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Junior forward Vladislav Firstov scored two goals for the Huskies
Three-Goal Third Period Sends UConn Past Sacred Heart, 6-3
Junior forward Vladislav Firstov scored two goals for the Huskies

Box Score

HARTFORD, Conn. - The UConn Huskies scored three goals in the third period to come away with a season opening 6-3 win over visiting Sacred Heart Saturday afternoon from the XL Center. UConn junior Vladislav Firstov (Yarolsavl, Russia) scored twice for the Huskies in the win.

UConn ends a seven-game winless streak (0-6-1) against Sacred Heart with the win. The Huskies won the battle on special teams, scoring on their one power play chance while killing off all four SHU chances with the extra skater.

The Huskies led 2-1 after the first on Firstov's opening goal just 1:05 in and then a power play goal from sophomore Ryan Tverberg (Richmond Hill, Ontario). Firstov gave the Huskies a 3-1 lead midway through the second period on his second but SHU battle back to tie the score.

Sacred Heart goals by Kevin Lombardi and Ryan Steel sent the game to the third period tied, 3-3. UConn's senior captain Jachym Kondelik (Budejovice, Czech Republic) scored what would be the game-winner at 6:05, tucking his first of the season inside the post on a wrap-around chance.

UConn was able to tack on a pair of empty net goals with less than a minute to play, one from grad student Kevin O'Neil (Latham, N.Y.), his first as a Husky, and another from senior Marc Gatcomb (Woburn, Mass.)

The Pioneers held a 34-28 edge on shots but UConn goaltender Darion Hanson (East Bethel, Minn.) was up to the task making 31 saves to earn the win in his first career UConn start.

The Huskies will be back in action next weekend when they open up Hockey East play with a home-and-home series against nationally ranked Boston University. UConn will host BU on Friday night, October 8 at XL Center at 7:05 pm.