UNH Hockey Finds Rhythm In Opening Series Win vs. Maine
The University of New Hampshire men's hockey team found its rhythm as it took three of a possible four points in a series win over rival Maine this weekend.
The two teams fought to a 1-1 tie on Friday before the Wildcats broke through to a 6-2 win on Saturday at Whittemore Center. The Black Bears (0-1-1) earned the extra point in the Hockey East standings in Friday's game via shootout, which is part of a new format this season. Still, UNH (1-0-1) earned three points on the weekend compared to Maine's two.
Junior forward Angus Crookshannk scored twice in Saturday's decisive win, and Hampstead native Cam Gendron also scored.
"Coming off the pause I'm very proud of the way our team competed," UNH head coach Mike Souza said after Saturday's game. "We got contributions from a lot of players this weekend. Great leadership, a hard-fought weekend."
Sophomore defenseman Kalle Eriksson scored his first collegiate goal in the Wildcats' lone goal in Friday's game.
The Wildcats had their first four games of the season (two apiece vs. Boston College and UMass) postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests within the UNH program. It is unclear when or if those games will be made up.
"I'm proud of the players and all the people who worked behind the scenes to get us going," Souza said. "The shootout loss was a weird first-time experience. I thought we played solid hockey all weekend long."
UNH will host Merrimack on December 19 at 6 p.m. at the Whittemore Center on NESN+ and College SportsLive. The two teams will play again the following day, although that contest is not set to be televised.
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