----------- In Hockey East Action -----------
Gillies stopped 35 of 37 shots tonight and Jankowski was held off the score sheet in a 3-2 victory in Game #1 over New Hampshire.
Gaudreau had an empty netter in a BC's 4-2 win in the first game of their series.
UMass Lowell has already swept their best of 3 series against Maine, winning 4-2 on Thursday and 2-1 in Double overtime Friday.
BU put up a 3-0 victory in their first game.
----------- and in other NCAA action -----------
John Ramage assisted on the game tying goal and scored the game winner to lead the Wisconsin Badgers to a 3-1 win and 1-0 series lead (best of 3) in the first round of the WCHA playoffs.
Matt DeBlouw scored the game winner in Michigan States 3-0 win over Miami of Ohio, giving the Spartans a 1-0 series lead in the CCHA quarterfinals.
In their 1st round series the Spartans upset Alaska with a 2-1 series win. DeBlouw had 1 goal and 0 assists in the series, his only goal being the game 1 overtime winner.
Nick Larson was held pointless in Notre Dame's 1-0 overtime win in the first game of their CCHA quarterfinal.
Notre Dame had a 1st round bye as a top 5 seed in the CCHA.
----------- and in NCAA tourney news -----------
It looks like the NCAA tournament is a 16 team tournament, the 5 conference winners earn an automatic berth and there are 11 wildcard teams. Assuming the NCAA uses their rankings to fill the remaining 11 spots the Boston College (#5), Notre Dame (#12) & Wisconsin (#14) should make the tournament.
Providence was rated 17th, so a strong playoff and series win over #7 ranked New Hampshire should build a solid case for them earning a tournament berth.
Michigan State didn't receive a single vote in the NCAA ranking so I would think they would have to at the very least reach the WCHA championship game to qualify for the NCAA tournament. But upsetting the #1 seed (#3 in the country) in the 1st round should raise their stock should they win 1 of their next 2 games.