For the first time in program history, Bentley is heading to the NCAA Tournament. The Falcons clinched their first conference title and the Atlantic Hockey auto-bid just after 9:40 p.m. on Saturday, skating to a 6-3 win over Holy Cross.

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Bentley, which has fielded a Division I program since 1999, had previously reached the AHA Championship Game once – a 2006 loss to Holy Cross. Yet the Falcons found themselves on top this time around.

Bentley (23-14-2) finished the regular season with a 16-9-1 conference record and 51 points, good for third place. The Falcons enter the NCAA Tournament with wins in five straight, 10 of their past 12, and they’ve shutout their opponent in six of those 12.

Andy Jones’ squad swept Canisius in the quarterfinals, winning 4-0 and 2-0, and Sacred Heart last weekend by a combined 8-2. Bentley trailed 2-0 in Game 1 but responded with eight unanswered goals. They continued that success on the road Saturday night, knocking off top-seeded Holy Cross.

THE FALCONS ARE THE ATLANTIC HOCKEY CHAMPIONS!!!!

A 6-3 WIN OVER HOLY CROSS AND BENTLEY IS HEADED TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT! pic.twitter.com/nJL7zhFmw8

— Bentley Athletics (@BentleyFalcons) March 23, 2025

Nik Armstrong scored twice and added two assists and Ethan Leyh had another pair of helpers, while Connor Hasley made 17 saves. The junior is 21-12-2 with a .923 save percentage and 1.95 GAA, including an NCAA-leading 11 shutouts – four ahead of the nation’s next closest goaltender (Jacob Fowler, BC). Leyh leads the Falcons with 40 points.

Bentley is likely heading to Manchester as the No. 16 seed, although that will be officially determined on Sunday.

The selection show gets underway at 3 p.m. EDT and will be televised on ESPNU. The 2025 NCAA Tournament begins on Thursday with the Fargo and Toledo Regionals, followed by the Allentown and Manchester Regionals on Friday.

The 2025 Frozen Four is set for April 10-12 at Enterprise Center in St. Louis.

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