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PLYMOUTH, N.H. -- After two scoreless periods, Ryan Kuzmich netted the deciding tally with 12:22 remaining and Billy Girard IV finished off a 28-save shutout as the University of New England triumphed over Plymouth State University, 2-0, in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey Championship on Saturday night (Mar. 11) at Hanaway Rink.

The Nor'easters (20-6-2) advance to a third national quarterfinal in four NCAA trips and will head for a familiar foe in Utica University next Saturday [Interactive Bracket]. Last season, in the same round, UNE blanked the Pioneers to reach the semifinals for the first time in program history.

The opening-round duel between UNE and PSU was a rematch of 2022, when the Nor'easters clipped the Panthers in double overtime (3-2). The 2023 showdown was just as tight, and high-quality scoring chances were limited on both ends for much of the contest. The visitors threatened with a few attempts along the way, while the hosts had the edge in quantity of shots-on-goal.

UNE killed off late penalties in the 1st and 2nd periods to keep things level, and then got its first opportunity with the man-advantage in the waning moments of the middle frame. It carried over into the 3rd and the visitors were able to put a couple solid shots on target, but couldn't break through.

A second power-play in the early minutes of the final stanza didn't amount to anything, but seconds after returning to even-strength -- and a Girard save -- the Nor'easters got the goal they needed. Alex Sheehy picked up the rebound to start out of the defensive zone and hit Jake Fuss racing up the right boards. Fuss eluded a defender and held possession all the way around the back of the net, waiting for a passing target, and soon enough, Kuzmich arrived to tap a perfect feed through the crease into the empty right side of the cage [Watch]. For Kuzmich, it was his 15th goal of the season; the assists were the team-leading 21st for Fuss, and 14th out of Sheehy.

The Panthers kicked it up a gear down the stretch and had a flurry of looks before and after pulling their goalie, but the home team could not solve Girard and the UNE defense. Girard had 10 stops in the 3rd to post his third shutout and improve to 15-6-2. The squad also totaled 17 blocked shots that didn't reach the goalie, including two apiece from Sheehy, Chad Merrell, Chip Hamlett, and Noah Szretter.

The Nor'easters got a bit of relief from the pressure in the form of an empty-net goal with 22 ticks left off the stick of Merrell -- his first of the season. Anthony Sciucco and Logan DiScanio set up the insurance marker exiting the zone. [Watch]

It was just the second time all season that UNE won a game scoring less than three goals. Plymouth State netminder Brendahn Brawley was a factor in that aspect, putting up 23 saves.

The Panthers were kept off the scoreboard for the first time during their record-setting campaign, resulting in the end of their 19-game winning streak. It was also the first setback in Hanaway Rink for PSU, which concludes with a 23-4-1 ledger.