PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Providence College men's hockey team was defeated by the University of New Hampshire, 3-2, in overtime on Saturday night at Schneider Arena. Providence (10-13-3, 8-9-2 HE) rallied to tie the score twice, but UNH's Kevin McCarey scored 2:07 into the extra session to give his team the win.
The Wildcats (11-14-2, 8-11-1 HE) took a 1-0 lead at 2:53 of the first period after Connor Hardowa scored on a shot from right outside the face-off circle that beat Providence senior goaltender Alex Beaudry (Cumberland, Ont.) high glove side. Two minutes later, the Friars tied the score on a goal by freshman Stefan Demopoulos (La Mesa, Calif.). Classmate Ross Mauermann (Janesville, Wis.) and Demopoulos started the sequence that led to the goal with a two-on-one rush into the offensive zone and the line continued to put on pressure until Demopoulos eventually netted the goal from right outside the crease. Freshman Shane Luke (Dauphin, Man.) also assisted on the goal. UNH broke the tie with a power play goal scored by Greg Burke at 8:31 of the first period.
Just 1:16 into the third period, Demopoulos scored his second goal of the game. UNH goaltender Casey DeSmith was forced to make a save after a bad angle shot by Mauermann and Demopoulos crashed the net to score on the rebound. Like the first goal, Mauermann and Luke registered the assists. The game remained tied after regulation, but 2:07 into overtime, UNH clinched the victory on McCarey's goal. Beaudry made a strong save on the initial shot but McCarey pounced on the loose puck to notch his third goal of the season.
Providence outshot UNH, 36-28, including 14-5 in the third period. Beaudry stopped 25 shots while DeSmith made 34 saves. With the 25 saves, Beaudry set a Providence College career saves record with 2,850 stops.
The Friars play their next game on Friday, February 10 at Schneider Arena at 7:00 against Maine. UNH returns home for a game against Northeastern on Friday, February 10.