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Sophomore defenseman Ava Rinker scored at 2:28 of overtime for the Huskies
Rinker Sends UConn Past Sacred Heart In Overtime, 3-2, In Nutmeg Classic
Sophomore defenseman Ava Rinker scored at 2:28 of overtime for the Huskies

Box Score

STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut women's ice hockey team advanced to the Nutmeg Classic Championship with an overtime 3-2 victory on Friday night.

Period 1: A close battle would take hold throughout the game on top of a defensive clinic by Sacred Heart goaltender, Carly Greene. Greene would end the game with 54 saves. However, there would be steady play from both sides in the first period. Sacred Heart would start out on the board as Paige McNeil would set up Delani MacKay for the first goal of the night. Then, the Huskies answered back within a minute as Riley Grimley would connect with Brooke Campbell for the equalizing goal. The period would end 1-1. 

Period 2: As many shots were fired at the goal, only one more goal would find the back of the net for the Pioneers. That second goal would give Sacred Heart the early lead in the second period. Sacred Heart's Nicole Guidi would deliver it to Kelly Solak for the goal. Then, UConn again would respond with the tying goal. Claire Peterson would take it herself down the ice to ring one in. UConn would get a chance with a power play, but Sacred Heart would kill the penalty. That would be Sacred Heart's one of four infractions in the game. The score would remain 2-2 after two. 

Period 3: Shots on shots would pile up in the third period for the Huskies, but nothing would find the back of the net for the entire period. UConn would get another Power Play but could not take advantage as the score would remain tied. UConn Goaltender, Tia Chan would also come up big with one of her 10 saves in the game as the clock was winding down. The game would go into overtime, and the Huskies would take over. Then, in sudden death, with 2:32 left in the game Ava Rinker would put UConn on top with a laser shot that was placed in the top corner of the goal. UConn would go on to win 3-2 against Sacred Heart. 


UP NEXT

The Huskies will compete in the Nutmeg Classic Championship against No. 4 ranked Quinnipiac University. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET and the game can be streamed live on ESPN+.