UConn (18-11-5, 12-9-3) will host the Boston University Terriers (17-16-2, 12-12-0) in a quarterfinal matchup this Saturday. This is the third time this year that the two teams have faced off against each other, as they each won on the road during the regular season to split the series.
Connecticut scored eight impressive goals against Boston back in October with a final score of 8-4. Forward Ethan Gardula scored two goals for UConn late in the game to help solidify the win.
The Huskies closed out the regular season in third place in Hockey East standings, the highest finish in program history for the team. After closing out the regular season with a loss to Providence College, the team awaited their opponent but learned that they would host the game at Toscano.
The Terriers defeated the University of Vermont 4-1 on Wednesday to advance in the tournament and face UConn.
Ryan Tattle leads the Huskies in points (30) and Joey Muldowney leads the team in goals (16). These two offensive players spend significant time in their opponents’ zones and are a pair the Terriers will need to look out for.
Tattle is currently ranked No. 43 among the top NCAA Division I players with 312 faceoff wins.
Starting in net for the Huskies should be none other than senior Tyler Muszelik. The senior has had a standout season with UConn this year, averaging a .929 save percentage across the regular season.
Muszelik had a season-high 50 saves against the University of Maine in February. The game resulted in a 3-3 OT tie with a 2-0 UConn shootout victory.
Turning towards Boston, the team has some of the youngest players on their roster, with many of them already drafted by NHL teams. Forward Cole Eiserman is a key offensive player for the Terriers, leading the team with 18 goals. Eiserman was drafted in the first round of the 2024 NHL draft by the New York Islanders.
Also on the Terriers squad is defenseman Cole Hutson, who leads the team in points (32) and assists (22). The Washington Capitals drafted Huston in the second round of the 2024 NHL draft.
Muszelik will be up against Boston’s sophomore goaltender Mikhail Yegorov. The 6-foot-5 starting goaltender for the Terriers was awarded the 2025 Eberly Award for the best save percentage during the Beanpot Tournament. He had a season-high 43 saves during Boston’s 6-2 loss against Quinnipiac University in November.
With a spot in the Hockey East Semifinals on the line, Saturday’s matchup is set to be a competitive battle between the Huskies and Terriers.
Puck drop is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday at Toscano Family Ice Forum in Storrs, Conn. If fans are unable to make it to the game, they can watch on NESN and ESPN+.