ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Boston College goalie Katie Burt got a clear view of the first 35 shots she faced in Friday’s Frozen Four semifinal game against top-seeded Wisconsin.
Shot No. 36, well, that still remains a mystery to the talented junior netminder.
Wisconsin senior defenseman Mellissa Channell scored on a long drive from the left point with 16.2 seconds left in regulation to propel the Badgers to a 1-0 win in the showdown at The Family Arena.
The Eagles (28-6-5), who reached the Frozen Four for the third successive season, were denied a shot at their first national championship, thanks to a drive that found its way through traffic and into the right corner of the net.
“I didn’t see it at all until it passed me,’’ Burt said. “It was chaos in front of the net. I’m not sure what happened.’’
Even Channell, who scored just her 11th goal in four years, wasn’t sure what happen.
“I just kind of blacked out,’’ Channell said.
Burt was spectacular the entire contest, outdueling Badgers goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens, who led the NCAA in shutouts (16), wins (28), and goals against average (0.69). Desbiens made several key saves, especially in the first period when the Eagles reeled off 11 successive shots on goal.
But Burt stole the show with one highlight-reel stop after another.
“She was unbelievable,’’ Boston College coach Katie Crowley said.
Burt, who has 91 career wins, was especially impressive in the second and third periods when she stopped 29 shots.
She robbed Annie Pankowski from point-blank range midway through the third. Burt’s glove save of a shot from Presley Norby late in the second might have been her best of the night.
“This one hurts, but as a team we can be really proud of the effort we produced,’’ Burt said. “You like to get the win, but we left everything we had out there.’’
The Eagles took the play to Wisconsin (33-2-4) in the first period, recording 12 of the game’s first 13 shots on goal. Kristyn Capizzano, Andie Anastos, Haley McLean, and Delaney Belinskas were all thwarted by Desbiens (22 saves).
Wisconsin began to regain control in the second period and dominated play in stretches over the final 20 minutes.
The Eagles turned heads across the country with another Frozen Four trip in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. They lost several key players from last year’s 40-1 team that lost to Minnesota in the national championship game.
“Nobody expected us to be here,’’ BC junior defenseman Megan Keller said. “This team has the most heart of any I’ve ever played on.’’
McLean led BC with five shots on goal.
“That was an unbelievable hockey game,’’ Crowley said. “I’m so proud of the way our team played for the whole 60 minutes.’’
BC, which drops to 1-6 in national semifinals, was making its sixth Frozen Four appearance since 2011.
Clarkson defeated Minnesota, 4-3, in the second semifinal.
