By Gordon Weigers, news correspondent
The Northeastern Huskies had a strong weekend in Burlington, defeating the 15-6-2 University of Vermont (UVM) Catamounts 4-1 on Friday, and battling their way to a 2-2 tie on Saturday.
Junior forward Kevin Roy opened the scoring early for Northeastern on Friday night, blowing a wrist shot by the glove of UVM’s star sophomore goalie Mike Santaguida. The goal came at 2:25 of the first period and was the Huskies’ first shot of the game.
UVM would tie the score later in the period as senior defenseman Mike Paliotta blasted a one-timer in from the point. The drive from Paliotta would be the only shot to get past redshirt sophomore goalie Derick Roy all night.
Just past the midway point of the second period, redshirt senior forward Torin Snydeman broke in behind the Catamounts’ defense before snapping a shot just under the cross-bar. Snydeman’s fifth goal of the season was assisted by sophomore forward Mike Szmatula. The line of Snydeman, Szmatula and sophomore forward Zach Aston-Reese has been a force for the Huskies as of late.
“They’re really hard on pucks,” Head Coach Jim Madigan said. “I think we have two top lines that can really go at it.”
Junior forward Mike McMurtry gave the Huskies the 3-1 lead early in the third period. McMurtry finished off a give-and-go play with sophomore forward Dalen Hedges to provide some insurance for Northeastern. Szmatula added a fourth goal for the Huskies with assists from sophomore defenseman Jake Schechter and Snydeman. Derick Roy was solid for the Huskies, making 23 saves in the win.
Derick Roy was given his second straight start on Saturday night as the Huskies and Catamounts collided again. This time it was UVM striking first as sophomore forward Brady Shaw buried the rebound of the Paliotta shot on the power play. Ten minutes later, sophomore defenseman Matt Benning fired a wrist shot that got redirected in front by McMurtry for the equalizer.
UVM would reclaim the lead on a deflection goal by senior forward Colin Markison, again off a Paliotta slap shot. Late in the second period, the Huskies would again even the score. This time, Kevin Roy sped through the UVM defense before shoving a backhand shot under the cross bar for a goal.
No goals were scored in the third period and overtime ensued. Neither team would find the net in the extra frame, resulting in a tie.
“It was a hard fought six periods of hockey against a good team,” Madigan said.
Redshirt senior goalie Clay Witt was named a candidate for the 2015 Senior Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School (CLASS) award on Wednesday. He is one of 20 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 seniors in the running.
The Huskies are now 8-11-4 and will look ahead to two home games against the University of Notre Dame. Notre Dame holds a 10-11-3 record and is coming off of a 6-1 win on the road against the University of Connecticut.
Photo courtesy Jim Pierce, Northeastern Athletics
