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University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
19-18-2
Providence College
22-13-2
Camper Lifts Men's Hockey Past No. 10 Providence in OT, 2-1; Team Advances to HE Semifinals
3/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Senior forward Jay Camper (Rock River, Ohio) scored at 7:17 of overtime to lift the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team to a 2-1 victory over No. 10 Providence College in the decisive game of the Hockey East Quarterfinals. The team advances to the league semifinals on Friday, March 20 at the TD Garden.
The Wildcats will play No. 1 seed and third-ranked Boston University at 8 p.m. on Friday.
The win improves the Wildcats to 19-18-2 on the year while the Friars fall to 22-13-2. Senior forward Grayson Downing (Abbottsford, British Columbia) also scored for UNH in the win.
The goal came when junior defenseman Brett Pesce (Tarrytown, N.Y.) fired a shot on the Providence net. Camper, who was screening PC netminder Jon Gillies, redirected the shot low and past Gillies on the goaltenders left side. The goal was Camper's fourth of the season. Freshman Shane Eiserman (Newburyport, Mass.) initiated the play as he sent a pass from along the boards to Pesce.
Providence's Brian Pinho got a chance just over four minutes into the first period as he fired a shot from just inside the left faceoff circle. His attempt hit the post and bounced away from play.
After the first period of play, the Wildcats and Friars were notched at 0-0. PC held an 8-3 advantage in shots.
Downing gave the Wildcats a 1-0 lead at the 12:54 mark of the second period with his team-leading 21st goal of the season. Rookie Warren Foegele (Unionville, Ontario) started the play as he won a puck battle down in the corner of the PC zone. Eiserman corralled the puck and fed a pass to Downing who was waiting at the top of the slot. Downing ripped a one timer that rung the bottom of the crossbar and went into the net.
On the other end of the ice, freshman netminder Danny Tirone (Trumbull, Conn.) remained perfect through two periods of play as he had made saves on all 16 shots faced. He faced his toughest challenge with just under five minutes left in the second period as Trevor Mingoia fired a shot from point-blank range on net. Tirone sprawled and made the save to deny the threat.
At the end of the second period, the Wildcats held a 1-0 lead.
At the 1:20 mark of the third period, the Friars tied the game at 1-1 as Nick Saracino found the back of the net. The goal occurred after a flurry of shots and rebounds in front of Tirone. Tirone made initial saves, but the puck popped up and Saracino swatted it into the net.
Both teams were eager to get the game winner as each kept taking shot after shot. The Friars attempted 10 in the period and converted on one while PC netminder Jon Gillies saved all six of UNH's shots on goal. At the end of regulation, the two teams were tied 1-1 and heading to overtime.
In the overtime frame, each team saw quality chances, however neither could convert. Senior Casey Thrush (Easton, Md.) nearly won it for UNH as he ripped a one timer just wide of the Providence net. Moments later, classmate Matt Willows (Congers, N.Y.) sent a backhanded shot barely wide past the PC goal.
After Camper's goal, the Wildcats prevailed, 2-1. Tirone made 30 saves in the effort and improves to 14-5-0 on the season. Gillies got the loss for PC as he made 26 saves. His record fell to 20-13-2.
Providence was held scoreless on five power play chances while UNH was held scoreless on three opportunities.
For more information on men's hockey, visit www.UNHWildcats.com.
