Second Half Scoring Flurry Leads Connecticut to 4-2 Season Opening Win

Courtesy of Connecticut Athletic Communications

STORRS, Conn. (October 19, 2007) - The University of Connecticut men's ice hockey team scored four goals in a span of 2:18, to earn a 4-2 win over American International in the regular season and Atlantic Hockey Association opener for both teams. Freshman Andrew Olson (Alexandria, Minn.) scored two goals for the Huskies.

It started out slow for UConn, as AIC was the aggressors throughout the first period. The Huskies were out shot 12-1 in the stanza, but the game was kept scoreless due Connecticut goaltender Beau Erickson making some tough saves.

The second period was more even as Connecticut began to generate some chances of their own. However, at the 5:33 mark, the Yellow Jacket's Greg Genovese was able to beat Beau Erickson to give AIC the 1-0 lead. It remained that way until the 14:26 mark when Olson scored his first of the season in the top left corner of the net off a nifty pass from Sean Erickson (Eden Prairie, Minn.). Less than minute later, Michael Coppola (Old Brookville, N.Y.) scored when his shot took a funny bounce off the ice and beat Yellow Jacket goalie Tom Fenton high. Jarett Costello (Chandler, Ariz.) recorded the assist. 29 seconds later, Olson scored once again after taking a pass from Chris Ochoa (Santa Monica, Calf.) and faking the goalie out to score on an empty net.  Jeff Sapieha (Calgary, Alberta) was able to conclude the Husky flurry 1:04 after that when he scored off an assist from Sean Erickson. The goal scoring for the period was not done as AIC was able to pull within 4-2 on a goal by Chris Campanale at the 17:12 mark.

The third period featured Beau Erickson at his best. He had to make 12 saves as the Huskies protected their two goal lead. Despite the aggressive offense, AIC was unable to get any closer, and UConn held on for the 4-2 win.

For the game the Yellow Jackets, out shot the Huskies 35-18. Connecticut was led by Sean Erickson and Olson with three shots each. Beau Erickson made 33 saves in goal.

UConn returns to action on Saturday when they travel to Massachusetts to take on the 15th ranked Minutemen. Game time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.