STORRS, CONN — No. 11 ranked Northeastern has become quite accustomed to the word upset, having completed their fair share throughout a six game win streak. But, Friday night’s 4-2 loss to No. 14 UConn snapped said streak, leaving them on the wrong side of upset.
Entering Toscano Family Ice Forum, Northeastern stood atop the Hockey East Conference (3-0 record, 7-1 overall). Leaving the building, they now find themselves among the cluster of teams tied for fourth and at risk of conceding their first weekend series sweep of the season.
Throughout all 60 minutes of play, Friday was a tight contest. In fact, the opening 20 (the first period) was well in Northeastern’s favor. They outshot the home team 17-8 in the first and had plenty of grade-A chances that they just couldn’t capitalize on. If there was ever a game where the story was one team shooting themself in the foot and the other taking advantage of the shrapnel, this would be that game.
Without senior pointman Joaquim Lemay – who was absent from the bench for the final two stanzas – Northeastern’s defense broke down. That was made abundantly clear during an 11-second sequence late in the second period that gifted UConn two goals and Northeastern their third deficit of the season on the way to their second loss.
The first came off the stick of Ethan Gardula just seconds after UConn’s second powerplay of the period expired, with Lemay — arguably their best penalty killer — on the bench. The second, potted by Jake Percival, his first of the season, was created off a poor Jack Henry turnover in transition that sprung an unstoppable UConn 3-on-1. Needless to say, the lack of Lemay in the lineup was detrimental.
Although assumed to be an injury, the reason for Lemay’s departure and his status going forward is unknown. Northeastern did not conduct a press conference following the loss.
Northeastern did make it interesting in the third period, working to tie the score at two with goals from freshmen Dylan Compton and Jack Pechar, both of whom scored their first collegiate goals. But, the comeback was short-lived as just 26 seconds later Percival, again, found the back of the net. He’d complete the hat-trick in the game’s waning seconds, shelving the sealing empty netter to make it 4-2.
So, it’s back to the drawing board for Northeastern. Not to say that all the momentum and national recognition they’ve built over the last few weeks is gone, but after an underwhelming series with Stonehill last weekend and now at risk of being swept by UConn, their national standing is at least in jeopardy.
With the loss Northeastern falls to a record of 7-2 overall and 3-1 in Hockey East (tied for fourth place). UConn improves to 5-4-2 overall and 3-2-1 in the conference (tied for first). Catch game two of the weekend series with UConn, Saturday, Nov. 15, at 7:30. Luke Graham, Max Schwartzberg, and Armaan Vij will have the game live on WRBB Sports.
Luke Graham is the Digital Content Manager for WRBB Sports. He has covered Northeastern hockey and baseball with WRBB both on-air and in print for three years. Read all his articles here, and follow him on X here.