Wildcats Defeat U.S. Under-18 Team, 6-2, in Exhibition

Saturday, December 14

Durham, N.H.

7:30 PM

University of New Hampshire

7-4-3

U.S. Under-18 Team (Exhibition)

0-0-0

U.S. Under-18 Team

New Hampshire

Cy LeClerc recorded a hat trick tonight

Photo by: Alex Miller

12/14/2024 11:03:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey

Box Score

Cy LeClerc posted a hat trick for UNH

DURHAM N.H. – Junior forward Cy LeClerc (Brentwood, N.H.) recorded three goals as the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team defeated the U.S. Under-18 Team, 6-2, on Saturday evening in an exhibition game at the Whittemore Center at Key Auto Group Complex. With UNH trailing 2-0 after the first period, the Wildcats scored six straight goals for the 6-2 win.

Freshman forward Ryan MacPherson (Windsor, Ontario) had a multiple point game with one goal and one assist, while senior assistant captain Connor Sweeney (North Andover, Mass.) and sophomore forward Marty Lavins (Riga, Latvia) both recorded a goal. Senior goalie Rico DiMatteo (Brasher Falls, N.Y.) recorded 20 saves on the night.

UNH is now 5-0-1 all-time versus the U.S. Under-18 Team.

Up Next

The Wildcats return to action at RPI on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 3 p.m. The next home game for UNH is versus UConn on Friday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m.
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: UNH 6, U.S. Under-18 Team 2
Location: Durham, N.H. (Whittemore Center at Key Auto Group Complex)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024
Attendance: 3,441

BOXSCORE

How It Happened

Team USA took a 1-0 lead at 7:55 in the first period when Cole McKinney went on a breakaway and sent a shot from the slot to the lower stick side of the net.
At 11:49, Richard Gallant found the back of the net with a pass from across the crease from McKinney to make it 2-0.
Sweeney scored the first Wildcat goal at 3:04 of the second period when he went one-on-one with the goalie and lifted the puck to the upper glove side corner of the net. Freshman forward Connor MacPherson (Windsor, Ontario) posted an assist.

Connor Sweeney puts us on the board!

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— UNH Men's Hockey (@UNHMHOCKEY) December 15, 2024

With the puck behind the net, Ryan MacPherson threw it out in front to LeClerc who knocked the puck in the back of the net at 7:11 to tie the game at 2-2.

Cy LeClerc ties the game!

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— UNH Men's Hockey (@UNHMHOCKEY) December 15, 2024

Just 42 seconds later Ryan MacPherson tallied another point with a one timer from the slot with sophomore defenseman Brendan Fitzgerald (North Reading, Mass.) gaining an assist to make the score 3-2.

Ryan MacPherson with the go ahead goal as UNH now has three goals all within the last five minutes!

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— UNH Men's Hockey (@UNHMHOCKEY) December 15, 2024

LeClerc posted his second goal of the night just 59 seconds after the opening faceoff of the third period with senior captain Alex Gagne (Bedford, N.H.) and senior assistant captain Nikolai Jenson (Cold Spring, Minn.) recording assists.

Cy LeClerc scores his second of the game as the Wildcats extend their lead to 4-2!

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— UNH Men's Hockey (@UNHMHOCKEY) December 15, 2024

At 2:39, Lavins blasted a one timer from the top of the slot to extend the lead to 5-2 in the third period. Senior forward Robert Cronin (Plymouth, Mass.) tallied an assist.

Marty Lavins scores the fifth straight goal for the Wildcats!

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— UNH Men's Hockey (@UNHMHOCKEY) December 15, 2024

The Wildcats scored the last goal of the game when LeClerc found the back of the net for the third time. Sophomore forward Ryan Conmy (Alexandria, Va.) and sophomore defenseman Zach Hahn (Huntington, N.Y.) both earned assists.

Cy LeClerc scores a hat-trick as the Wildcats lead 6-2!

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— UNH Men's Hockey (@UNHMHOCKEY) December 15, 2024

Inside The Numbers

UNH outshot Team USA, 42-25.
The Wildcats went 0-3 on the power play and Team USA went 0-2.
DiMatteo tallied 20 saves and allowed two goals, and senior goalie Raphael Gaughan (Somersworth, N.H.) made three saves. Joey Slavick posted 36 saves and allowed six goals.