Free Press

Issue date: 11/30/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jeffrey Ferland USM junior forward Zach Joy (Dover, NH) handles the puck past a defender in a recent game against the Norwich University Cadets. Joy scored two goals in the season opener against St. Michael's College, including the game-winner late in the second period to propel the Huskies past the Purple Knights 3-2. USM dropped their next game to the Cadets 4-3.

The USM Huskies jumped off to an early lead in their season opener when freshman Ben Maclaughlin (Beverly, MA) intercepted a clearing pass by a Saint Michael’s College defender directly in front of the net and put it past junior goalie Brendan Rimmer 46 seconds into the contest. The Huskies held the lead the entire game, beating the Purple Knights 3-2 Friday night at the USM Ice Arena in Gorham.

USM increased their lead midway through the first period when junior Zach Joy (Dover, NH) took the puck from the opposite end, skating through Saint Michael’s defenders, to beat Rimmer with a wrist shot. Senior Chris Travis (Scituate, MA) and junior Mike Carpenter (Minot) were credited with assists on the goal. The Purple Knights struggled mounting any attack during the first period and were out-shot 12-6.

Saint Michael’s College cut the lead in half in the second period with a goal by Alex Davidson. Senior Tim Gerverd’s hard shot rebounded off the boards to Davidson, who collected the puck in front of the net before scoring. On a breakaway in the second period, Joy fell down in front of the last defender, pushing the puck with his stick. He stood back up, skated passed the defender and picked the puck up again before scoring his second goal of the game. Travis and freshman Ryan Boucher (Lewiston, Maine) picked up assists on the play.

The Purple Knights answered a couple minutes later on a USM power play when junior Glenn Belmore passed to an open Pat McGuirk who scored the shorthanded goal. Both teams managed to shut out the opposing attacks in the third period. USM sophomore goalie Koray Celik (Ile-bizard, Quebec) made 14 of his 28 saves during the third period, when Saint Michael’s out-shot the Huskies 14-5. Rimmer made 25 saves for the Purple Knights in the game. Despite being out-shot, the young USM team held off Saint Michaels’ attack. “We never gave it away,” said assistant coach Paul Evans. “With nine freshman in the lineup, it’s not always easy protecting a lead.”

The Huskies, who went 11-12-3 last year, were picked for fifth in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll this year. The 3-2 win starts the Huskies out on the right foot for the season.

“Everything was pretty encouraging. We saw some good things from our freshman,” said Evans. “Hopefully we will be a little more consistent this year.”

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