Hockey Reaches Boston Landing Tournament Final With 5-3 Win Over Wentworth

BOSTON, MA (January 6, 2024) - Sophomore Liam O'Hare scored with 2:33 remaining in the third period to break a 3-3 tie and lead the Tufts University men's hockey team to an eventual 5-3 victory over Wentworth Institute of Technology in the opening round of the Boston Landing Collegiate Invitational Saturday night at Warrior Ice Arena.

The win sends the Jumbos (5-4-1) to the tournament championship game tomorrow at 2:40 pm against host Nichols College, who defeated Southern New Hampshire University 4-1 in Saturday's other first-round game. Wentworth (5-9) plays SNHU in the consolation game on Sunday at 5:40 pm.

Playing their first game of 2024, the Jumbos extended their season winning streak to five games after earning four straight NESCAC victories to finish 2023. The five-game streak is the program's longest since the 2009-10 season.

Tonight the teams entered the third period with Tufts leading 3-2. However, Leopard freshman Desmond Johnson scored on a shot through traffic from the left point at 5:32 of the period tying the score at 3-3. With time winding down under three minutes remaining in regulation, the Jumbos capitalized on a strong surge in the Wentworth end when sophomore Cole Dubicki took the puck from behind the net and curled out front for a shot saved by Leopard sophomore goalie Jack McGovern. O'Hare scored on the rebound though, then junior Harrison Bazianos added an empty-net goal for the 5-3 final.

Following a scoreless first period, the teams combined for five goals in the second period. Wentworth took a 1-0 lead when sophomore Seth Robinson scored seven minutes into the second. However, Tufts would respond decisively, scoring twice within 13 seconds and three times in less than four minutes overall for a 3-1 advantage.

On the goal that tied the score 1-1, senior defenseman Sam Miller sent a shot from the left point through traffic that got past a surprised McGovern at 11:08. Jumbo senior Aidan Lovett won the ensuring face-off and then soon intercepted the puck from a Wentworth defender and scored at 11:21 for a 2-1 Tufts margin. The third goal was the result of a great Dubicki forecheck. He took the puck after a strong hit behind the net, then sent it to O'Hare whose shot was saved. However, as McGovern reached to cover the puck, Dubicki beat him to it and scored at 14:48, making it 3-1.

Junior Jacob Shankar pulled Wentworth within 3-2 with 2:14 left in the second period, setting up the exciting third frame.

Tufts put a whopping 47 shots on goal, their most of the season. O'Hare led the Jumbos with a goal and two assists, while Dubicki and Miller each had a goal and an assist. Senior goalie Peyton Durand finished with 31 saves.

Wentworth (34 shots) was led by Shankar's goal and assist. McGovern recorded 42 saves.