UNH Gets Smoked At Home In 6-2 Loss To Northeastern

UNH Freshman Marcus Vela
3 Goals in 2 Games

DURHAM, NH - UNH was trying to snap a three game losing streak as they made their way back home Saturday night to play the Huskies after falling 4-2 the night before at Northeastern University.

Meanwhile, the Huskies were looking to win on back-to-back days against UNH for the first time since 1998 as they stepped into enemy territory.

The first period was as back and forth as it gets in hockey. Both teams had strong opportunities and some good looks, but the goalies stood tall and kept it scoreless through 20 minutes.

As opposed to the norm for the Wildcats, the strong play early on was the defensive presence for UNH. The team was tight defensively and didn’t allow the Huskies many grade A chances in the first period. Sticks were active and players were in the right spots, but there wasn’t much to show offensively.

In the second period, defensive presence was forgotten. Northeastern scored five goals on eight shots against Danny Tirone and the Wildcat defense.

Sam Kurker opened up the scoring for the Huskies just 2:32 into the second period.

Senior forward Dan Correale responded with a wrap around goal as he tucked the puck beside the pad of Ryan Ruck to even up the score 1-1 at 11:29 of the second.

Then things got out of hand for UNH. Northeastern pocketed three goals in just over three minutes of play, including a power play and shorthanded goal.

Northeastern’s offense was clicking, especially on odd man rushes. The scoring plays ranged from perfectly executed 3 on 2’s to a shorthanded breakaway goal for Kurker (his second goal of the game). Northeastern built up a 4-1 lead with 3:34 remaining in the second period and never looked back.

Tirone was hung out to dry multiple times by his defenders, who looked like they forgot how to do everything they were doing right in the first period. Players were caught up ice, defenders were losing coverage and the Northeastern forwards were capitalizing with quick and crisp passes.

Freshman Marcus Vela responded just 14 seconds later on a power play goal and it looked like UNH would hold on to some hope heading into the third period.

But Northeastern’s Dylan Sikura added another NU goal just 1:06 later to make it 5-2 at 17:46 of the second.

UNH would head to the second intermission trailing 5-2 and with what had to be a terrible taste in their mouth.

It didn’t get any better for the ‘Cats in the third, as Northeastern junior Mike Jamieson scored his first collegiate goal to put the Huskies up 6-2 at 9:04 of the third to finish the scoring. Backup UNH goalie Jamie Regan played the final 7 minutes of the game.

Here are the video highlights of the Northeastern game courtesy of UNH Athletics:



UNH has lost four games in a row and their record fell to 8-10-4 overall and 2-4-4 in Hockey East. Northeastern improved to 7-12-4 overall and now holds a 2-8-3 record in conference play. With the weekend sweep over UNH, the Huskies move out of last place in Hockey East. UNH has earned one more point than NU and is tied for 8th in the conference. UNH returns to action next weekend with a two home games against Notre Dame.

Box Score