BOSTON (AP) – Organizers of the 2015 Frozen Four would have been hard-pressed to custom order a better finale than Saturday night's matchup between Boston University and Providence.
The Terriers advanced to the title game with a 5-3 win over North Dakota Thursday night, powered by freshman sensation Jack Eichel, who finished with two goals and an assist.
Earlier Thursday, the Friars defeated Nebraska-Omaha 4-1 to clinch a berth in Saturday's final. It's the second time Providence has advanced to an NCAA hockey championship game.
BU will be going for its sixth NCAA hockey championship. Providence is looking for its first.
BU won it all in 2009 under Jack Parker. Now one of his former players, David Quinn, is in charge of the Terriers. He has them playing for a title a year after winning just 10 games.
The two Hockey East rivals met twice during the regular season, with each team winning on the road. The Terriers took a 4-1 decision in Providence on Halloween and the Friars won 2-1 the next night at Agganis Arena in Boston.
Eichel, a Hobey Baker Award finalist, has scored six goals in five games at TD Garden this season. He led BU to the Beanpot championship game win over Northeastern in February.
The Terriers have yet to lose this season (19-0-0) when leading after two periods.
