BOSTON, MA – Despite 34 shots on goal in a vastly improved 60-minute effort, Northeastern was blanked by senior goaltender Hayden Hawkey and the #14 Providence Friars.
Head Coach Jim Madigan moved a few pieces around the line sheet coming into Saturday night’s tilt including dropping junior forward Grant Jozefek to the extra forward slot. Freshman forward Matt Thomson and sophomore forward Eetu Selanne also dressed, lining up with junior forward John Picking to form a few fourth line.
Scoring began at at 11:57 of the first period when netted a power play goal, the fourth of the season for freshman forward Tyce Thompson. The one goal would prove to be enough as Hawkey stood stalwart in net to earn his fifth shutout of the season.
Almost two minutes into the second period, senior defenseman Vincent Desharnais ripped a shot from the blue line that snuck its way past sophomore goaltender Cayden Primeau.
Despite Northeastern’s multitude of attempts to mount a comeback, Providence would be the only team to score in the third period. Junior forward Josh Wilkins fed junior defenseman Spenser Young with a cross-crease feed that Primeau would be able to save. The puck pinballed around to his stick side where freshman forward Jack Dugan was waiting to slam the puck home and ice the game.
Northeastern was not without their fair share of scoring chances. In addition to the two power plays the Huskies had, senior forward Lincoln Griffin almost made it 1-0 Northeastern early in the first when he batted a loose puck past a sprawling Hayden Hawkey. Desharnais was able to skate back and scoop the puck out of the crease moments before it crossed the goal line.
The Huskies will be back in action on Friday when they host the UMass Lowell Riverhawks at 7pm in Historic Matthews Arena.