Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Andrew Kurapov netted a breakaway goal midway through overtime to lift Endicott College over No.10 University of New England, 4-3, in Conference of New England (CNE) men's ice hockey action Friday night (Nov. 15) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

Jack Costanzo caught the Nor'easters in a long line change during the 3-on-3 extra period, sending a pass from the top of his defensive zone up to Kurapov waiting at the offensive blue line, and Kurapov skating in alone to fake forehand and flip a backhand over UNE goalie Joey Stanizzi for the deciding tally.

The last six meetings between the Gulls (2-2, 2-1 CNE) and Nor'easters (3-1, 2-1 CNE) -- and now 11 out of 23 in the full series -- have needed more than regulation time to settle on a result.

It was the second goal of the evening for Kurapov, who broke the ice just 2:02 into the contest on an EC power play. Entering the night, out of the 77 Division III institutions that had already competed this season, UNE was the only squad yet to concede a goal. The hosts had also killed off all 10 of their penalties on the young year.

The Nor'easters had things level (1-1) with just over five minute to go in the 1st period, as Jayden Price converted a steal and feed from Cam Bergeman. [Watch]

Tyler Gaulin gave Endicott the lead back at the 3:19 mark of the 2nd, and then with a man-advantage and 12:38 on the clock, Gaulin collected a hard rebound off the end wall and stuffed in his second at the left post for a 3-1 edge.

UNE struck right back just 39 seconds later, though, as Dominic Murphy went streaking up the right side and picked the top-left corner for his team-leading fifth goal of the year [Watch]. Drew Olivieri and David Wilcox assisted on the play. The goal makes Murphy the first player in program history to score in his first four appearances of a year, and the 11th over the last decade with goals in at least four consecutive games.

The Gulls almost had a 3-2 cushion at the 2nd intermission, however, Anthony Sciucco spoiled that idea with a shorthanded, breakaway score with 4.8 seconds showing on the board [Watch]. Chip Hamlett registered an assist on the goal, which was Sciucco's second straight game with a shorty.

The teams played the entirety of the 3rd frame locked at 3-all; the Nor'easters fired off 22 shot attempts and had the better of the scoring moments, but either whistled chances just wide or had them stopped by EC netminder Ryan Wilson.

Wilson finished with 24 saves for the visitors, while Stanizzi denied 37 on the UNE end. The hosts also received a strong defensive effort from Jacob Pellerin, who blocked six shots.

On Saturday afternoon, the Nor'easters will visit Endicott to complete the home-and-home weekend series.