Bobby Butler might not be able to grow a handlebar mustache like the rest of his teammates, but the UNH forward helped end the Wildcats’ scoring drought and solve the riddle that is Ben Scrivens. Butler’s late second period shot was declared a goal after a nearly 10-minute review and ended both the Wildcats’ scoring drought and Scrivens’ ECAC record 266:11 shutout streak.
The goal not only tied the game, but began a late UNH scoring onslaught that continued with Mike Sislo’s goal 26 seconds later.
“That was a big turn of events and then Sislo came back with that goal,” Butler said. “Scrivens has been playing well, so we had to go hard on him.”
The two goals gave Butler, the Hockey East Player of the Year, a Division I leading 29. It also ensured that Scrivens’ Cornell career ended on a sour note.
“Ben’s been awesome for us all year long,” Cornell coach Mike Schafer said. “We left him out to dry. He’s one of the best goaltenders that I’ve ever coached and he’s had a tremendous career.”
Out of Character and Out of the Tournament
For a team that’s well renowned for its defensive prowess, the late breakdown (two late second period goals and three third period goals, not including an empty-netter), was something that left the Big Red shell-shocked, even after the game.
“It’s surprising, given the way we’ve been playing in the playoffs,” senior captain Colin Greening said. “Some games you have it, some games you don’t. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why we couldn’t bring it tonight.”
Prior to Friday’s game, Cornell allowed four or more goals just four times this season.
