Providence, Northeastern, BU endure regionals sting

(Richard T. Gagnon/Getty Images)

New England programs were shut out of the Frozen Four for the first time in seven years and just the third time since Maine 42-1-2 en route to the national title in 1993. Hockey East finalists Boston University and Providence dropped their respective Regional Final contests, while Northeastern fell in its second NCAA opener in three seasons.

The Friars, the No. 2 seed in Bridgeport, Conn., avenged two regular-season losses to Clarkson with a 1-0 semifinal shutout before suffering a 2-1 loss to Notre Dame. Providence has earned five straight NCAA bids in Nate Leaman’s seven seasons, which is the second-longest active streak in the country. Defending national champion Denver advanced to its 11th straight tournament.

"This stings, losing (in the regional) and in the Hockey East championship. It’s no fun when you are this close," said Leaman following PC’s first regional title game since 2015. "Yes, we are young, but you can only get better from these experiences when the sting is gone."