Atlantic Youth Hockey League

Parisi's Goal Powers Providence to National Championship

Release Date : 04/12/2015

BOSTON, MASS. – AYHL alumnus Tom Parisi (Commack, N.Y.) scored one of the most unlikely goals in Frozen Four history to lead Providence College (Hockey East) to a 4-3 victory over Boston University for its first ever NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey National Championship.

With under 9:00 remaining in the game and Providence trailing by one, Parisi sent a harmless dump-in from the red line that Boston goaltender Matt O’Connor lost track of and misplayed into his own net, tying the game at 3.

“I go back to the bench and guys are saying, 'That went in,'" Parisi was quoted as saying. "I don't even know what to say. I was stunned. The second that went in, I knew we had it.”

After spotting Boston leads of 2-1 and 3-2, Parisi’s unlikely goal, which can be viewed by clicking here, brought life to the Providence bench, who saw its offense thwarted by O’Connor for fourteen consecutive shots after tying the game at 2 in the second period.

“I couldn't really see it in my glove. I thought it rolled out of it. I tried to drop and throw it to Jack (Eichel) and it was too late,” O'Connor was quoted as saying.

Parisi’s goal, his fifth of the season, set the stage for Providence to reclaim the lead on a goal by Brandon Tanev’s, just 2:19 later, which would prove to be the championship-winning goal.

“It was amazing," Tanev was quoted as saying. "I couldn't even register what was going on. It was a heck of a draw win by Kevin Rooney. Steve McParland was able to give me some space and I was able to rip that puck and it went in. It's something I dreamed of ever since I wanted to play college hockey. The words can't describe how I feel right now."

Making its fourth Frozen Four, and eleventh NCAA, appearance, Providence was led by goaltender Jon Gilles, who made a career-high 49 saves (52 shots), including a sprawling, highlight reel save in the game’s final moments to preserve the win and a NCAA Championship game record 21 saves in the second period. Gilles was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

While Gilles outstanding play garnered him the individual award, Parisi’s goal may be the takeaway moment from the entire tournament.

Parisi spent his entire AYHL playing career with the Long Island Gulls organization, playing with the Gulls from Pee Wee through Midget. Parisi moved on to play two seasons in the Atlantic Junior Hockey League (with the Gulls AJHL affiliate, New York Bobcats) and then dressed for ten games with the US NTDP in the 2011-12 season.

A third-year defenseman, Parisi has 11 goals and 28 assists in his college career.