WORCESTER, Mass. – The magical stretch run for Post University Men's Ice Hockey came to a close on Saturday night as the fourth seeded Eagles got a late score from sophomore defenseman Eoin Reager to tie the Northeast-10 Semifinals matchup against top seeded Assumption University at one, before falling in overtime, 2-1, to the Greyhounds on a goal by senior forward Thomas McGaffigan, ending the season for Post. 

THE BASICS

Post University 1, Assumption University 2 (OT)

Post University (9-19-1)

Assumption University (22-8-2) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Senior goalie Benjamin Cunneen did everything he could to keep Post in the game, making 51 saves across his 64:28 of ice time, including 17 saves in a scoreless first period, which was matched by sophomore goalie Michael Salvatore's 14 saves, who made one stop during the lone power play of the first for the Eagles. Assumption would have a goal waved off as well, just over halfway through the frame, as the officials ruled a Greyhound player was pushed into Cunneen, allowing them to score.

But a second-period strike from junior forward Leo Piandes would not be called back as he was set up by junior forward Jonathan Surrette and freshman forward Jake Russell for the one-timer on the right side of Cunneen, giving the Greyhounds a 1-0 lead into the third period, as Salvatore withstood eight shots by the Post offense to maintain the one-goal advantage.

After numerous attempts on the doorstep of Salvatore in the third, the Eagles finally broke through on their second and final power play of the affair with Reager's goal from sophomore defenseman Aidan Canady and senior forward Jacob Howell coming with under eight to go in regulation. Salvatore closed out regulation with 36 saves, making 14 more in the third, while Cunneen had to make 18 saves to force the extra session.

While Post would win the offensive battle in terms of shots on goal by a 4-2 margin, it would be McGaffigan sending the Greyhounds to the NE10 Championship Game to face Saint Anselm College next Saturday with his overtime winner from junior forward Luke Evers, ending Post's season with a 2-1 loss about 4 1/2 minutes into overtime.

BY THE NUMBERS 

• Aidan Canady finishes the season recording seven points in the last five games with two goals and five assists -- Canady closed with a team-leading 20 points overall
• In the all-time series, Post University has gone to overtime with Assumption University six times, holding a 1-4-1 record in such situations 
• Since winning three consecutive games against Assumption University, Post University has now dropped its last seven matchups with the Greyhounds over the past two seasons 
• Post University ended the season tied for its best finish in the NE10 Conference standings in fourth place while reaching the CACC Semifinals for only the second time in program history