Northeastern drops top-seeded UConn, while BU tops BC in Hockey East; LIU, Sacred Heart to meet for NEWHA crown - CHS 3-5-25

Greetings from Wichita, home of the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder. It’s the #CollegeHockey Scoreboard Show for March 5, 2025. Postseason hockey is the best hockey, right? Maybe a bit more than the scores as we’re whittling down the teams in the 2024-25 season, but here’s the scores.
 
The stage is set for the Hockey East Championship after two thrilling semifinal matchups. Fifth-seeded Northeastern pulled off a comeback win over top-seeded UConn, 3-1, to advance to its ninth straight title game. UConn struck first on a power-play goal in the second period, but Skylar Irving took over in the third, scoring twice to flip the game in Northeastern’s favor. Junior Lily Brazis added an insurance goal, and freshman goalie Lisa Jönsson made 36 saves to backstop the Huskies - the Northeastern ones - into the final.
 
Their opponent will be Boston University, after a dramatic double-overtime victory over Boston College. Graduate student Lindsay Bochna played the hero, knocking in the game-winner off a rebound to lift BU past BC, 3-2. The Terriers erased deficits of 1-0 and 2-1 with goals from Clara Yuhn and Riley Walsh to force extra time.
 
Senior Callie Shanahan was lights out in net, finishing with 38 saves, including 18 after the second intermission. Northeastern and BU will clash for the Hockey East crown on Saturday at noon, with the game airing live on ESPNEWS.
 
In the NEWHA Tournament, LIU secured its spot in the championship game with a 2-0 shutout over Post at Northwell Health Ice Center. Ryane Kearns put the Sharks ahead just 28 seconds into the second period, and Jeannie Waller added a third-period goal to seal the win.
 
Goaltender Abbie Thompson stopped all 14 shots she faced for her third consecutive shutout, pushing LIU’s tournament scoreless streak to eight periods.
 
The top-seeded Sharks now prepare to face Sacred Heart, who blanked Saint Anselm 3-0 behind a stellar 50-save effort from Carly Greene. Bria Holm, Sami Bowlby, and Grayson Limke provided the scoring to send the Pioneers to the final. LIU and Sacred Heart will battle for the NEWHA championship and an NCAA tournament berth on Saturday at 7 p.m.
 
I’m Jason Bryant (@jasonmbryant). Leave a rating, review, or feedback at collegehockeyscoreboardpod.com. That’s the #CollegeHockey Scoreboard Show for March 5, 2025.