Wildcats Take Down #2 Michigan State, 4-3, in Season Opener

Thursday, October 9

East Lansing, Mich.

7 PM

University of New Hampshire

1-0-0

Michigan State

0-1-0

New Hampshire

Michigan St.

Marty Lavins and Morgan Winters

Photo by: Ryan Moran

10/10/2025 12:05:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey

Box Score

Lavins scores game-winner; Winters nets two goals

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Junior alternate captain Marty Lavins (Riga, Latvia) scored the game-winning goal with just five seconds remaining in the third period as the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team defeated No. 2 Michigan State, 4-3, on Thursday evening at Munn Ice Arena in the season opener for both teams.

Senior captain Morgan Winters (Osprey, Fla.) was outstanding with two goals and one assist for three points. Senior alternate captain Cy LeClerc (Brentwood, N.H.) also found the back of the net. Lavins also had an assist for two points, while freshman defenseman Nick De Angelis (King City, Ontario) and freshman forward Sam Oliver (Saint John, New Brunswick) each recorded two assists for two points.

Senior goalie Kyle Chauvette (Goffstown, N.H.) earned the win in his Wildcat debut as he made 34 saves.

The Wildcats start the season 1-0-0, while the Spartans begin 0-1-0.

UP NEXT:

The Wildcats will conclude the two-game series at Michigan State on Friday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
After playing at Merrimack on Oct. 18, the home season will begin versus LIU (Oct. 24) and Quinnipiac (Oct. 25).
Tickets can be purchased at UNHWildcats.com/BuyTickets or by calling the ticket office at (603) 862-4000. Don't miss the most exciting family entertainment in New Hampshire.

Score: New Hampshire 4, #2 Michigan State 3
Records: UNH (1-0-0); MSU (0-1-0)
Location: East Lansing, Mich. (Munn Ice Arena)
Date: Oct. 9, 2025
Attendance: 6,555

BOXSCORE

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Spartans took a 1-0 lead at 11:32 of the first period when Anthony Romani fired a shot from the right faceoff circle as the puck ricocheted off the glove side post to the back of the net for the power play goal.
The Wildcats tied the game at 1-1 at 14:02 when Winters tipped in a slap shot by De Angelis for the power play score. Oliver also recorded an assist on the goal.
Just 24 seconds after the opening faceoff of the second period, Winters scored his second goal of the game as he sent a shot past the stick of MSU goalie Trey Augustine from the right faceoff circle to give the 'Cats a 2-1 advantage. Freshman defenseman Alex Carr (Sackville, Nova Scotia) posted an assist.
MSU evened the game at 7:59 of the second period as Charlie Strammel tipped in a shot by Owen West.
At 5:53 of the third period, the Wildcats went on a five-minute major and took advantage when LeClerc blasted a one-timer to the back of the net. De Angelis and Oliver each tallied their second assist of the night.
After Tommi Männistö tied the game at 3-3 at 15:39, Lavins netted the game winner with only five seconds remaining as he scored glove side off a pass from freshman forward Félix Gagnon (Jonquière, Quebec). Winters also recorded an assist for his third point of the game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

MSU outshot UNH, 37-26.
The Wildcats went 2-5 on the power play, while the Spartans went 1-3.
Chauvette made 34 saves to start his UNH career 1-0-0, while Augustine tallied 22 saves.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

This was the third career two-goal game by Winters and his fourth career three-point game.
De Angelis, Oliver, Carr and Gagnon each recorded their first collegiate points.
Lavins now has two career game-winning goals.
UNH is now 8-7-0 all-time versus Michigan State.
The last time UNH defeated a top-two nationally ranked team was a 6-4 win versus No. 1 Boston University on Oct. 13, 2023 in Durham.

WILDCATS FOR LIFE:

Wildcats for Life is back Sept. 29–Oct. 10!
UNH Athletics' annual fall fundraiser supports student-athletes across all programs and this year, your impact goes even further thanks to a generous $35,000 match. Every gift helps fuel the success of our Wildcats. Donate Here.