By Hockey Y'all

The Cincinnati Bearcats, who surprised the throng at the ACHA Division 2 National Tournament this weekend in suburban Dallas with a couple dramatic come-from-behind victories, couldn’t muster a third in tonight’s semifinal round.

Trailing 3-1 early in the third period, the Cats got to within 3-2 on a Brady Kiplinger goal. That’s as close as they would get to upsetting Florida Gulf Coast, the defending D2 national champion. FGCU earned a crack at another championship with a 3-2 triumph.

The Eagles will meet Northeastern (Mass.) Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET in the national championship game. (Photo: FGCU hopes to repeat this scene from last year's D2 finale.)

FGCU, whose ACHA resume includes three national titles in the last seven seasons, took a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes of tonight’s game on goals by Shawn O'Meara and Keaton Arkeilpane. Half of that was wiped out by Brandon Armstrong’s team-leading sixth goal late in the second period.

The Eagles' Eddie Leon scored 1:23 into the third period to restore FGCU's lead to two goals, at 3-1.

Cincinnati Bearcats National Tournament Results

3/22: Lindenwood, W 3-1

3/23: Northern Arizona, W 5-4 (OT)

3/24: Keene State, W 6-3

3/25: Florida Gulf Coast, L 3-2