The University of New Hampshire scored three third period goals to lift the Wildcats past Northeastern University 6-3 on Friday Night at The Whittemore Center.
The Huskies were able to get on the board first after Ryan Ginand and Mike Morris set up freshmen Chad Costello in front of the net. UNH tied up the contest when Trevor Smith would score his sixth of the season after taking a shot from the top of the right circle after being set up by linemates Matt Fornataro and Jerry Pollastrone.
Northeastern scored again after Jimmy Russo and Joe Vitale assisted on Kyle Kraemer’s goal which made it a 2-1 game. Northeastern would hold the one goal advantage going into the second period.
New Hampshire tied up the score when Smith would net his second of the night right after a UNH power play expired. The Wildcats would go on to get there first lead of the night when assistant captain Chris Murray would score on a one timer and make it past Northeastern goalie Adam Geragosian. With just 1:41 remaining in the second period, Costello would score his second goal of the night to make it a 2-2 contest going into the third.
UNH coach Dick Umile said his team went into the third period knowing it was a twenty minute hockey game. “It was our building and we needed to come out and do something. We did a tremendous job, we put the puck in, got after it, turned it around and made some great plays…it was a good win for us, an important win for us.”
The Wildcats definitely came out and did something. They would go onto to score three third period goals to gain their first home and hockey east victory. Brett Hemingway started the scoring sequence just 27 seconds into the third. Defensemen Jamie Fritsch and Jacob Micflikier were credited with assists on Hemingway’s goal.
Eighteen seconds later, Trevor Smith passed the puck from behind the net to Matt Fornataro who then scored his first goal of the season to give UNH a 5-3 lead. Pollastrone was also given the assist on Fornataro’s goal. The Wildcats would have a two man advantage for 1:07 after the huskies’ David Strathman and Bryan Esner were in the penalty box. Strathman’s penalty would expire, but UNH would still be on the power play. Captain Josh Ciocco would score off the rebound after the initial shot was taken by Hemingway. Micflikier was also given the assist on the goal.
Northeastern coach Greg Cronin said New Hampshire was able to get that momentum from the home crowd after scoring at the start of the third period. “Any team playing in front of a full house and scores a goal and generates that momentum its going to feed off the enthusiasm of the crowd and that’s what they did.”
New Hampshire improved to 3-2-0, 1-1-0 in hockey east while Northeastern fell to 2-4-1, 0-3-1. Both teams will play again on Saturday night at Matthews Arena. Game time is 7 p.m.
