FARGO, N.D. – Boston Bruins prospect Charlie McAvoy scored midway through the second overtime on a feed from freshman Clayton Keller to lift Boston University to a 4-3 win over defending national champion North Dakota in the semifinals of the NCAA West Regional on Friday.
BU (24-11-3), which was outshot, 59-29, advances to the regional championship while the season comes to an end for North Dakota (21-16-3).
The Fighting Hawks were ready to celebrate a first-round victory 3:48 into the first overtime period when Dixon Bowen scored on a rebound. The goal was negated seven minutes later after video review revealed a North Dakota skater was offside during the play.
“That’s sports,” senior UND defenseman Gage Ausmus said. “Many games this year for us have gone that way for us. We’ve outplayed teams and lost games and this one stings a lot more.”
BU freshman goalie Jake Oettinger made a career-high 56 saves, including 19 in the third period.
Rhett Gardner opened the scoring for UND but the Terriers answered with goals by Doyle Somerby, Bobo Carpenter and Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson.
UND tied it in the third on goals by Ludvig Hoff and Christian Wolanin.
Cam Johnson made 25 saves for UND.
The Terriers have won four of their seven NCAA tournament matchups with North Dakota.
BU will battle Minnesota-Duluth or Ohio State today for a trip to the Frozen Four in Chicago.
(1) Harvard 3, (4) Providence 0
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Tyler Moy scored twice and Merrick Madsen was perfect with 39 saves as Harvard shut out Providence in first-round action. The win extends Harvard’s unbeaten streak to 17 games. Providence closed its season at 22-12-5. The Crimson will face Air Force on Saturday in the Eastern Regional final.
(3) Air Force 5, (2) Western Michigan 4
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Kyle Haak scored a pair of goals and Tyler Ledford netted the game-winner in the third period to lead Air Force past Western Michigan. The Broncos came up just short after scoring three goals in the third after trailing 4-1. Shane Starrett made 22 saves for Air Force and Ben Blacker had 25 for Western Michigan.