WORCESTER, Mass. -- New Hampshire did something that has never been done against Boston University. The Wildcats will now try for their own school first.

Mike Ayers made 27 saves Saturday night as New Hampshire defeated Boston University 3-0 in the Northeast Regional final to advance to the Frozen Four.

The Wildcats (27-7-6), the Hockey East regular and postseason tournament champion, will attempt to win their first NCAA title, beginning April 10 in Buffalo, N.Y. It's UNH's seventh trip to the national semifinals.

"It's awesome to get back there," said Ayers, the tourney MVP. "Obviously we're hoping to make our trip there a little better than it was last time."

Last year, the Wildcats were defeated, 7-2, by Maine in the semifinals.

It marked the first time ever that BU (25-14-3) was shutout three times by the same opponent in one season. UNH has held the Terriers scoreless for the last 194 minutes, 24 seconds.

"For the most part, I thought it was the way we wanted it to go," BU coach Jack Parker said. "There was only one big problem -- Mike Ayers. He played great."

New Hampshire, the region's top seed, grabbed a 1-0 on Josh Prudden's power-play goal. Preston Callander's shot from the left circle deflected off Prudden and caromed by goaltender Sean Fields, who stopped 24 shots.

The Wildcats, unbeaten in their last 12 games (9-0-3), made it 2-0 on Patrick Foley's goal 9:12 into the third period. Foley made a diving lunge into the crease for the loose puck on rebound of Justin Aikins' shot.

Sean Collins added an empty-net goal with 65 seconds left.

UNH shutout BU, 1-0, in overtime for the Hockey East tourney title.

BU's best scoring bid came late in the first period when Bryan Miller's shot hit the crossbar.