John Mersits / USA TODAY NETWORK [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/531498d0-cd92-43f0-810d-b8a527336c3e.jpeg] John Mersits / USA TODAY NETWORK The national tournament has been nothing short of spectacular, from crazy endings to highlight reel goals and strong goaltending performances. The first two teams that have punched their way to the semifinals are Boston University and Western Michigan. Here are the paths that allowed them to punch their tickets there: Boston University Takes Down Cornell 3-2 After defeating the Buckeyes earlier this week, the Terriers set themselves up for a matchup against the Big Red with a ticket to the semifinals on the line. In a very close match (which saw each team tied in shots for the first two periods), the first period saw back and forth action with both teams exchanging their own chances. Although the Terriers generated more shot attempts to that point, it was Cornell who broke the ice over seven minutes in off a Ryan Walsh goal. In what has been a common theme in this tournament, the lead was short lived as the Terriers punched back just over a minute later off a Matt Capponi goal. With both teams still creating plays, neither team could crack the goaltenders again and the first intermission came with a 1-1 score. In the second more scoring chances were generated but both Mikhail Yegorov and Ian Shane continued their strong play and kept their respective teams tied 1-1 heading into a do or die third period. Another action packed period, the Terriers were able to take the lead first under a minute into the third period off a beautiful goal from Washington Capitals prospect Cole Hutson. The goal seemed to give the Terriers a spark but the Big Red kept their fighting spirits alive and tied the game five minutes later thanks to Jack O'Leary. The Terriers made a punch towards the end of the period but the game needed overtime. With the Big Red looking like the better team to open the OT period, the Terriers found their legs and capitalized on a Quinn Hutson goal just over seven minutes into the extra frame to book their ticket to the semifinals April 10. Westerm Michigan Takes Down UMass In another very tightly contested game, the Broncos were able to punch their own ticket to the semifinals with a 2-1 win over the Minutemen. In a first period that saw the Minutemen more than double their shots over the Broncos, they were the only team that was able to get themselves on the board off a Dans Locmelis goal a tad over nine minutes into the frame. The Broncos were able to generate shot attempts but they either missed the net or were blocked by a Minutemen player. With that being said, the tides shifted the other way in the second period, seeing Western Michigan lead UMass in shots 15-6. Although a full team effort saw the Broncos pepper Michael Hrabal with shots, it took until almost the end of the period for them to draw even, tying the game with over a minute left off a Liam Valente effort. Seemingly with the momentum on their side, the Broncos proved that it was indeed the case, coming out and creating the first four shot attempts before they scored the eventual game winning goal off the stick of Tim Washe. The Minutemen had spans where they were able to push back (they lead the period in shots 11-10), but an impressive shutdown performance by Hampton Slukynsky proved to be too much and the Broncos prevailed with the win.
