Friday, Nov. 15, UNH men’s hockey took on Northeastern in their third Hockey East Matchup of the season, winning 4-1.
Northeastern scored within the first two minutes with a shot from Jake Higgins, shooting from the far side of the right faceoff circle and into the left side of the net. The Wildcats quickly tied the score from a breakaway with captain Alex Gagne. He gained this breakaway from the help of Ryan Conmy checking Vinny Borgesi, the left defense that was chasing Gagne. On the breakaway Gagne was able to come from the left and shoot the puck high to the top of the net. This is Gagne’s second goal in his career as he is a defensive player.
“To help our team win, it felt good to actually score with my stick and not with my foot at home, so that was nice,” commented Gagne.
Northeastern was rattled after the goal and had 5 shots on the net, which Jared Whale saved effortlessly.
The second period started quiet until Northeastern gained a power play 5:32 into the period. Even though Northeastern was on the power play, UNH had some close shots, helping halt their momentum. UNH gained a power play of their own 10:24 into the period but didn’t get their second goal of the night until right after Northeastern’s Jake Boltmann left the penalty box. UNH’s Morgan Winters shot the puck from the center of the right faceoff circle off a pass from Gagne, and the puck flew into the net.
For the first half of the third period, UNH predominantly stayed on defense to protect their lead. The Wildcats strengthened their lead with another goal and 5:22 left in the period.
“I was proud, we didn’t shy away from our game plan. Like that’s one thing that I’m proud about our group is that no matter what happens, we want to stick to how we play because when we play like that, good things happen,” said Gagne.
Colton Huard shot the puck deep and it was blocked by Northeastern goalie, Cameron Whitehead, as the puck bounced from the crease to Cy LeClerc, who flicked the puck into the net as Whitehead recovered.
“He finds a way to contribute even maybe when he’s not at his best, and he scored a huge goal for us there,” said Head Coach Mike Sousa.
Whitehead left the net with 1:46 left in the third period, giving UNH many opportunities to score on an open net. That opportunity came after Northeastern took a timeout. Robert Cronin won the faceoff and gave the puck to Winters, who shot the puck across the ice into the empty net with 14 seconds left.
The Wildcats will be at the Whittemore Center at Key Auto Complex for a Matchup against UMaine on Nov. 22. This game along with many others can also be watched on ESPN+.