The New Hampshire hockey team held home ice with a dominating 4-1 victory over Boston University on Saturday night.
The Wildcats (3-0-0, 1-0-0 Hockey East Association) scored two first-period goals within 18 seconds to take a 2-1 lead; one which they would never relinquish.
Trailing by one, UNH forward John Henrion scored the first of those two goals at the 8:52 mark after a receiving a pass from Casey Thrush and ripping a shot past BU goalkeeper Sean Maguire to even the score at 1-1. The Wildcats took a 2-1 lead shortly after when junior Nick Sorkin found the puck at the top of the crease and blasted a shot through the net.
BU (1-1-0, 1-1-0 HEA) struck first on a Wade Megan shot that ricocheted off UNH goalkeeper Casey DeSmith and into the net, giving the Terriers their only goal and a 1-0 lead just 43 seconds into the game.
The Wildcats added two insurance goals in the second period, extending their lead to 4-1. The pair of goals forced the Terriers to make a goalie change at the 12:19 mark, replacing Maguire with Matt O’Connor. O’Connor went on to save all 15 shots he faced.
UNH hits the ice next on Saturday with a home tilt against Northeastern. BU returns to action Friday when it hosts the first of back-to-back games against Massachusetts.
BC blanks Northeastern in home opener
Boston College did not disappoint the home crowd on its national championship banner-raising night, taking care of Northeastern, 3-0, on Saturday.
BC senior goalkeeper Parker Milner led the way for the Eagles (2-1-0, 2-1-0 HEA), putting together a 26-save effort en route to his fifth career shutout.
The Eagles scored their first goal — and only score they would need — 6:16 into the first period during a power play after junior Kevin Hayes fired the puck through the net after receiving a pass from Teddy Doherty.
Sophomore Johnny Gaudreau extended the Eagles lead to 2-0 about four minutes later after splitting two Husky defenders and sneaking through a goal on the breakaway.
BC senior forward Steven Whitney netted the last goal of the game in the second period after receiving a pass from Gaudreau and firing home a one-timer, putting the Eagles up by three.
Northeastern goalkeeper Chris Rawlings had 24 saves in a losing effort for Northeastern (2-1-0, 2-1-0 HEA). BC is next in action Friday as it hits the road to take on UMass Lowell. The Huskies also travel on Friday to Durham, N.H., to take on the Wildcats.
UMass Lowell picks up first victory of season
A third period game-winning goal by Joseph Pendenza and an excellent defensive effort by goalkeeper Doug Carr propelled UMass Lowell to a 3-1 road victory over Colorado College Saturday night.
Pendenza fired home the rebound off a deflected shot by teammate Josh Holmstrom at the 7:16 mark of the third period, giving the River Hawks (1-1-1, 0-0-1 HEA) a 2-1 lead they would never give back.
UMass Lowell freshman Ryan McGrath scored the first goal of the game after skating past two Tigers defenders inside the blue line and rifling a shot in the top left corner of the net, giving the River Hawks a 1-0 lead.
Colorado State (3-1-0) had its only goal come in the second period after Aaron Harstad found an opening through a crowd in front of the net, firing a shot that deflected off the left post and in to knot the game at 1-1.
UMass Lowell outshot the Tigers, 39-28, for the game, including a 14-10 advantage in the last 20 minutes of the game.
The River Hawks head home Friday to host Boston College, while Colorado College visits Cornell on Friday.
Joey Saade can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @MDC_Saade
