WALTHAM, Mass. – Back-to-back! Bentley won its second straight Atlantic Hockey championship on Saturday night with a 3-2 victory over Sacred Heart at sold out Bentley Arena.

Kellan Hjartarson scored two goals in the third period as the Falcons overcome a 2-1 deficit and withstood the final two-plus minutes with SHU's extra attacker on the ice to secure the championship.

Trailing 2-1 after the second period, Bentley tied the game 2-2 at 3:12 of the third period.

Michael Mesic set the goal up after receiving the puck from David Helledy upon entering the offensive zone. Mesic spun away from an SHU defender, drove in on net and spotted Hjartarson on the far post for a quick shot from below the right faceoff dot.

The game was knotted at two for the next nine plus minutes until Hjartarson scored what was the game winning goal.

Mesic had the primary assist again after he put a shot on goal from along the left side boards and Hjartarson was in front of the net to tip the puck in for the goal.

Bentley held the 3-2 lead for the next several minutes and SHU pulled its goalie with 2:15 remaining.

Several blocked shots prevented any strong looks on net for SHU as the seconds ticked away.

After a timeout by the Pioneers, a final defensive zone faceoff was won by Hjartarson to setoff a huge celebration at Bentley Arena.

Mesic was named the Most Outstanding Player. Mesic, Hjartarson, Helledy and Lukas Swedin were the Falcons named to the All-Tournament team.

The first goal of the night was scored by Mesic at 2:43 of the second period after a scoreless opening frame.

SHU tied it at 5:59 of the second on a goal by Vitaly Levvy, then took the lead at 2-1 on a power play goal by Gavin Bryant at 15:15 of the second.

Swedin made 24 saves to earn the win.

The NCAA selection show is on Sunday at 3:00 pm.