Vermont 1, UMass-Lowell 1 (OT)
After earning points in just four Hockey East games last season, the Catamounts showed some flair for the dramatic in their first of the new season, evening the score at 11:17 of the third period and salvaging a tie on the road against No. 6 UMass-Lowell at the Tsongas Center. Things started fast for the River Hawks as they took a lead at 17:28 of the opening stanza as junior Josh Holmstrom beat UVM freshman Brady Huffman for the lone goal he allowed in his first action as a Catamount. The rookie from Wilkie, Sask., who pitched a shutout in 32:09 of playing time in last Saturday's win over Concordia, was very strong in the draw as he made 38 saves, including 15 on as many shots in a scoreless second period. He was rewarded with a point for his efforts as sophomore Colin Markison posted his first goal in five games, taking the assist from junior Matt White and beating Doug Carr (28 saves) for his lone blemish in the contest. With a point in their hands, UVM has a full weekend off before returning to action on Oct. 26 at Merrimack. The River Hawks hit the road west next weekend for a pair of games against Denver and Colorado College, before a big weekend series with Boston College in a couple weeks.
Providence 8, Sacred Heart 2
Using a very balanced offensive effort that used all four offensive lines in a big way, the Friars posted their fourth opening night victory in as many years at Schneider Arena. Highly touted rookie forward Mark Jankowski, a Calgary Flames draft pick, posted a pair of goals on the top-line left wing position, joining 12 other teammates to crack the scoresheet for PC. In his first-collegiate outing, freshman Jon Gillies posted 14 saves in two shutout periods, while senior Russ Stein made ten stops on 12 shots in the final stanza. Additionally, senior captain Kyle Murphy posted his first-collegiate goal at the 19:37 mark of the third period to close the scoring for the host Friars. Eric Delong and Drew George would not send the Pioneers out without any offense as each tallied a goal in the third period of the defeat. The Friars return to the ice quickly, taking on Boston University on Saturday at Agganis Arena.
New Hampshire 5, St. Cloud State 3
The Whittemore Center crowd was treated well as the host Wildcats gave coach Dick Umile his 500th-career win in the two-goal victory to open the home schedule against visiting St. Cloud State. Junior Dalton Speelman picked up some of the offense lost by three departing lettermen, scoring twice in the third period to go along with an assist for UNH. He ended a power play with his tally from sophomore Grayson Downing at the 0:31 mark, while netting the game-winner past Ryan Faragher (34 saves) a little later at 3:10. After pacing the 'Cats defense last season, sophomore Trevor van Reimsdyk anchored the back line again in the opening contest, scoring a goal and posting the game-winning assist on Speelman's second goal. Sophomore Casey DeSmith saw just 23 shots and stopped an even 20 to open the season on the right note, heading into Saturday's series finale with a sweep of the Huskies at stake. With the win, Umile becomes just the 12th coach in Division I history to win 500 games - the eighth to turn the feat at the helm of a single program.
Massachusetts 4, Connecticut 1
In front of a record-setting crowd of 7,123 on opening night at Mullins Center, the John Micheletto era got off to a strong start as junior Branden Gracel and sophomore Steven Guzzo paced the Mass Attack past rival UConn. Sophomore stopper Kevin Boyle earned the win between the posts, turning aside 24 shots in the ninth victory of his career. Junior Colin Shea and senior Darren Rowe also found the back of Garrett Bartus' net for their first points of the season. Bartus, one of Atlantic Hockey's top netminders, posted 35 saves, while rookie Tyler Helton scored the lone Husky goal past Boyle. UMass will have to wait a week before its next test, which takes place against rival Boston College next Friday.
Notre Dame 1, Maine 0
At Kansas City's Sprint Center, junior Steven Summerhays pitched a 22-save shutout of the Black Bears and his classmate T.J. Tynan scored the only goal of the contest with 17:01 to play as the Irish advanced to the Championship of the 16th annual IceBreaker Tournament at Sprint Center. Maine junior Dan Sullivan stopped 33 shots in between the pipes but it was not enough for the win. Senior defenseman Mark Nemec led the Bears attack with four shots on goal. Hockey East representatives had enjoyed some great success in the tournament, having won in nine times in its first 15 years. Maine faces the loser of the Army/Nebraska-Omaha game in Saturday's consolation game at 4:30 p.m.
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