St. Bonaventure University

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Bonnies move one step closer to semifinals at hockey nationals

Mar 13, 2026


Two down, one to go.

St. Bonaventure (25-4-1) scored four answered goals to upend Utah State (24-12), 6-3, Friday night at the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 2 National Tournament in St. Louis.

The Bonnies, who rallied to defeat Florida Atlantic, 4-3, Thursday, now control their own fate in their quest to reach the national semifinals Monday. A win over St. Thomas at 7:30 p.m. EST Saturday will clinch Pool A.

However, a loss Saturday will allow St. Thomas, which beat Florida Atlantic, 5-1, to advance on a tiebreaker (head-to-head) if it’s a two-way tie for first in Pool A with the Bonnies.

The second tiebreaker is fewest goals allowed if it’s a three-way tie with Utah State, which plays Florida Atlantic Saturday. St. Thomas has allowed three goals in its two games, SBU has allowed six, and Utah State has allowed seven.

Sam Chiavetta opened the scoring for the Bonnies just 1:52 into the game, but the Aggies scored twice within two minutes midway through the first period to take a 2-1 lead.

But a power play goal by Carson Schlager late in the first knotted the game and a shorthanded breakaway goal by Cole Bailey just eight seconds after the Aggies went on the power play early in the second period seized momentum for the Bonnies that they wouldn’t relinquish.

Michael Clouden’s brilliant length-of-the-ice rush and short-sided wrister gave the Bonnies a 4-2 lead with 10:59 to play in the second. Ryan Berry scored on a nifty backhander off a great pass from Jake Giordano early in the third, and Michael Robertson closed out the scoring with an empty-netter with 52 seconds left.

Ryan Levesque and Sam Renaud also had assists for the Bonnies.

Winners of each of the four pools in the 16-team tourney advance to the semifinals Monday, with the winners playing Tuesday, March 17, for the national title. Sunday is an off day.

All tournament games will be streamed here (subscription required).

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #8 for value and #19 overall by U.S. News and World Report (2025).