U.S. Men Edge Sweden to Reach Semis

Two former Michigan Wolverines made it Team USA's night.

Dylan Larkin (Michigan) scored the first goal of the game in the second period, and Quinn Hughes (Michigan) wristed home a shot early in overtime to lift the United States over Sweden, 2-1, in a men's ice hockey quarterfinal matchup at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy.

Hughes helped set up Larkin's deflection goal midway through regulation to open the scoring. After Sweden tied the contest on an extra attacker goal with less than 90 seconds remaining in regulation, Hughes won it just over three minutes into the 3-on-3 extra session with a shot from the slot after taking a pass from Matt Boldy (Boston College). Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell) finished with 28 saves in the American net.

The U.S. now moves on to face Slovakia in one semifinal on Friday, while Finland will take on Canada in the other one. Canada outlasted Czechia, 4-3, in OT in the quarterfinals thanks to a goal and two assists from Macklin Celebrini (Boston University).

ADDENDUM: Team USA routed Slovakia, 6-2, and will face Canada, a 3-2 winner over Finland, in Sunday's gold medal game.

Hockey East Stars Shine for USA Men

Hockey East alumni supplied four goals and more than 20 saves as the United States men's hockey team defeated Denmark, 6-3, on Valentine's Day at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy. 

Matt Boldy (Boston College) scored the first goal for Team USA, while Noah Hanifin (Boston College) converted his own rebound for the eventual game-winning goal. Jack Eichel (Boston University) and Brady Tkachuk (Boston University) also tallied for the Red, White and Blue, which got 21 saves in goal from Jeremy Swayman (Maine). Eight different U.S. skaters also notched assists on the day. 

The Americans, who twice battled back from one-goal deficits to defeat the Danes, improved to 2-0-0 in the tournament so far, and will complete the round-robin portion of their schedule with a game against Germany on Sunday.

ADDENDUM: Jake Sanderson (North Dakota) set up two goals and Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell) made 24 stops as Team USA upended Germany, 5-1.

U.S. Men Top Latvia in Olympic Opener

Brock Nelson (North Dakota) scored two goals, including the game winner, as the U.S. men's hockey team opened its 2026 Olympic Winter Games with a 5-1 win over Latvia on Thursday in Milan, Italy.

Jack Eichel (Boston University) and Quinn Hughes (Michigan) set up two goals apiece for the Americans, who also got their opening goal from Brady Tkachuk (Boston University). Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell) made 17 saves in net for Team USA.

In other Olympic men's hockey action, Macklin Celebrini (Boston University) scored a goal off an assist from Cale Makar (UMass), and Canada went on to blank Czechia, 5-0. Canada takes on Switzerland today, while the U.S. will face Denmark on Saturday.

2026 U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey Team Revealed

Former NCAA skaters make up the bulk of the 2026 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team that will compete in Italy next month, the first time that current NHL players will compete in the Olympic Winter Games since 2014 in Russia.

Forwards

Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild (Boston College)

Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets (Michigan)

Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights (Boston University)

Clayton Keller, Utah Mammoth (Boston University)

Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings (Michigan)

Brock Nelson, Colorado Avalanche (North Dakota)

Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres (UConn)

Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators (Boston University)

Defensemen

Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild (Minnesota)

Noah Hanifin Vegas Golden Knights (Boston College)

Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild (Michigan)

Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins (Boston University)

Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators (North Dakota)

Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes (Colorado College)

Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets (Michigan)

Goaltenders

Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets (UMass Lowell)

Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars (Boston University) 

Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins (Maine)

In addition, Canada's 2026 Olympic men's squad will boast three former NCAA skaters in forward Macklin Celebrini (Boston University) of the San Jose Sharks, and defensemen Cale Makar (UMass) and Devon Toews (Quinnipiac) of the Colorado Avalanche and Colton Parayko (Alaska Fairbanks) of the St. Louis Blues.

The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from Feb. 5-22 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. 

Toronto, Winnipeg Stay Alive in NHL Playoffs

One Canadian NHL team has already moved on to the next round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, while two others have managed to stay alive.

In Miami last night, the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs got 22 saves from Joseph Woll (Boston College) and an insurance goal by Max Pacioretty (Michigan) in blanking the defending champion Florida Panthers, 2-0, in Game Six of that Eastern Conference series. The deciding Game Seven will be played Sunday night in Toronto.

On Thursday, the host Winnipeg Jets stayed alive with a 4-0 shutout of the Dallas Stars in Game Five of that matchup. Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell) stopped all 22 shots he faced, while Kyle Connor (Michigan) posted two assists for the Jets. Game Six is in Dallas tonight, with the Stars still leading the series, three games to two. The winner will face Edmonton, which ousted Vegas in five games, in the Western Conference final.

ADDENDUM: Hellebuyck made 18 saves, and Connor came up with another assist, but Winnipeg was eliminated by Dallas, 2-1, in overtime in Game Six. Florida ousted Toronto with a 6-1 victory in Game Seven of that series.

Winnipeg Wins Game 7 vs. St. Louis in Double OT

The Winnipeg Jets are alive and well. The St. Louis Blues are finished for the season.

Down 2-0 early on, and behind 3-1 with just over two minutes remaining in regulation, the host Jets tallied two goals to knot matters, and then scored late in the second overtime to oust St. Louis, 4-3, in Game Seven of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series on Sunday night. Winnipeg advances to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs against Dallas, which defeated Colorado in seven games.

Kyle Connor (Michigan) set up three goals for the Jets, as did Neal Pionk (Minnesota-Duluth), with both assisting on the winning goal just over 16 minutes into the second extra session. Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell) overcame a rough start to finish with 26 saves and pick up his fourth win of the 2025 postseason, all at home. Colton Parayko (Alaska Fairbanks) assisted on the first goal by the Blues, who won all three games in St. Louis in their return to the NHL postseason for the first time since 2023.

Blues Force Game Seven with Jets

The St. Louis Blues have forced a deciding Game Seven to close out the first round of this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The host Blues routed visiting Winnipeg, 5-2, on Friday night to knot their first-round series at three wins apiece. The home team has won every game in the best-of-seven Western Conference series so far.

Jimmy Snuggerud (Minnesota), Justin Faulk (Minnesota-Duluth), Ryan Suter (Wisconsin) and Colton Parayko (Alaska Fairbanks) all recorded assists for the Blues, who broke open a tie game with three consecutive goals in just over two minutes in their four-goal second period. Kyle Connor (Michigan) and Mason Appleton (Michigan State) set up goals for the Jets, who got 18 saves from Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell) before he was pulled for the third straight game in Missouri, after surrendering all five St. Louis scores tonight.

Game 7 will be Sunday night in Winnipeg. The winner will go on to face the winner of the only other first-round NHL playoff series still being contested—Colorado and Dallas, who will play their own Game 7 tonight in Texas.

U-M, MSU Help Winnipeg to Win in Game Five

Kyle Conner (Michigan) scored one goal and set up two others, and Mason Appleton (Michigan State) had three assists as the Winnipeg Jets won Game Five of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series, 5-3, over visiting St. Louis last night. The Jets now lead the best-of-seven series, three games to two.

Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell) finished with 16 stops in earning the win for Winnipeg, after being pulled in the previous two games in St. Louis. Jimmy Snuggerud (Minnesota) scored the second goal yesterday for the Blues, who will try to stave off elimination tomorrow night at home in Game Six.

Two other series ended last night, both wrapping up in five games. Washington upended Montreal, 4-1, despite 24 saves by Jakub Dobes (Ohio State), while defending NHL champion Florida ousted Tampa Bay, 6-3. Carolina had previously advanced to the second round after besting New Jersey in five games, while the remaining four Stanley Cup Playoff series could all end tonight.

2025 Stanley Cup First Round Rolls On

Two first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series were tied after last night's action, while two others inched closer to completion.

St. Louis rocked visiting Winnipeg, 5-1, to knot that Western Conference series at two games apiece. Colton Parayko (Alaska Fairbanks) tallied two assists for the victorious Blues, while Kyle Connor (Michigan) scored the Jets' only goal. Winnipeg netminder Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell) was pulled for the second straight game/loss after making 13 saves on 18 shots. 

In Edmonton, the defending Western Conference champion Oilers tied up their series at two with a 4-3 overtime win over visiting Los Angeles. Alex Laferriere (Harvard) notched an assist for the Kings, who had won the first two games at home in California.

Washington moved out to a three games to one lead in besting host Montreal, 5-2, in the Eastern Conference as Trevor van Riemsdyk (New Hampshire) set up two goals in the third period, including the game-winner. Lane Hutson (Boston University) had two assist for the host Canadiens, who got 21 saves in net from Jakub Dobes (Ohio State).

Carolina will look to close out New Jersey after winning, 5-2, in Newark to take a three games to one advantage in their Eastern Conference matchup. Jacob Slavin (Colorado College) scored the Hurricanes' second goal, unassisted, while Jackson Blake (North Dakota) registered a pair of assists.

The NHL playoffs continue tonight with Tampa Bay looking to tie up Florida, and Dallas and Colorado seeking to break a two-all tie.

ADDENDUM: Jake Guentzel (Omaha) scored for Tampa Bay, but Florida tallied three third-period goals to win, 4-2, and take a two to one lead in that series. Dallas, meanwhile, pasted Colorado, 6-2, as Jake Oettinger (Boston University) picked up the win with 26 saves.  

Canada Wins Four Nations Face-Off

The first-ever Four Nations Face-Off went to Team Canada. 

The Canadians outlasted Team USA, 3-2, in overtime on Thursday night in the championship game at TD Garden in Boston. Cale Makar (Massachusetts) assisted on the game-winning goal by Connor McDavid. Brady Tkachuk (Boston University) and Jake Sanderson (North Dakota) scored in regulation for the Americans, who also got 24 saves in net from Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell).

Canada thus avenged a 3-1 loss to Team USA in Montreal in the round-robin portion of the tournament, which exclusively featured NHL players. Other former NCAA players on the Canadian squad included Colton Parayko (Alaska Fairbanks) and Devon Toews (Quinnipiac). Sweden finished in third place, while Finland was fourth.

NHL players are expected to represent their respective nations at the 2025 IIHF World Championship in Sweden and Denmark, and at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

U.S. To Face Canada for Four Nations Crown

The first-ever Four Nations Face-Off final is set. It will be the United States against Canada at TD Garden in Boston on Thursday night (8 p.m. ET, TNT).

The final matchup was set when Canada held on to defeat Finland, 5-3, this afternoon before Sweden edged the U.S., 2-1, this evening, both in Boston. Chris Kreider (Boston College) scored the lone goal for the Americans, while Jake Oettinger (Boston University) finished with 21 saves for Team USA. Gustav Nyquist (Maine) notched Sweden's first goal.

Thursday will be a rematch of Saturday's 3-1 U.S. win in Montreal. Jake Guentzel (Omaha) scored twice for the Team USA, while Dylan Larkin (Michigan) scored one goal and set up another, and Connor Hellbuyck (UMass Lowell) made 25 stops in net. Sweden took third place overall by virtue of today's regulation win over the Americans, while Finland finished fourth with one overtime win and two regulation losses.

Leonard Hat Trick Lifts BC in 4-0 Win

Ryan Leonard scored three goals for his second hat trick in two weekends to lift No. 1 Boston College to a 4-0 victory over UMass Lowell in Hockey East play on Friday night.

Leonard, who also scored three goals in a 6-2 conference win at Boston University a week prior on Jan. 24, now leads all NCAA Division I men's players with 22 goals overall after scoring three against the eighth-ranked River Hawks before 7,884 onlookers at BC's Conte Forum. Backup netminder Jan Korec earned the shutout with 22 saves for the host Eagles (19-4-1 overall, 12-3-1 Hockey East), while Beni Halasz made 22 stops for UML (13-8-3, 6-6-2) .

BC, which has now won seven straight games overall, begins the 2025 Beanpot Tournament on Monday night at TD Garden in Boston against Hockey East rival and two-time defending champion Northeastern at 8 p.m. ET. That contest will take place following the opening game at 5 p.m. ET between Boston University and Harvard.

Former NCAA Skaters Star in NHL Playoffs

Dakota Joshua (Ohio State) scored his first two NHL postseason goals and added an assist, while Thatcher Demko (Boston College) made 20 saves in net to lift the Vancouver Canucks to a 4-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Sunday night to start the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Vancouver takes a one game to none lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series, following the Canucks' first home playoff game at Rogers Arena since 2015.

In Manhattan, the top-ranked New York Rangers jumped out to a three-goal lead en route to a 4-1 triumph over the visiting Washington Capitals in the opener of their best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series at Madison Square Garden. Jimmy Vesey (Harvard) tallied one goal and set up another for the Rangers, while Chris Kreider (Boston College) also scored for the Blueshirts.

In Manitoba, the Winnipeg Jets outlasted the Colorado Avalanche, 7-6, at Canada Life Centre to claim the first game in their best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series. Kyle Connor (Michigan) scored twice for Winnipeg and also had an assist, while Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell) made 40 saves for the Jets. Cale Makar (Massachusetts) scored one goal and set up two others for the Avalanche.

No. 2 BC Tops No. 1 BU, 4-1

In the first meeting between the current first and second-ranked teams in NCAA Division I men's hockey, it was the latter who came out on top.

Ryan Leonard tallied a goal and an assist, and Jacob Fowler made 26 saves as No. 2 Boston College upended No. 1 Boston University last night at BC's sold-out Conte Forum. The two Green Line rivals will rematch tonight at BU's Agganis Arena. Also in Hockey East last night, No. 10 Providence routed host UMass Lowell, 7-2, thanks to two goals and two assists from Bennett Schimek, in the first game of their two-game series.

In other top 10 results from Friday, No. 14 Michigan routed No. 3 Wisconsin, 5-1, as Frank Nazar III scored two goals and set up another for the Wolverines. Also in the Big Ten, No. 8 Michigan State got a shorthanded goal from Karson Dorwart with just under five minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game, before Daniel Russell scored with four seconds left to lift No. 8 Michigan State over No. 9 Minnesota, 3-2.

No. 5 North Dakota defeated No. 4 Denver, 5-2, in their NCHC match-up as the host Fighting Hawks got goals from five different skaters. The two will play again tonight at UND's Ralph Engelstad Arena Marson. Out east, Mason Marcellus' first-period goal stood up as the game-winner as No. 7 Quinnipiac blanked crosstown rival Yale, 1-0, in Hartford in the first round of the Connecticut Ice tournament. Quinnipiac will play UConn tonight for the title, while Yale will face Sacred Heart in the consolation.

ADDENDUM: BC, UND and Providence all completed sweeps, with BC moving to first in the national polls and UND taking over the second spot. Minnesota and Wisconsin gained splits in their respective series, while Quinnipiac won Connecticut Ice for the third straight season.

ECHL's Everblades Win 2022 Kelly Cup

For the first time since 2012, the Florida Everblades are ECHL champions.

The Everblades completed their playoff journey on Saturday night at Hertz Arena in Estero, Fla. with a 4-2 win over the Toledo Walleye in Game Five of the 2022 Kelly Cup Final. Florida won the series, four games to one, to claim the second Kelly Cup in franchise hostory.

Former NCAA players on this year's Everblades playoff roster included: Darik Angeli (Ohio State), Parker Gahagen (Army West Point), John McCarron (Cornell), Jake Jaremko (Minnesota State), Cam Johnson (North Dakota), Lukas Kaelble (Lake Superior State/Clarkson), Ben Masella (St. Lawrence), Chris McKay (RIT), Jake McLaughlin (UMass), Michael Neville (Michigan Tech), Joe Pendenza (UMass Lowell), Nathan Perkovich (Lake Superior State), Zach Solow (Northeastern), Dylan Vander Esch (SUNY Potsdam) and Blake Winiecki (St. Cloud State), 

Johnson earned the June M. Kelly Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award for his performance in net for Florida. He fashioned a 15-3 record in 18 postseason games this spring, along with a 1.90 goals-against average and four shutouts.

First Day of 2022 NCAA Regionals Complete

The first day of the 2022 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship is in the books.

In the East Regional in Albany, N.Y., Minnesota State outlasted, Harvard, 4-3, while in a battle of UNDs, Notre Dame edged North Dakota, 2-1, in overtime. MSU will now meet Notre Dame in the regional final on Saturday at MVP Arena.

In the West Regional in Loveland, Co., Minnesota-Duluth blanked Michigan Tech, 3-0, before host Denver scored late to oust UMass Lowell, 3-2. UMD and DU will now face off on Saturday at the Budweiser Events Center for the right to go to the NCAA Frozen Four in Boston in two weeks' time.

The other two regionals get underway on Friday. In the Midwest Regional in Allentown, Pa., Michigan will face American International at 3 p.m. ET, before Quinnipiac duels with St. Cloud State at 8 p.m. ET. In the Northeast Regional in Worcester, Mass., Western Michigan will battle Northeastern at noon ET, while defending national champion UMass will meet Minnesota at 6 p.m. ET. Games will be televised live on ESPNU or ESPNews.

 

Boyle Backstops Gulls to AHL Western Semifinal Win

Kevin Boyle (Massachusetts/UMass Lowell) backstopped the San Diego Gulls one step closer to the 2019 Calder Cup Final with a 3-0 shutout of the Chicago Wolves on Saturday. in the AHL's Western Conference semifinal. The best-of-seven series is now tied at one game apiece.

Boyle made 29 saves at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill. for the win, while Kiefer Sherwood (Miami) set up two of the Gulls' three goals. Games 3, 4, and 5 of the series will be played in San Diego, from May 22-25.

Boyle skated two seasons at UMass (2011-12, 2012-13) before transferring to UMass Lowell in 2014 and sitting out one season due to NCAA rules. He fashioned an overall record of 16-17-6 in 41 outings with the Minutemen, before backstopping the River Hawks to the 2016 NCAA Tournament with a 24-10-5 mark and seven shutouts in 39 appearances. In 80 career college games, he finished
40-27-11 with a 2.34 goal-against average and eight shutouts.

Boyle, 26, from Manalapan, N.J., made his NHL debut with Anaheim earlier this season, playing in five games for the Ducks.

Gaudreau Gets Three as Flames Down Jets

It was Hockey East night in Winnipeg on Thursday. Johnny Gaudreau (Boston College) scored three goals, and Mark Jankowski (Providence) added another as the Calgary Flames topped the host
Jets, 4-1, in NHL action.

Gaudreau's three goals came on just four shots on goal. He now has nine goals and 18 points in his last 13 games against Winnipeg, including two hat tricks. Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell) made 25 stops on 28 shots against for the Jets, who fell to 24-11-2 overall.

Calgary improved to 23-12-3, and is now one point behind Winnipeg for the top spot in the NHL's Western Conference.

Former Hockey East Players Highlighted

Two former Hockey East players recently re-signed with their respective NHL teams, while another will have his jersey number retired next season.

Former NCAA forward Devin Shore (Maine) and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell) have resigned with the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets, respectively, while Paul Kariya (Maine) will have his number retired by the Anaheim Ducks next season.

Shore played at Maine from 2012 to 2015, where he tallied 34 goals and 70 assists for 104 points for the Black Bears. A native of Ajax, Ont., he was a second-round draft choice of Dallas in 2012, and has compiled 24-41—65 points in all while playing the last two full NHL seasons for the Stars.

Hellebuyck, from Commerce, Mich., played at UML for two years (2013, 2014), and fashioned a 38-12-2 record with a 1.60 goals-against average, .946 save percentage and 12 shutouts in 53 outings. He also backstopped the River Hawks to two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Frozen Four berth in 2013, and two Hockey East tournament titles. A finalist for the Vezina Trophy this past season as the NHL's best goaltender after fashioning a 44-11-9 record, he has gone 83-41-14 (2.55, .917) in 149 career appearances over the past three NHL campaigns.

Kariya, from Vancouver, became the first freshman to win the Hobey Baker Memorial award as the NCAA's best player in 1992-93 when he tallied 25-75--100 points and also helped Maine to its first-ever national title that year. After skating for the Canadian National Team in the 1994 Olympic Winter Games, he turned pro and went on to record 402-587—989 points in 989 NHL regular-season contests with Anaheim, Colorado, Nashville and St. Louis over 15 seasons before retiring in 2010.

A five-time 30-goal scorer with the Ducks, including a pair of 100-point seasons, Kariya added 16-23—39 points in 46 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, and helped the Ducks to within one win of the Stanley Cup in 2003. A two-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy for gentlemanly play, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame last year.

Tuch Goal Boosts Vegas to Game Three Victory

A goal by Alex Tuch (Boston College) in the ninth minute of the second period stood up as the game-winner as the Vegas Golden Knights edged the visiting Winnipeg Jets, 3-2, in Game Three of their 2018 Stanley Cup Playoff Western Conference semifinal series. Vegas now leads the best-of-seven NHL postseason series, two games to one.

Tuch's goal, his fifth of these playoffs, gave Vegas a 3-1 lead at the time, after Erik Haula (Minnesota) had assisted on the Golden Knights' second goal. Blake Wheeler (Minnesota) set up both Winnipeg goals, while Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell) made 27 saves for the Jets.

Game Four will be held Friday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC).