SHELTON, Conn. – Three goals in the third period led the Post University men's ice hockey team to an 8-6 victory over Central Connecticut, its first of the year, on Saturday night at the SportsCenter of Connecticut in Shelton, Conn.
"Being a game against an in-state team, there was a lot of emotion involved on both sides. We played very well once we settled down and just played hockey. Our skill really took over for us," said head coach
Pete Whitney.
The scoring was early and often all night as the Blue Devils struck first just 13 seconds into the game. The lead did not last long as junior
Dave Canfarotta (Stratford, Conn.) tied it 1-1 with a wrister in front of the net. Freshman
Tyler Hackett (Branford, Conn.) put the Eagles in front later in the period on a short-handed breakaway after a turnover by CCSU.
After the Blue Devils tied the game at two, freshman
Lucas Smith (Calgary, Alberta) scored his first of two goals on the night off a pass from sophomore
Peter Petrino (Derby, Conn.). Central Connecticut added another score and the game was tied 3-3 after one.
Each team added two goals in the second period as its stood 5-5. Sophomore
Ben McKenna (Torrington, Conn.) and Smith each chipped in power play goals for the Eagles.
Emotions were high in the third period as the teams combined for 49 penalty minutes in the frame. Sophomore
Blake Blundred (Grand Prairie, Texas) scored midway through the period to put the Eagles in front for good. Junior
Christopher Harris (Barnstable, Mass.) added a power play goal with 9:20 remaining.
Central Connecticut cut the deficit to 7-6 as Dylan Brown scored on a breakaway with just under six minutes left. Canfarotta scored his second with the Eagles down a man in the final minutes to put the game away.
Shots were fairly even on the night as Post held a slim 41-37 advantage. Post won 53 face offs with Canfarotta leading the way with 21 victories. Post was a season-best 4-for-7 on the power play.
Petrino dished out three assists, while Hackett and Smith added two helpers each.
The teams will square off against next Friday in Shelton at 8 p.m.
