UND Eliminated by BU in Crazy Double Overtime Thriller

In a game that could only be described as any synonym for 'insane', North Dakota was outlasted by Boston U. in the first round of the Division I NCAA Tournament in men's hockey in double overtime, 4-3.

The Fighting Hawks (21-15-3) will not have a chance to defend their title as the Boston University Terriers (23-11-3) advance on the play the winner of Ohio St. and Minnesota-Duluth in the regional final of the NCAA Tournament at Scheels Arena in Fargo.

It was a game that had everything. Each teams punished each other with end to end scoring chances and hard hitting physical play, including a hit that literally shattered a panel of glass. UND overcame a 3-1 deficit with under eight minutes remaining in regulation and seemed to have the game won a goal just under four minutes into overtime, but it was not to be as the goal would be called back due to an offsides call upon further official review. Then, just past the halfway point of the second overtime, Boston U. put the game winning goal in the back of the net. Where to begin...

The first period was scoreless until Rhett Gardner made a great move in front of the net to put UND up 1-0 at the 17:04 mark. In the second period, Boston U. struck back quickly, just 2:05 into the period, as some superb passing from the Terriers set up Doyle Somerby, and the game was tied 1-1. UND would outshoot BU in the second, 16-9, but could not get another score past BU goalie Jake Oettinger.

In the third period, Boston U. took the lead quickly just 28 seconds in with a goal from Bobo Carpenter from the slot to make it a 2-1 game. Four minutes later, a breakaway goal from Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson made it a 3-1 lead for BU. Things looked pretty grim for UND. The Fighting Hawks were down, but the momentum was about to change.

Almost midway through the third period, UND's Mike Gornall put a vicious check on BU's Kieffer Bellows into the boards and completely shattered the glass. This seemed to put a charge into UND.

After a 14-minute delay to replace the glass, the Fighting Hawks had constant pressure in BU territory. Then, Ludvig Hoff cut into the lead with a goal to make it a 3-2 game with 7:44 remaining. Then with less than five minutes remaining, Christian Wolanin's backhander found the back of the net to tie the score, 3-3. All momentum was with North Dakota.

Just 3:48 into overtime, it seemed that UND had finished the incredible comeback with a victory, as Dixon Bowen scored on a rebound. However, the goal was reviewed by officials, and after a seven minute review, was overturned on an offsides call. The Fighting Hawks had the only scoring chances throughout the first overtime, as they outshot the Terriers, 5-0.

Both teams seemed to be understandably fatigued as the game pressed on into double overtime. Then came the heartbreaker. BU's Charlie McAvoy beat UND goalie Cam Johnson with the game winner.

Jake Oettinger stopped 56 of 59 shots for BU, while Cam Johnson made 25 saves in the loss.

While it's unfortunate the Fighting Hawks will not be moving on, congrats to UND on another NCAA Tournament appearance.