Bentley Falcons soar Towards Atlantic Hockey Championship Showdown Against Holy Cross
Table of Contents
- 1. Bentley Falcons soar Towards Atlantic Hockey Championship Showdown Against Holy Cross
- 2. Falcons on the Hunt for Their First AHA Title
- 3. Dominant Playoff Run Fueled by Team Effort
- 4. Recent History: February Win and January Split
- 5. A Rare Postseason Clash
- 6. Road to the NCAA Tournament
- 7. what does Coach Carter beleive will be the key to breaking down Holy Cross’s strong defense?
- 8. Atlantic Hockey Championship: Interview with Coach Emily Carter
- 9. Bentley’s Championship Hopes
- 10. Analyzing the Competition
- 11. The Importance of Goaltending
- 12. Looking Ahead to the NCAA Tournament
- 13. Final Thoughts
Falcons on the Hunt for Their First AHA Title
WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley University Falcons are set to face off against the Holy Cross Crusaders for the Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) championship. The puck drops at 7:00 PM on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Hart Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. While tickets to the game are sold out, fans can gather for a watch party at Harry’s on the Bentley campus and tune in to the live stream on Flo Hockey.
This is a pivotal moment for the #3 seeded Bentley Falcons, as they aim to capture their first-ever AHA championship title. Their only previous appearance in the finals was in the 2006 season, making this game a chance at redemption and a historic victory.
| team | Seed | Recent Playoff Record | Championship History |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bentley Falcons | #3 | 4-0, sweeps of Canisius and Sacred Heart | One previous finals appearance (2006) |
| Holy Cross Crusaders | #1 | series win over AIC, sweep of Army West Point | Seeking to add to their championship pedigree |
Dominant Playoff Run Fueled by Team Effort
Bentley’s journey to the championship game has been nothing short of impressive. They boast a perfect 4-0 record, highlighted by dominant sweeps of Canisius in the quarterfinals and sacred Heart in the semifinals. Notably, three of those wins were shutouts, showcasing the team’s solid defense and exceptional goaltending. Both games against Canisius and game two against Sacred Heart ended with the opposing team failing to score.
The #1 seed Holy Cross advanced to the championship game after a hard-fought three-game series win over AIC in the quarterfinals, followed by a sweep of Army West Point in the semifinals.
The Falcons’ success can be attributed to a collective team effort. As the team heads into this weekend’s championship,16 diffrent players have contributed at least one point during the four playoff games. A testament to the depth and versatility of the Bentley roster.
“As has been the case all season, it’s been a complete team effort for the Falcons during the postseason run. 16 different players have at least one point over the four games.”
Defense and goaltending have been the cornerstones of Bentley’s playoff success. Senior Tanner Main has been a force on the blue line, leading the team with 10 blocked shots. Goaltender Connor Hasley has been virtually impenetrable, boasting an astounding .980 save percentage and a minuscule 0.50 goals-against average in the playoffs. hasley’s performance mirrors that seen in the NHL, where goalies like Andrei Vasilevskiy have carried teams deep into the playoffs with similar statistics.
Recent History: February Win and January Split
The most recent encounter between Bentley and Holy Cross took place on Feb. 20 in Worcester, resulting in a 3-0 victory for the Falcons.Jake Black scored a crucial goal late in the first period, giving Bentley an early lead. The game remained tight until Stephen Castagna and Nik Armstrong-Kingkade sealed the win with empty-net goals in the final two minutes.
Earlier in the season,on Jan. 17-18, Holy Cross swept a series at Bentley Arena, winning 3-2 in overtime and 5-1.This split history sets the stage for a highly anticipated and competitive championship game.
A Rare Postseason Clash
Despite a long-standing rivalry and the close proximity of the two campuses, this championship game marks only the second postseason meeting between Bentley and holy Cross. Saturday’s game will be the 88th all-time meeting between the programs, with their only other postseason encounter occurring in the 2006 finals. This adds another layer of meaning to the already high-stakes matchup.
Road to the NCAA Tournament
The stakes are incredibly high, as the winner of this game will secure Atlantic Hockey’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The selection show to determine the full tournament bracket is scheduled for Sunday night. For a program like Bentley, an NCAA tournament berth would be a monumental achievement, providing national exposure and perhaps attracting higher-caliber recruits. It’s the hockey equivalent of a Cinderella story, similar to when a smaller school makes a surprising run in the NCAA basketball tournament.
the journey to the NCAA tournament exemplifies the spirit of college athletics, where dedication, teamwork, and perseverance can lead to extraordinary accomplishments, even for programs that may not have the same resources or national recognition as larger universities.
Beyond the immediate implications for the teams involved, the Atlantic Hockey Championship game is a presentation of the growth and competitiveness of college hockey in the United States. The potential success of a smaller program like Bentley on the national stage can inspire other schools and athletes to invest in and pursue excellence in the sport. This growth contributes to the overall health and popularity of hockey in America, fostering a deeper gratitude for the sport and its athletes.
what does Coach Carter beleive will be the key to breaking down Holy Cross’s strong defense?
Atlantic Hockey Championship: Interview with Coach Emily Carter
archyde News recently sat down with Bentley University Head Coach Emily Carter to discuss the upcoming Atlantic Hockey Championship final against Holy Cross.
Bentley’s Championship Hopes
Archyde News: Coach Carter, thank you for joining us. The Bentley Falcons are heading into the championship game with a lot of momentum. What has been the key to your team’s dominance throughout the playoffs?
Coach Carter: Thanks for having me.It’s been a complete team effort. We’ve seen contributions from all four lines, and our defense and goaltending have been extraordinary. Sixteen different players have at least one point in the playoffs, which shows the depth of our team and our team’s versatility.
Analyzing the Competition
archyde news: Holy Cross is a formidable opponent, and you have split the season series, including a recent 3-0 win. How does the team approach facing a team with such a strong defensive record, and what are the keys to breaking them down?
Coach Carter: holy Cross is a very disciplined team, particularly in their defensive structure. They allow very few scoring chances. We certainly know we’ll need to be patient, but we have had success in finding an edge. We’ve focused on creating traffic in front of the net, and our special teams will be crucial, to, and also keeping our focus without falling behind in the game.
The Importance of Goaltending
Archyde News: Connor Hasley has been playing at an incredibly high level. how crucial has his performance been to the Falcons’ success?
Coach Carter: Connor has been outstanding; he has kept us in almost every game and has been the backbone of our team. He has the poise of an experienced goalie, especially his ability to make difficult saves.
Looking Ahead to the NCAA Tournament
Archyde News: The winner of this game earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. What would an NCAA berth mean to the Bentley program? And what are the biggest challenges ahead with the limited time left to prepare?
Coach Carter: It would be huge. It is something the whole program has been aiming for. The selection show is Sunday night. For a program like Bentley, being in the NCAA tournament provides national exposure and can attract higher-caliber recruits. It is a huge step for the program. The biggest challenge is mentally, as the players have been focused at a high level for the past two months. Mentally, we need to overcome that; our team is well-prepared, and ther is not much else we can do.
Final Thoughts
Archyde news: Coach, what message do you have for the Bentley fans heading into this historic game?
coach Carter: We appreciate the incredible support we have received throughout the season. We hope you are here in spirit, and we will strive for the championship. Go Falcons!
Archyde News: Coach Carter, thank you for your time. Best of luck in the championship game.
Archyde News: What do you think will be the deciding factor in this crucial game? Share your predictions in the comments below!
