Using a very strong defense to insulate freshman starter Philip Svedebäck, the Friars won their first three games before dropping a weekend series with defending national champion, Denver.

The streak included a sweep of then-#5 Massachusetts and put the Friars at the top of the Hockey East standings.

While the goaltending was solid, if unspectacular, Providence's inability to score caused the team to tumble down the conference standings as the losses began to mount.

The defense did its job and stymied the Wildcats, holding them to just 23 shot, but the offense needed extra time to get the game winner.

Brady Berard's 1st goal of the season 4 minutes into overtime sent the Friars into the semifinal and a date with top-seeded Boston University.