HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Senior Matt Germain (Rockland, Mass.) recorded one goal and a career-high three assists to propel the Providence College men's hockey team to a 4-2 victory over Alabama-Huntsville Saturday night at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Ala. Providence (5-4-2, 3-2-2 Hockey East) extended its unbeaten streak to six games, the longest such streak since the 2005-06 season. Alabama-Huntsville is now 1-10-1.
Providence controlled the first period as it outshot Alabama-Huntsville, 12-4, and led 1-0 after the first 20 minutes. Germain skated on the fore check in the UAH zone and he was able to poke the puck away from a defender into the right-wing corner. Junior Matt Bergland (Faribault, Minn.) then gained possession of the puck before sliding a pass to the slot to Germain who beat Clarke Saunders over his right shoulder with a wrist shot. It marked Germain's third goal of the season.
The Friars scored two goals in the first 6:12 of the second period to increase their lead to 3-0. Skating on a four-on-four situation, Germain fired a shot from the right circle that was saved by Saunders. However, the rebound was loose in front and senior Eric Baier (North Kingstown, R.I.) skated hard to the net before using the back hand to tap the puck into the net for his first goal of the season. Just 2:18 later, Germain also was involved in PC's third goal while the Friars were shorthanded. Germain stole the puck at the UAH blue line and made a cross ice pass to sophomore Tim Schaller (Merrimack, N.H.), who skated to the slot before firing a high back hander into the net. It marked the first Providence short-handed goal since October 25, 2008.
The Chargers cut the lead to 3-1 at 8:32 when Keenan Desmet blocked a shot in the UAH zone, skated into the PC zone before firing a shot from the top of the right circle that eluded PC junior goalie Alex Beaudry (Cumberland, Ontario). The Friars sealed the win with 6:18 left in the third period when Bergland scored his second goal of the season to make the score, 4-1. Germain and sophomore Tyler Landman (Roseau, Minn.) also assisted on the goal. Matt Baxter scored a power-play goal with three seconds left in the game to complete the scoring.
Beaudry finished with 24 saves to earn his fourth win of the season, while Saunders stopped 28 shots.
The Friars are back in action on Friday, November 19 when they host Northeastern at Schneider Arena. The Chargers won't play again until the Rensselaer Holiday Tournament beginning on Friday, November 26.