UNH Battles Back to Tie Dartmouth, 2-2, on NBC Sports

Friday, January 9

Durham, N.H.

7:30 PM

Dartmouth College

New Hampshire

UNH Battles Back to Tie Dartmouth, 2-2, on NBC Sports

1/9/2015 9:55:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey

By: Dartmouth

DURHAM, N.H. – The University of New Hampshire erased a two-goal deficit in the third period to earn a 2-2 tie with the Dartmouth men's hockey team Friday night at the Whittemore Center.

The game was broadcast live to a national television audience on the NBC Sports Network and was the first for the Big Green (6-5-2) at UNH's (6-11-2) Whittemore Center since the 1999-2000 season.

“I thought we played well and adjusted to the size of the ice,” head coach Bob Gaudet '81 said. “We came down today and didn't skate here this morning, so I thought for riding the bus and not being used to an Olympic sheet, we were pretty good out there.

“Both teams played well, I would've just liked to come away with the 'W' here tonight,” Gaudet continued. “It was a fun game to be a part of, just not as fun as if we had won it.”

Brad Schierhorn scored a power-play goal in the first period and Jack Barre netted a beautiful backhander in the third to help put the Big Green up by a pair.

With the tallies, both moved into a four-way share for the team lead with five goals, tying Tyler Sikura and Eric Neiley.

Brett Patterson and Eric Robinson each assisted on the Schierhorn goal at 11:56 of the first. Patterson's shot from the point was redirected home by the junior winger at the top of the crease for the first goal of the game.

Ryan Bullock and Carl Hesler had the helpers on Barre's fourth goal in as many games at 2:37 of the third.

However, the Wildcats cut the deficit to 2-1 with a power-play goal from Grayson Downing at 13:15 of the final frame, finally solving James Kruger in the Dartmouth crease. Downing would provide the most dramatic marker of the night, scoring the game-tying goal at the side of the net with 39.5 seconds left and the goalie pulled, forcing overtime and the eventual draw.

UNH got great goaltending from Adam Clark as the 6-foot-5 netminder turned aside 30. Kruger managed 18 saves in the game as his team outshot the 'Cats, 35-20 in 65 minutes.

The home team seemed to constantly be on the power play in the game, but only was able to capitalize on one of its six chances. Dartmouth was 1-for-2 with the extra skater.

“We're a physical team, but we don't run around and take penalties,” Gaudet remarked. “We pride ourselves on using our size and strength to our advantage.”

The Big Green will have a short rest before returning to action in a Sunday matinee at home against No. 12 Vermont. The two regional rivals square off Sunday at 4 p.m. at Thompson Arena.