Hockey East experienced a largely positive weekend as several teams posted strong performances against formidable opponents, providing encouraging signs after a challenging 2025-26 season.
New Hampshire secured a notable victory over second-ranked Michigan State on Friday, handing the Spartans their first loss of the season with a 1-0 shutout in Durham. The Wildcats maintained pressure throughout the weekend, outshooting Michigan State 73-37 across two games, though they fell 2-1 in the Saturday rematch. Freshman Emile Guite scored both UNH goals, while goaltender Michael Simpson made 35 saves, including a remarkable stop late in Friday’s game. Michigan State had entered the weekend averaging 5.3 goals per game and boasted nine NHL first-round picks.
Merrimack also enjoyed a successful weekend on the road with a pair of victories at Notre Dame. The Warriors edged the Fighting Irish 2-1 in overtime on Friday after rallying from a 2-0 deficit the following day to win 6-3. Junior Nick Pierre scored the game-winner in the opener, while senior Seamus Powell contributed his first two goals of the season in the Saturday contest.
Boston College, despite a 5-2 loss to defending national champion Denver on Friday, rallied from a 2-0 deficit in Saturday’s rematch to force a 3-3 tie. Teddy Stiga’s goal with less than a minute remaining prevented the Eagles from being swept in Denver.
UMass secured a 5-3 victory over Stonehill, powered by two goals each from Jack Galanek and Vaclav Nestrasil. Stonehill entered the matchup with only one loss on the season, having previously swept Colgate and split series with Northern Michigan.
In Hockey East’s series against the ECAC, Maine dominated Colgate with two 3-0 shutouts. Goaltenders Peter Wickström Stumer and Albin Boija combined for 41 saves over the weekend, while Loic Usereau and Lee Parks both scored in each game.
Vermont split a home-and-home series with Clarkson, winning 2-1 at home on Friday but falling 2-1 in overtime on the road on Sunday. Sophomore goaltender Jacob Oster faced 55 shots in the two contests.
Conference play featured a split series between Boston University and UConn. UConn won a thrilling 5-4 overtime game in Storrs on Thursday, with Ryder Ritchie tying the game in the final minute before the Terriers scored the winner with an empty net. BU rebounded in their home opener Saturday with a 6-3 victory, paced by five players recording their first goals of the season. UConn’s Kaden Shahan finished with three goals on the series.
Providence continued its strong undefeated start, improving to 5-0-0 after sweeping UMass Lowell. Sophomore goaltender Jack Parsons maintained a .966 save percentage through four games. The Friars are set to host Quinnipiac on Halloween, a team considered a Frozen Four contender despite a recent 4-3 overtime upset loss at Army. Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold declined to comment on officiating following the loss, referring all inquiries to the ECAC commissioner.
In Atlantic Hockey, Bentley rebounded from a previous series sweep by North Dakota with a dominant weekend sweep of Robert Morris, outscoring the Colonials 10-1. Sophomore Jan Gaspar scored three goals over the two games, and fellow sophomore Lukas Swedin recorded a shutout with 30 saves Friday. Goaltender Nicholas Bevilacqua, from Abington, posted 27 saves in Saturday’s win.
Holy Cross opened its series with Sacred Heart with a 3-1 victory on Friday but was unable to complete the sweep after surrendering three third-period goals in a 4-3 loss on Saturday.
Overall, the weekend’s results offered optimism for Hockey East teams as they continue to prepare for a competitive 2026 campaign.