Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- After trailing for nearly 59 minutes, Juraj Elias scored with 1.8 seconds remaining in the 3rd period and then Ryan Kuzmich netted the game-winner in overtime as No.11 University of New England defeated Suffolk University in thrilling fashion, 2-1, in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's ice hockey action at the Harold Alfond Forum on Saturday evening (Nov. 18).

The Nor'easters spent most of the night peppering Rams netminder Kannon Flageolle, who was repeatedly up to the task. But with the extra attacker in the waning seconds of regulation, just enough chaos created a small window for Elias to find the equalizer. With extended possession in the zone, a shot by Chip Hamlett was blocked in front by Suffolk defenseman Josh Milso, but Milso could only then clear it as far as Elias at the left point. At that moment, a Nor'easter skater was cross-checked into the crease, ever so slightly bumping Flageolle towards the near post, and Elias sent a wrist shot to the far post for his third goal of the year [Watch].

That penalty went on the books and carried into OT, giving the Nor'easters a 4-on-3 advantage. With 3:44 on the clock, Garrett Devine won an offensive-zone faceoff back to Kuzmich, who immediately tapped it over to Hamlett at the top. Hamlett paused before returning it to Kuzmich and UNE's top returning point-getter from a year ago put it away, stepping into the left dot and flicking a low shot through a screen and under Flageolle [Watch].

With the weekend sweep, the Nor'easters improve to 4-2-1 overall and 4-1-1 in league play.

Flageolle finished with 56 saves for Suffolk (1-7), which drops to 0-6 in CCC outings.

Milso had put the visitors in front just 68 seconds into the match, on the power play, sniping one around a screen from the right wall that found the upper-right corner of the cage.

However, that was the only one of 16 shots that got by Joe Stanizzi, seeing his first action of the season after securing five wins in as many starts for UNE in 2022-23. Milso did have a prime look to add to the Rams' total in the middle portion of the 3rd frame, but Stanizzi flashed the leather to maintain the one-goal deficit [Watch].

The Nor'easters are back in competition next Saturday when the University of Southern Maine visits for a 7 p.m. non-conference showdown.