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BIDDEFORD, Maine – Austin Morgan scored 4:10 into the second overtime period to lift the #8 University of New England men's ice hockey team over #15 Plymouth State University, 3-2, in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Championship at the Harold Alfond Forum on Saturday night (Mar. 12).
 
The Nor'easters (22-3-1) advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the second time in program history, and will travel to #2 Utica University next Saturday. The Pioneers earned a bye through the opening weekend and sit at 25-2-1 this season. [Interactive Bracket]
 
Morgan carried the puck from the opposite blue line, past two defenders up the right side, and beat Panther goaltender Kalle Andersson five-hole to give UNE its second consecutive overtime victory. [Watch / Alternate Angle]
 
Plymouth State controlled the puck from the opening whistle and outshot UNE 10-2 while building a 2-0 lead in the first 8:15 of play. Both tallies came in transition, streaking up the right side, with shots from the circle. Mike McPherson scored the first goal at the 13:24 mark of the period. Then Jacob Laurin quieted the crowd even more with the Panthers' second goal 99 seconds later.
 
The Nor'easters grabbed one back early in the second period as Aaron Aragon redirected in a shot from the point by Chris Jones [Watch]. Daniel Winslow also added an assist on the power play goal, and UNE trailed 2-1 after two periods.
 
Early in the third period, the nation's 7th-rated penalty kill survived a five-minute PSU power play, with seven shots-on-goal, to keep the deficit at just one. Collin Heinold then tied the game for the Nor'easters moments later (12:30 remaining), from in front of the Panther bench, getting the puck through a screen and past Andersson. [Watch]

Following the trying goal, the momentum stayed on the UNE side for the remainder of the game, as shots were 22-8 the rest of the way. Andersson, who finished with 44 saves, was stellar in net to keep the Panthers in the game despite the shot margin.

It was the ninth come-from-behind victory this season for the Nor'easters, the fourth triumph when trailing entering the final period of regulation, and third overcoming a two-goal deficit for a result. UNE is 3-0-1 in contests going beyond 60 minutes.
 
Overall, the Nor'easters held a 47-36 advantage in shots on the night. Billy Girard IV finished with 34 saves in the victory.
 
The team-record 22nd win is also the 12th in-a-row for the UNE, the longest streak in program history.

Plymouth State wraps the year with a 19-6-2 record.
 
Puck drops for the quarterfinal round (March 19) at the Utica Memorial Auditorium at 2 p.m.