Junior forward Matt Filipe had a goal and an assist for the Huskies
Northeastern Notches 4-1 Win Over Vermont
Junior forwards Matt Filipe and John Picking each had a goal and an assist for the Huskies

BOSTON - With the score tied at one through two periods, the No. 14 Northeastern men's hockey team (18-9-1, 10-7-1) erupted for three goals in the third period to down Vermont (12-15-2, 5-12-2) on Friday night at Matthews Arena, 4-1.

The win gives Northeastern at least 18 victories in a season for the fourth straight season, the first time that's happened in team history. The Huskies are now tied with Boston College for fourth place in the Hockey East standings, one point behind Providence for third.

Cayden Primeau was the difference yet again for Northeastern, steering aside 32-of-33 shots to mark the seventh time this season the sophomore has stopped at least 30 shots in a game. Primeau was especially immense in the opening frame, making 16 saves to help the Huskies weather an early surge from the Catamounts.

Three Huskies recorded multi-point efforts on the night, paced by a season-high three points from junior Matt Filipe (one goal, two assists). John Picking contributed a goal and an assist in his first game back since Jan. 26, while Biagio Lerario added two helpers.

Vermont struck first seven minutes into the second period when the Catamounts transitioned through the neutral zone two-on-one, with Liam Coughlin feeding Alex Esposito for a shot that flew over Primeau's shoulder.

Junior Ryan Shea knotted the game at one six minutes later with his second of the season, quickly corralling a Picking pass and the point and flinging a shot through traffic and past UVM goaltender Stefanos Lekkas (19 saves) to make it 1-1 after two.

Northeastern continued to press into the third period, and took its first lead of the night 4:21 in when Filipe tucked home his own rebound on a loose puck in the crease for his fifth of the year.

Picking added an insurance marker with 2:47 to play in regulation after picking up a Lerario chip and flying down the right side before ripping a shot top corner for his fourth of the year, and Lincoln Griffin closed out the scoring in the final minute when he intercepted a clearing pass and deposited it into the empty net to make it 4-1.

Game Summary

Friday, February 15, 2019

1
4
Game statistics
33 Shots 23
0 / 3 Power Plays 0 / 3
4 / 8 PIM 4 / 8
12-15-2 Records 18-9-1
GOAL SCORERS
Vermont Northeastern
Alex Esposito (7)
2nd/7:01
Ryan Shea (2)
2nd/13:33
Matt Filipe (5)
3rd/4:21  GW
John Picking (4)
3rd/17:13
Lincoln Griffin (4)
3rd/18:52  EN
GOALTENDERS
Vermont Northeastern
Stefanos Lekkas
58:28, 19 Saves, 3 GA
(L, 12-15-2)

Empty Net
1:32, 1 GA
Cayden Primeau
60:00, 32 Saves, 1 GA
(W, 16-8-1)