Bentley wins second straight Atlantic Hockey Championship: Heads to NCAA Tournament

The Falcons captured their second consecutive Atlantic Hockey Championship in front of a sold-out crowd at Bentley Arena Saturday night, delivering a performance that matched the energy inside the building.

Bentley overcame a 2-1 deficit against Sacred Heart University of Fairfield, Conn., after forward Kellan Hjartarson scored two key goals in the third period. The Falcons then withstood the final two minutes with SHU’s extra attacker on the ice to secure the championship.

The first goal of the night was scored by Bentley Forward Michael Mesic at 2:43 of the second period after a scoreless opening frame.

Trailing 2-1 after the second period, Bentley tied the game 2-2 at 3:12 of the third period. Mesic set up the goal after getting the puck from defenseman David Helledy. Mesic spun away from an SHU defender and passed to Hjartarson on the far post for a quick score.

The game was tied at 2-2 for more than nine minutes until Hjartarson scored his second goal, which turned out to be the game winner. Mesic had the assist again after he put a shot on net from the side boards and Hjartarson tipped the puck in for the goal.

Bentley held the 3-2 lead for the next several minutes and SHU pulled its goalie with 2:15 remaining. Several blocked shots and strong defensive play under pressure kept Bentley in the lead. After a timeout by SHU, a final defensive zone faceoff was won by Hjartarson and set off a huge celebration at Bentley Arena.

Mesic was named the Most Outstanding Player. Mesic, Hjartarson, Helledy and goalie Lukas Swedin, who made 24 saves, were named to the All-Tournament team from Bentley.

At 23-11-5, Bentley tied the program record for wins in a single-season set last year.

On to the NCAA Tournament

The Falcons now qualify to play in the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Hockey Championship. The postseason tournament determines the national champion of men’s college hockey in the United States.

At the ESPN NCAA selection show yesterday afternoon, the No. 16 Falcons were picked to play No. 1 Michigan at the regionals in Albany, N.Y., on Friday, March 27, at 5:30 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPNU. Tickets are available at the following link: MVP Arena.

The team gathered at Bentley Arena to learn its fate and showed excitement and confidence about the challenge ahead. 

“Michigan has a great team, but we’ll be ready. We played the No. 1 seed in the tourney last year,” Falcon defenseman and Waltham native Pat Lawn said. Lawn attended Falcons games growing up alongside his father, watching them compete against the best in college hockey. Now it’s his turn again.

“We’ll have practice this week, and then head out to Albany on Wednesday night. This gives us a chance to have a skate, check out the rink, and we’ll be ready to go,” he said.