PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — After reaching the NCAA Men’s College Hockey Tournament last season for the first time since 2001, the PC Friars are back at it again. The only difference this season, was that the team has built on their success by reaching the Frozen Four for the first time in 30 years.
The Friars will take on Omaha Thursday evening, who have never been this far in the tournament in school history.
Future NHL draft pick John Gillies has been an integral part to the teams success behind the net. He turned down the prospects of going to the NHL to join the Calgary Flames, and instead returned to Providence for his junior year.
It has been a decision he surely doesn’t regret, ahead of what will be the biggest game of his collegiate life.
“It’s no different, the game doesn’t change,” said Gillies. “The job is still letting less goals than the other goalie lets in, so nothing changes on that front.”
PC head coach Nate Leaman remains confident, but does not want to miss out on such a huge opportunity to make it to the championship game.
“20 years from now we don’t want to look back and have any regrets,” said Leaman. “We don’t want the distractions to affect us a whole lot and we want to make sure that we’re focusing on our game.”
If they do get past Omaha, the Friars would then face the winner of BU vs. North Dakota.
The PC vs. Omaha game can be seen on ESPN2 at 5 p.m. Thursday.
