Statistics
NORTHFIELD, Vt. -- Cooper Bertrand scored midway through the extra session to provide No.10 Norwich University with a 7-6 decision against No.9 University of New England in a wild men's ice hockey season-opener at Kreitzberg Arena on Friday night (Oct. 30).
Special teams played a large role in the matchup of nationally-ranked powers, including late in the 3rd period, when the Nor'easters got a power play goal from
Drew Olivieri with 5:29 to go and then a short-handed tally from rookie defenseman
Daniel Johnson with 2:22 on the clock to knot the contest at 6-6.
UNE started the slugfest just 38 seconds into the game on a goal from
Brayden Cook. However, the Cadets responded with power play markers on their first two chances to take a 2-1 lead, before a goal from
Ryan Hadland tied things up at 2-all prior to the 1st intermission.
A third advantaged goal, in as many chances, put NU ahead at 3-2 early in the 2nd.
Dominic Murphy pulled the visitors level, but 13 ticks later, Bertrand restored the edge (4-3) for the hosts. It was back square through 40 minutes, though, as
Fernand-Olivier Perron netted a power-play score as the buzzer sounded to close the middle period.
The Nor'easters found their defensive posture on the penalty kill in the 3rd, negating all three Norwich opportunities with an extra skater. But even-strength goals from Sammy Crane (4:36) and Jake Kavanaugh (11:25) gave the Cadets the first two-goal cushion for either side.
Bertrand and Kavanaugh each had three points for the hosts, while Frank D'Ancona supplied two goals and Boyd Stahlbaum distributed four assists. Sami Molu collected 24 saves.
Olivieri and Murphy notched four points apiece for UNE, and both Johnson and Perron added assists to go with their goals.
Cam Bergeman and
Seth Murch chipped in with helpers, as well.
Harrison Chesney denied 22 shots.
UNE's six scores were the most, by two, against Norwich in 20 all-time meetings. The combined 13-goal affair was the highest scoring game UNE had been involved in since 2022-23.
The Nor'easters begin Conference of New England (CNE) play next weekend against another top-10 opponent, Endicott College. The home-and-home series concludes Saturday (7 p.m.) in Biddeford.
(updated 11/1/26)
