UConn defeated Alabama Huntsville in the season home opener 4-0 on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2016 at the XL Center in Hartford. The Huskies swept Alabama 10-0 with a combined score for the weekend. Take Thompson (29) scored one goal in the first period. Evan Richardson (19) scored one goal in the third period. Spencer Naas (8) scored two goals, one in the first period and one in the third. (Amar Batra/ The Daily Campus)
Coming off their first loss of the season the UConn men’s hockey team (2-1-2) will be looking to bounce back when they take on American International College (0-1-0) on Friday night.
The Huskies are on an 18-game win streak against their former Atlantic Hockey foes, holding a record of 15-0-3 that stretches back to the 2007-2008 season.
Earlier this week the Huskies lost to in-state rivals Quinnipiac 5-2. After falling down 2-0 early the Huskies could not bounce back.
The Yellow Jackets are also coming off a loss in their season opener. AIC fell to Union last week in a close one, losing 5-4. AIC was able to rally back three times during the game but could not mount a full comeback. All four of AIC’s goals were scored by freshman. Dominik Florian tallied a brace in his first collegiate game. Janis Jaks and Blake Christensen also chipped in one goal apiece.
Despite letting in five earlier this week, the Huskies are allowing 2.00 goals per game and will be looking to stop Florican and company. This mark places UConn atop Hockey East and ranks seventh nationally.
Senior goaltender Rob Nichols has a 1.30 goals against average this season in the three games he’s played this season. Despite this, freshman Adam Huska has started the last two games and has averaged 2.88 goals allowed per game. It will be interesting to see if coach Mike Cavanaugh starts his senior netminder or his highly touted recruit.
UConn will be without star Maxim Letunov on Friday night. Letunov was assessed a five-minute major and disqualification for boarding against Quinnipiac.
Without Letunov, the Huskies will be even more reliant on leading scorer Tage Thompson. The sophomore leads the team with six points on four goals and two assists.
Evan Richardson will be another player to look out for. The senior forward is enjoying somewhat of a breakout year. Richardson has already tied his goal tally from last season this year with three scores.
Next week, the Huskies will travel to Indiana to take on Notre Dame.
Antonio Salazar is a staff writer for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at antonio.salazr@uconn.edu.