The University of Connecticut men’s hockey team came out on top after a back-and-forth scoring battle with Providence on Friday night but failed to carry this momentum into Saturday’s match. The Huskies split the series against the No. 8 Friars after taking home a 6-5 victory on Friday and falling 8-1 on Saturday.
After a scoreless first period Friday, the second period provided an offensive battle, with both teams combining for seven goals. The game remained close through the third period, but Jeremy Loranger’s second goal of the night allowed UConn to earn the 6-5 win.
Goaltender Kam Hendrickson remained strong in net as he faced consistent pressure from the Friars’ offense in the first period. Providence generated several scoring attempts, but Hendrickson made the necessary stops to keep the game scoreless.
The Huskies also were on the penalty kill three times during the first. Freshman defenseman Will McIssac earned the first penalty of the night for interference followed quickly by two other penalties from his teammates to give Providence power-play opportunities. However, UConn’s penalty kill stayed strong, preventing the Friars from scoring each time.
Captain Joey Muldowney opened the scoring in the second period after converting a penalty shot to net his fifth goal of the season. However, Providence responded less than a minute later to tie the game.
The Huskies were able to regain the lead on the power play shortly after with Lorganger’s first goal of the night and Muldowney increased UConn’s lead 3-1 just three minutes later. Providence quickly erased their two-goal deficit netting nearly back-to-back goals to tie the game once again.
It was junior forward Kaden Shahan who gave UConn their third lead of the night 12 minutes into the second, scoring his sixth goal of the season. The Huskies were unable to carry this lead into the third as the Friars tied the game to make it 4-4 heading into the third period.
It was another back and forth scoring period in the third when Providence struck first to take their first lead of the game, but junior forward Ethan Witcomb responded just 15 seconds later to tie the game 5-5.
Providence freshman Ryder Cali earned a penalty late in the third that UConn was able to capitalize on as Loranger scored his second goal of the night to give the Huskies a 6-5 lead with just minutes remaining in the third.
The Friars pulled goaltender Jack Parsons in an attempt to tie the game, but Hendrickson and UConn’s defense remained strong to preserve the one-goal victory.
Despite being outshot 38-25, UConn’s offense was able to capitalize on its opportunities, to secure the win. The Huskies hoped to carry this momentum into Saturday’s rematch, looking to build on Friday’s 6-5 victory and complete the two-game sweep.
However, Providence responded in Saturday’s loss, defeating the Huskies 8-1.
The Friars took control just a minute into the first period when junior forward Logan Sawyer netted the first goal of the game. Three minutes later, junior Will Elger doubled the lead for the Friars to bring the score to 2-0. Providence added two more goals before closing out the first, including Sawyer, who netted his second goal of the game.
After the fourth goal, Hendrickson was replaced in net with Veeti Louhivaara who closed out the first period without allowing any more goals. UConn entered the second period down four goals in hopes of finding the back of the net to cut the deficit.
However, it was Providence yet again who gained puck control and earned a 5-0 lead early in the second. Freshman Cole Davis finally got the Huskies on the board late in the second, getting the first goal of the game and the first of his career.
The goal failed to spark momentum for the Huskies who struggled to keep the puck on their sticks and stay in the Friars’ zone. In the third, Providence added another three goals to their lead to take home an 8-1 win over the Huskies.
The Friars finished with a 39-24 advantage in shots on goal while also winning 38 of 65 faceoffs. UConn went 0-4 on the power play while Providence was able to score on two of its five opportunities.
The Huskies (4-5-1) will look to get back in the winning column against fellow Hockey East opponent Northeastern University next weekend. The first game is set for Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at Toscano Family Ice Forum while Saturday’s game will be held at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford with puck drop scheduled for 3 p.m.