BIDDEFORD, Maine – The Wentworth Institute of Technology ice hockey team stayed neck-and-neck with the Nor'Easters of the University of New England until the third period, when the hosts potted three-straight goals to take a 4-1 outcome against the Leopards in conference action Friday night.
THE BASICS:
RECORDS: UNE: 12-5-1 (10-4-0 CCC); WIT: 4-13-1 (2-11-1 CCC)
SHOTS: UNE: 28; WIT: 24
PENALTIES/MINUTES: UNE: 6/31; WIT: 10/31
POWER PLAYS: UNE: 1-7; WIT: 0-2
GOALIE SAVES: UNE: Joe Stanizzi, 23; WIT: Jack McGovern, 24
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- An even, goal-less first period featured an 18-17 shot advantage for UNE. Freshman Jack McGovern (Ancaster, Ont.) stopped all 18 for the Leopards while sophomore Joe Stanizzi (Chelmsford, Mass.) made 17 saves for the hosts. Wentworth didn't capitalize on their one extra-man chance of the period while the Nor'Easters went 0-2 with the extra skater.
- The Nor'Easters broke the ice 1:14 into the second period when freshman Mike Tersoni (Framingham, Mass.) intercepted a breakout pass and fed graduate student Daniel Winslow (Fairifeld, Conn.), who beat McGovern as he was sliding over.
- The Leopards tied the score on the man-advantage when junior Matt Smoliga (Glenville, Ill.) fed junior Josh Faussett (Okemos, Mich.) at the bottom of the circle for a wide open shot on goal. His shot found the back of the net, tying the score at one-all.
- UNE took a 2-1 lead 1:20 into the third period when sophomore Anthony Sciucco (Winchester, Mass.) slapped a shot past a sliding McGovern.
- On the powerplay, the Nor'Easters made a quick passing play off the rush that resulted in a tap-in goal by sophomore Ryan Kuzmich (Norton, Mass.), extending UNE's lead to 3-1 with just over six minutes left in the game.
- Senior Jake Fuss (Fairfield, Conn.) scored a backhander all alone 1:30 after Kuzmich's tally to bring the score to 4-1.
SERIES NOTES:
- UNE owns the all-time series, 14-2-1.
NEXT UP:
- The Leopards host the Nor'Easters tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.
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