with a 6-0 win over the host Dallas Stars in Game Six of the Western Conference final tonight.

After dropping the previous two contests in the series, the Golden Knights raced out to a 3-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes and cruised to their second-ever Stanley Cup Final appearance, and first since their inaugural NHL campaign in 2017-18. Reilly assisted on Vegas' second and sixth goals of the game, while Martinez helped set up Vegas' third goal and also finished with a plus-3 rating on the night

The Golden Knights will now face the Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final that begins on Saturday night in Nevada, with both clubs seeking their first-ever Stanley Cup title. Vegas fell to Washington in five games five years ago, while Florida was swept by Colorado in 1996 in the Panthers' only previous NHL finals appearance.

U.S. Wins 2023 WJC Opener in Canada

The United States is off to a good start at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship in eastern Canada. 

Team USA posted a 5-2 victory over Latvia on Monday in Moncton, N.B. to open this year's tournament, as five different players scored for the Americans. Sean Behrens (Denver) and Red Savage (Miami) tallied a goal and an assist apiece for the U.S., while Dylan Duke (Michigan) set up two goals and Trey Augustine made 15 saves in net.

The 2023 U.S. WJC squad this year features no less than 20 players from 12 different NCAA Division I schools. The head coach for the Americans this year is Rand Pecknold (Quinnipiac University).

Team USA will face Slovakia in its next WJC match-up, on Thursday at the Avenir Centre in Moncton.

Andy Greene Retires as NHL Player

Longtime NHL defenseman Andy Greene (Miami) has called it a career.

Greene, 39, from Trenton, Mich., signed a one-day contract this week with his original team, the New Jersey Devils, before retiring as an active player after 16 full NHL campaigns.

In 1057 NHL regular-season outings with the Devils and New York Islanders, from 2006-07 through 2021-22, Greene scored 52 goals and assisted on 212 others for 264 career points, to go along with 277 penalty minutes. A former Devils captain (2014-2020), the 5-foot-11 Greene added 5-9⁠—14 points and 42 PIM in 90 career Stanley Cup playoff contests. He helped New Jersey to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, and after being traded to New York during the 2019-20 season, helped the Islanders to both the 2020 and 2021 Eastern Conference finals.

A product of his hometown Trenton High School, Greene also played two full years of junior hockey with Compuware (NAHL) in Plymouth, Mich., earning NAHL Defenseman of the Year accolades in 2001-02 while also leading the Ambassadors to the Robertson Cup championship. He then enrolled at Miami (Ohio), where he tallied 27-87—114 points and 256 PIM over four years. He was a two-time All-America selection and a two-time CCHA Best Offensive Defenseman choice, and led the Red Hawks to the 2005-06 CCHA regular season title and two NCAA tournament appearances. He also served as Miami's captain his last two seasons.

An undrafted free agent, Greene signed with the Devils in 2006. He played 52 games with Lowell (AHL), and also skated in the AHL All-Star Game that season, before joining New Jersey for its 2007 playoff run and spending the rest of his career in the NHL. He also suited up for Team USA in the 2010 IIHF World Championship in Germany.

Former NCAA Players Shine in NHL Playoffs

Former NCAA players came through again on Monday night in the first round of the NHL's 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Kyle Connor (Michigan) scored early in the third overtime to lift the Winnipeg Jets to a 4-3 win over the visiting Edmonton Oilers, and a sweep of that four-game series. Mason Appleton (Michigan State) also scored for the Jets, who will play the winner of Montreal-Toronto.

Cam Talbot (Alabama-Huntsville) stopped 38 shots as the visiting Minnesota Wild defeated the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-2, to stave off elimination in Game Five of that best-of-seven series. Zach Parise (North Dakota), Jordan Greenway (Boston University) and Nico Strum (Clarkson) scored goals for Minnesota, while Alec Martinez (Miami) had a goal for Vegas.

Lastly, after surrendering an early goal to Ross Colton (Vermont) on the first shot he faced, Spencer Knight (Boston College) stopped the next 36 shots in his first career professional postseason start to keep the Florida Panthers alive with a 4-1 win over the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Five of their series.

St. Thomas Chooses Blasi as Coach

St. Thomas University has found its first NCAA Division I men's hockey head coach.

The Tommies, who are moving up from Division III to begin play in the new CCHA this fall, last week chose longtime former Miami head coach Enrico Blasi, who has spent this season working in administration at Providence College, as their new bench boss.

Blasi, a former Miami forward, guided his alma mater from 1999 to 2019, and posted an overall record of 398-311-76 in that span. He led the RedHawks to 10 NCAA tournament berths, including eight straight appearances from 2005 to 2013, plus the 2009 national title game. He also led Miami to two CCHA regular-season championships and two CCHA postseason crowns, to go with the 2015 NCHC playoff title after the Red Hawks changed conferences when the original CCHA folded.

Blasi's hiring is one of several recent coaching moves at college hockey's highest level. Colorado College parted ways with Mike Haviland last month after seven seasons, while David Berard just resigned from Holy Cross, also after seven seasons.

NCAA Players Shine at NHL's Lake Tahoe Weekend

The 2021 NHL Outdoors weekend at Lake Tahoe in Stateline, Nevada has come and gone, with more than a few former NCAA players making their marks both nights.

On Saturday, the Colorado Avalanche edged the Vegas Golden Knights, 3-2. The game was postponed for nearly 10 hours following the daytime first period, due to the sun adversely affecting ice conditions. A shot by Devon Toews (Quinnipiac) from the left point with less then seven minutes remaining in regulation after the restart stood up as the game-winner for the Avalanche, who wore retro reverse jerseys that honored the franchise's previous incarnation as the Quebec Nordiques. Toews also had the lone assist on Colorado's second goal of the game.

Alex Tuch (Boston College) got Vegas back within a goal on his backhand shot in close with 5:35 left, but the Golden Knights couldn't garner the equalizer in the time left. Alec Martinez (Miami) also scored for Vegas.

On Sunday evening, James van Riemsdyk (New Hampshire) tallied one goal and set up two others, but his Philadelphia Flyers fell, 7-3, to the Boston Bruins. It was Boston's fifth win over Philadelphia so far this season in five meetings.

Charlie McAvoy (Boston University) and Charlie Coyle (Boston University) both tallied goals for Boston, with Coyle's second-period score standing up as the game-winner. Trent Frederic (Wisconsin) scored his first career NHL goal for the Bruins, who also got two assists apiece from Connor Clifton (Quinnipiac) and Craig Smith (Wisconsin).

Joel Farabee (Boston University) scored Philadelphia's first goal, while Kevin Hayes (Boston College) notched two assists. Brian Elliott (Wisconsin) stopped 12 of 13 shots on goal in the final period for the Flyers, after entering the game in relief. Boston outshot Philadelphia, 35-19, overall for the night.

There were no spectators present at either Lake Tahoe contest due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The two games were the 32nd and 33rd, respectively, in the NHL's modern outdoor series of matches that dates back to the 2003 Heritage Classic in Edmonton.

Former RedHawk Roslovic Returns to Columbus

Columbus-born Jack Roslovic (Miami) is heading home to Ohio.

Roslovic was part of the Saturday NHL deal that sent him and fellow Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine to the Columbus Blue Jackets, in exchange for forward Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round 2022 draft choice.

Drafted 25th overall by Winnipeg in 2015 after his second season with the U.S. National Team Development Program in Michigan, the six-foot, 187-pound Roslovic played his formative years with the Ohio Blue Jackets program. He skated the 2015-16 season with Miami, where he tallied 10 goals and 26 points in 36 outings with the RedHawks in his lone NCAA campaign. 

The following year he turned pro with Manitoba (AHL), notching 13 goals and 48 points in 65 games while also making his NHL debut with Winnipeg. He split the next season between the AHL and NHL, collecting 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 points between the top two pro levels.

Roslovic, 23, joined the Jets full-time for the 2018-19 campaign, and to date has tallied 26-41—67 points in 180 NHL regular-season appearances, all with Winnipeg. He has also recorded five assists in 20 career Stanley Cup playoff contests with the Jets.