2025 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament: Capitals’ Quinn Hutson, Kings’ Hampton Slukynsky help their teams advance to Frozen Four

Saturday evening saw the first two spots of this year’s NCAA Men’s Frozen Four filled in a pair of exciting clashes between championship hopefuls. From controversial calls to big-time goals, a lot happened on the third day of the national tournament.

Toledo

The first regional final of the day saw a battle of red and white teams that left each other black and blue. Unlike their first respective games of the tournament, neither Boston University nor Cornell could gain an edge on Saturday. Through 40 minutes, everything was even. The score was 1-1, shots were 23-23 and both power plays were 0-for-3.

That all changed in the opening minute of the third, as Terriers defenseman Cole Hutson scored from a ridiculous angle to give BU the lead. The Terriers did their best to limit the Big Red’s attack for most of the final frame of regulation, but a goal from Cornell senior Jack O’Leary sent the game into overtime.

That was when the other Hutson came through, as Quinn Hutson fired a shot through traffic to give BU a 3-2 win, sending the team to the Frozen Four for the third year in a row.

Here are two players who stepped up in Saturday’s win:

Cole Hutson, D, Boston University (Washington Capitals): There’s something in the water at the Hutson household. Both Cole and Quinn have been fantastic this year, with the older Quinn leading Cole atop BU’s scoring list. In Toledo, Cole was outstanding, showing off his dynamic ability with and without the puck. After posting four points against the Buckeyes, the freshman came through at both ends of the rink, assisting Matt Copponi’s goal in the first period before finding the back of the net himself in the third.

With six points on the weekend, Cole was named to the All-Regional Team, earning Most Outstanding Player honors.

Mikhail Yegorov, G, Boston University (New Jersey Devils): Going up against a veteran netminder in Cornell’s Ian Shane, Yegorov had to be sharp in such a tight battle. The former Omaha Lancer made some big saves against Ohio State on Thursday when the Terriers were shelled for stretches of the game. The Russian backstop stepped up in crucial moments again on Saturday, especially when the Big Red had some good looks in the opening moments of extra time. Yegorov ended up making 37 saves against Cornell, turning away 70 of the 75 shots he faced over the weekend.

Fargo

The second national quarterfinal saw Massachusetts take on top-seeded Western Michigan in what was another down-to-the-wire game in North Dakota. With both teams coming off overtime games on Thursday, no one knew what to expect.

UMass struck first, but Western Michigan took advantage of a major penalty to Calgary Flames prospect Aydar Suniev, with Liam Valente scoring his second of the weekend. The Broncos cashed in on another power play in the third, as captain Tim Washe tipped in his 16th of the season to put WMU out in front.

While the Minutemen pushed for the equalizer, including receiving a major power play of their own, the Broncos held on for a 2-1 win, sending the team to the Frozen Four for the first time in program history.

With the tally, Washe extended his program record for game-winning goals in a single season with eight.

Here were the standouts from Saturday’s clash:

Hampton Slukynsky, G, Western Michigan (Los Angeles Kings): Am I showing a little goalie bias today? Sure. However, in a tight-checking game, in which the nation’s top offense wasn’t able to get going for the second game in a row, Slukynsky had to come in clutch once again. The freshman netminder made some key saves when he needed to, especially when UMass came out firing with 12 shots on goal in the first period. With 28 saves on Saturday, Slukynsky allowed just two goals on 58 shots.

Liam Valente, LW, Western Michigan: With Philadelphia Flyers prospect Alex Bump failing to score a single point all weekend, other names were going to have to step up for the Broncos. Swedish winger Liam Valente did that and then some. The Providence transfer was quietly one of the more consistent scorers for Western Michigan this season, scoring a big power-play goal in the second period.

The junior posted two points in the semifinal win against Minnesota State on Thursday. With his 14th goal of the season, Valente has a career-high 33 points on the year and is riding an eight-game point streak dating back to the regular season.

Check out the standouts from Day 2 of the NCAA Men’s Tournament