Jacob Oshinsky/WRBB Sports

STORRS, Conn. – In an intense back-and-forth matchup, Northeastern secured a dramatic overtime victory against UConn, winning 4-3 in a thriller Saturday night at Toscano Family Forum.

The first period saw a similar theme as recent games between these teams, with each side generating scoring opportunities but struggling to find the back of the net. Northeastern defender Jules Constantinople had the best chance of the period just 52 seconds into the frame, hitting the pipe with a shot. 

Throughout the period, both teams exchanged shots, but neither managed to break the deadlock. Offensive pressure continued, but both sides’ defense, highlighted by star goaltenders Lisa Jönsson and Tia Chan, kept each side from capitalizing on their opportunities. 

Just 6:23 into the second, Northeastern broke the deadlock. Senior Skylar Irving deflected a blue line shot from Lily Yovetich to catch Chan by surprise, giving Northeastern the 1-0 lead.

The Huskies controlled play for the majority of the second period but with 3:09 left in the frame, UConn captain Jada Habisch scored for UConn, set up by a perfect breakout pass from Riley Grimley. 

The second period continued with more end-to-end chances, but neither team could break the tie. UConn had a few power play opportunities, including a penalty on freshman defender Tuva Kandell for holding at 17:50. However, they couldn’t capitalize on the extra skater, with several shots blocked by Northeastern’s defense, and Jönsson standing tall in goal.

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What was shaping up to be another low score affair between these two teams took a dramatic turn heading into the third period.

The final period began with both teams determined to find a decisive goal. It initially appeared to be Northeastern taking the 2-1 lead off a goal from Morgan Jackson. However, fellow freshman Éloïse Caron was called for tripping, removing the goal and putting UConn on the power play.

Then it was UConn that struck first in the period, taking the lead 5:18 into the period. Defender Ava Rinker gave UConn the 2-1 advantage with the power-play score.

With control of the lead the momentum appeared to swing in UConn’s favor. However, Northeastern didn’t back down, and just two minutes later, 7:53 into the third, Lily Shannon scored to tie the game at 2-2. 

The offensive display continued for Northeastern’s top line as just two minutes later they regained the lead with a goal from graduate student Jaden Bogden, off a perfect centering feed by Shannon to make it 3-2. 

With 7:36 left in the third, Northeastern’s Holly Abela was assessed with a two minute minor for roughing. However, after extensive review from the officials, the junior was given a five minute major for contact to the head, in addition to her minor for roughing, finalizing Northeastern’s penalty minute total at 23.

“We were told the video they had was blurry and the reason they made the call is because the player’s head snapped back,” said Northeastern associate head coach Nick Carpenito on the major penalty decision. “That’s the explanation we were given and it is what it is.”

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This completely swung the momentum in favor of UConn giving them the 5-on-3 power-play advantage. Just 17 seconds into the advantage Habisch connected for her second goal of the night, leveling the game at 3-3. 

“It kind of just is what it is, right?” Carpenito said.  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody go back on a call they’ve made. We’re not going to expect that anytime soon and I mean at the end of the day, the officials, their job is not easy, you know, so it certainly doesn’t help us to get all over them, especially because we’re probably going to see them down the road too. So it’s just something you [have] to deal with, and hope your penalty kill gets you the opportunity on the other side of it.”

Northeastern’s top penalty kill unit successfully survived the rest of the major penalty and with 2:14 left to play both teams scrambled for the winning goal, but neither could break through, as the game headed to overtime.

However, just moments before the start of the overtime period Northeastern issued a challenge for a missed major penalty near the end of the regulation. 

After another lengthy review, Northeastern’s challenge was ruled successful as UConn’s Kyla Josifovic was handed a five minute major for hitting from behind.

“Sean, our video coordinator upstairs, said, ‘Hey, you might want to review this.’ He was very confident that a call was missed.” Carpenito said.

After further discussion from the officials it was ruled that the overtime period wouldn’t start and instead 32 seconds would be placed back on the clock in the third period giving Northeastern the chance to take another three points from UConn.

The Boston Huskies were unable to convert despite multiple high quality chances from Caron in the final 32 seconds, sending the game to overtime for a second time with 4:28 still remaining on the major penalty. 

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Northeastern’s power-play was in full force to start the extra period and just 1:05 into the frame Kandell buried a snap shot in the net giving Northeastern the hard fought 4-3 win.

This crucial win completed the season sweep against UConn, making it even more significant following the disappointing loss in the 2024 Hockey East Championship.

Northeastern’s win over UConn secured them two more valuable Hockey East points, propelling them into third place over Boston College.

Northeastern will be back home at Matthews Arena on Tuesday as they go to battle against cross town rival BU. Zeno Minotti, Emma Sullivan, and Luke Graham will have the call on WRBB Sports+. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.