Hockey Edged by UNE to Wrap up First Semester Play

EVERETT, Mass. – Three different players scored goals as the 11th-ranked University of New England ice hockey team defeated Wentworth Institute of Technology, 3-1, in Commonwealth Coast Conference action on Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS:

RECORDS:  UNE:  8-1-1 (7-1-1 CCC); WIT:  3-8-2 (2-6-1 CCC)
SHOTS:  UNE:  29; WIT 29
PENALTIES/MINUTES:  UNE:  3/6; WIT: 2/4
POWER PLAYS:  UNE:  0-2; WIT:  0-3
GOALIE SAVES:  UNE:  Billy Girard 28; WIT:  Will Oliver, 29

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A fast-paced first period saw both teams with scoring chances but neither finding the back of the net. Wentworth was outshot by an 11-9 margin in the first period and had two shot attempts hit the post.
• The Leopards had an early power-play opportunity in the second period and put three shots on net, including a second-chance effort by junior Kevin Obssuth (Chester, N.J.). Nor'Easter sophomore Billy Girard (Boca Raton, Fla.) had three saves on the shorthanded situation.
• UNE had a five-on-three power play for 1:10 in the period but were only able to get one shot on goal. Shortly after the second power play expired, the Nor'Easters got on the board. Senior Jimmy Elser (Verbank, N.Y.) broke up a play in the Wentworth offensive zone and sent a pass to freshman Ryan Kuzmich (Norton, Mass.) along the far boards. Kuzmich carried the puck into the zone where he found freshman Shane Courtmanche (Madison, Conn.) for a 1-0 lead.
• Wentworth came out firing in the third period, forcing Girard to make four saves on an early power play. The Leopards went on their second power play of the period at the 7:42 mark, however, the Nor'Easters added to their lead with the special teams goal as senior Austin Morgan (Detroit, Mich.) netted a shorthanded goal – from junior Tyler Glennon (West Chester, Pa.) at 7:56.
• The Black & Gold pulled within one at 11:25 as junior Trent Pitser (Beverly Hills, Mich.) fed Obssuth behind the net. Obssuth sent a pass to freshman George Weiner (Wayne, N.J.) who buried his second of the second with a shot from inside the blue line.
• UNE brought its lead back to two with 2:43 left in the game. Junior Colin Heinold (Charleston, S.C.) carried the puck through the zone and fed graduate student Daniel Winslow (Fairfield, Conn.). Winslow had his shot saved by sophomore Will Oliver (Chesterfield, Mo.), however, the rebound squirted out where junior Jared Christy (Costa Mesa, Calif.) poked home the rebound to make it 3-1.
• Oliver was pulled for an extra attacker with 2:24 left and, while Wentworth put three shots on goal during this time, the Leopards were unable to come closer.
• Girard made 28 saves for UNE while Oliver made 26 for Wentworth as shots were even at 29-all.
• The Nor'Easters came into the game with the 12th-ranked power play in Division III. Wentworth's penalty kill allowed just one shot on goal in two shorthanded situations, killing both penalties.
• The Leopards won 34-of-58 faceoffs. Sophomore Josh Faussett (Okemos, Mich.) won 17 of those 34 draws.

SERIES NOTES:

• Today marked the 13th all-time meeting between the two teams. UNE now holds a 10-2-1 series advantage. The last four series meetings have been decided by a total of five goals.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth is idle until Friday, January 14, when the Leopards host Curry.

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