UConn hasn’t been having the greatest of hockey seasons, but they defeated last season’s NCAA champions in Union at the Frozen Holiday Classic.
Saturday’s matchup in Bridgeport, Conn., was a close one, but the Huskies took the 3-2 win over the Dutchmen, who fell off the top 20 rankings in the last USCHO.com poll.
UConn (4-8-4) opened the scoring 16:35 into the first period with a goal from junior forward Patrick Kirtland, but it didn’t hold on to the lead for very long. Daniel Ciampini scored for Union on a power play just 2:28 into the next frame, and Mike Vecchione netted the go-ahead goal for the Dutchmen (9-7-1) a minute later.
But it was all Huskies from there on out.
Senior forward Cody Sharib scored the equalizer at the end of the second period. Freshman Spencer Naas put in the game-winner midway through the final frame, and the Huskies were able to hold Union off from there.
UConn goaltender Rob Nichols had 37 saves in the win.
The Huskies advance to the tournament’s championship Sunday, when they’ll meet fellow Hockey East member UMass-Lowell at 3 p.m.
Around the League
UMass-Lowell 5, Sacred Heart 1: The No. 9 River Hawks (11-3-3) handled the Pioneers (5-10-2) in a lopsided win during their Frozen Holiday Classic matchup. Freshman forward C.J. Smith scored twice for UMass-Lowell, which outshot Sacred Heart 46-22. Pioneers goaltender Alex Vazzano had 41 saves in the loss.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@hartfordcourant
