Men’s Hockey Topped by UConn, 5-4, in OT

Saturday, February 27

Durham, N.H.

7:00 PM

University of New Hampshire

10-18-6, 4-12-6HE

University of Connecticut

11-19-4, 6-12-4HE

OT 1

Connecticut

New Hampshire

Junior defenseman Matias Cleland leads the league in blocked shots and gets his share of points, too.

2/27/2016 10:21:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey

Box Score

By: Doug Poole

DURHAM, N.H. – Michael McNicholas (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) and Andrew Poturalski (Williamsville, N.Y.) both recorded two points, but the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team was upended 5-4 in overtime by the University of Connecticut in Saturday night's regular-season finale at the Whittemore Center.

UNH travels to play Merrimack College in a best-of-three Hockey East quarterfinal series March 3, 4 & 6. All game times are set for 7 p.m.

GAME INFORMATION
Date: February 27, 2016 (7:05 p.m.)
Score: University of Connecticut 5, University of New Hampshire 4 (overtime)
New Records: UConn (11-19-4, 6-12-4) UNH (10-18-6, 4-11-6 HE)
Location: Whittemore Center (Durham, N.H.)
Attendance: 5,301 (6,501 capacity)
Goal Scorers: New Hampshire – Matias Cleland, Shane Eiserman, Maxim Gaudreault, Michael McNicholas
Connecticut – Joey Ferriss, Spencer Naas, Corey Ronan, Tage Thompson

Goaltenders: UNH - Danny Tirone (8-17-6) 27 saves (8 | 9 | 9 | 1 - 63:08)
Connecticut – Rob Nichols (9-16-2) 35 saves (11 | 13 | 10 | 1 - 63:01)

Next Game: Hockey East best-of-three quarterfinals at Merrimack (March 3, 4 & 6)

WHAT HAPPENED
UConn trailed 4-1 at the start of the third period but outscored New Hampshire 3-0 in the final frame to force overtime, where Corey Ronan's individual effort resulted in a floating backhander that sailed inside the left post to give the Huskies a 5-4 win at 3:08 of the overtime session.

Joey Ferriss (two goals) ignited the comeback with a goal at 2:40 of the third when he skated across the low slot to the left post and lifted a shot under the crossbar.

Spencer Naas' power-play goal pulled UConn within 4-3 at 10:26. Evan Richardson's initial shot from the high slot ricocheted off teammate Kasperi Ojantakanen in the slot and Naas corralled the puck low on the right side, where he deposited a shot into the open near side.

UConn pulled goaltender Rob Nichols (35 saves) with 70 seconds on the clock and Ferriss struck again seven seconds later. Joseph Masonius, with the feed in front from the right wing, and Evan Richardson, set up the game-tying goal at 18:57.

UNH took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission and extended the advantage to 3-0 early in the second stanza before UConn netted a power-play goal at 11:51 of the second period.

Michael McNicholas (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) scored off a second rebound at the right post to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead at 12:04. Nichols stopped the initial shot from the left circle by Andrew Poturalski (Williamsville, N.Y.) as well as the second shot by Tyler Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass.) at the left doorstep, but the puck continued across the crease and McNicholas banged the puck into the open cage for the power-play goal.

UNH netted a 5-on-3 power-play goal to take a 2-0 lead when a slap shot by Matias Cleland (Longmont, Colo.) from the high slot sailed through a screen and went across the goal line. McNicholas and Poturalski were credited with assists.

Shane Eiserman (Newburyport, Mass.) potted an unassisted goal to push the lead to 3-0 at 5:11 of the second period. He poke checked the puck free at center ice and charged down the slot before firing a close-range shot past Nichols.

Tage Thompson made it 3-1 on the power play at 11:51 when he blasted a one-timer from the left circle inside the near post. Masonius and Max Letunov set up the goal.

Maxim Gaudreault (Annapolis, Md.) reestablished a three-goal lead of 4-1 at 19:18 of the second stanza on a rising shot from low in the left circle. Kyle Smith (Lumberton, N.J.) and John Furgele (Glen Mills, Pa.) earned the helpers.

UNH NOTEBOOK
Saturday night marked the last home game for UNH's seniors: Jamie Regan (Chagrin Falls, Ohio), Harry Quast (Mullica Hills, N.J.), Kyle Smith (Lumberton, N.J.), Maxim Gaudreault (Annapolis, Md.), Dan Correale (Prince George, British Columbia) and Collin MacDonald (West Milford, N.J.).

PENALTIES
New Hampshire: 6 penalties - 12 minutes
Connecticut: 5 penalties - 10 minutes

SPECIAL TEAMS
New Hampshire: 2-for-5
Connecticut: 2-for-6

NEW HAMPSHIRE LEADERS
Points: Michael McNicholas (2), Andrew Poturalski (2)
Goals: Matias Cleland (1), Shane Eiserman (1), Maxim Gaudreault (1), Michael McNicholas (1)
Assists: Andrew Poturalski (2)
Shots: Tyler Kelleher (6)
Blocked Shots: Matias Cleland (3), Cameron Marks (3)

CONNECTICUT LEADERS
Points: Joey Ferriss (2), Max Kalter (2), Joseph Masonius (2)
Goals: Joey Ferriss (2)
Assists: Max Kalter (2), Joseph Masonius (2)
Shots: Joey Ferris (5)
Blocked Shots: Johnny Austin (5)

Text UNH to 90561 to sign up for Sports alerts. Message & Data Rates May Apply.1 message/text. Consent to receive a text message is not a condition of purchasing goods or services. Text HELP to 90561 for info. STOP to cancel. T&Cs & Privacy Policy is available HERE.