In the NCAA hockey title game Saturday, Boston University goalie Matt O'Connor made the kind of mistake that defies description. But we can try: heartbreaking, unbelievable and unforgettable.
With his team up a goal in the third period of the game in Boston, O'Connor routinely caught a puck fired by Providence College's Tom Parisi. But what happened next was anything but routine.
O'Connor held the puck in his glove momentarily and then inexplicably dropped it between his legs, where it bounced in for the tying goal by Providence. O'Connor then surrendered the game-winner a few minutes later.
Providence triumphed 4-3 for its first Frozen Four title, ESPN reported.
O'Connor told the Boston Globe his team and fans deserved a better result. “I couldn’t really see it in my glove,’’ O’Connor said of his gaffe. “I thought it had rolled out a bit. So I tried to drop and throw it to Jack [Eichel], but it was too late."
After the match, O'Connor could be seen doubled over with his head on his chest. "You see a teammate hurting like that, you can’t really have that happen,’’ BU defenseman Brandon Hickey said to the Globe. “He’s the reason we really got here. Without him in net, playing the way he did, there was no way we could get this far. I told him that bounces happen. Sometimes they go your way, sometimes they don’t.’’
H/T Deadspin
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