Canton's Cotter Scores OT Winner as Devils Top Bruins

Michigan hockey maintains top ranking in national polls

Mar. 17, 2026 at 5:07am

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Paul Cotter of Canton, Michigan scored the game-winning goal with 7 seconds left in overtime to give the New Jersey Devils a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins. Meanwhile, the University of Michigan hockey team remained ranked #1 in both national polls, followed by North Dakota, Michigan State, Denver, and Western Michigan.

Why it matters

Cotter's overtime heroics provided a thrilling finish for the Devils, who are still battling to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. The continued dominance of the Michigan hockey program also highlights the strength of college hockey in the state.

The details

In the Devils-Bruins game, Cotter scored a goal in regulation and then netted the overtime winner after Boston's Charlie McAvoy hit the post just seconds earlier. Jack Hughes had three assists for New Jersey, while Connor Brown and Jesper Bratt also scored. In the college hockey rankings, Michigan received all 50 first-place votes in the USCHO.com poll and all 34 first-place votes in the USA Hockey NCAA Div. 1 men's hockey poll.

  • On Monday, Michigan remained #1 in both national polls.
  • On Monday, Paul Cotter scored the overtime winner for the Devils against the Bruins.

The players

Paul Cotter

A 24-year-old forward from Canton, Michigan who plays for the New Jersey Devils.

Michigan Wolverines

The men's hockey team at the University of Michigan, which has been ranked #1 in the nation in both major polls.

Jack Hughes

A forward for the New Jersey Devils who had three assists in their win over the Bruins.

Charlie McAvoy

A defenseman for the Boston Bruins who hit the post in the final seconds of overtime against the Devils.

Joonas Korpisalo

The goaltender for the Boston Bruins who made 30 saves in the loss to the Devils.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Devils will look to build on their overtime win as they continue to chase a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

Cotter's heroics provided an exciting finish for the Devils, while Michigan's continued dominance in college hockey underscores the strength of the sport in the state of Michigan.