Huskies get back on top
Northeastern senior captain Nolan Stevens had a dominant (albeit, abbreviated) night at Matthews Arena, posting a hat trick and an assist to clear 100 career points, as the Huskies blanked UMass, 5-0, to move back to the top of Hockey East.
NU (15-6-3, 11-4-1) avenged Friday night’s loss in Amherst and jumped one point ahead of idle Boston College thanks largely to Stevens, whose night ended 4:12 early after being assessed a cross-check minor, 10-minute misconduct and a game misconduct.
“We got a little too fancy last night and tonight we tried to stay disciplined and stay on pucks,” said Stevens, whose 102 points (49 goals) put him four behind older brother John among the 51 skaters in Northeastern’s century club. “Last year was a tough year (with injuries). I’ve been fortunate that coach gave me an opportunity to play with great linemates throughout my career.”
Senior linemate Dylan Sikura backed the cause with a four-point effort on a goal and three assists. Freshman goaltender Cayden Primeau picked up his second career shutout with 19 saves. UMass freshman goaltender Matt Murray. By the time Stevens reached the bench, senior Garrett Cecere had obtained the souvenir puck from the officials.
UMass coach Greg Carvel called the goal the “back-breaker.”
“My team, for the first time in a long time, our energy level dipped,” said Carvel, whose Minutemen ended Northeastern’s ninegame unbeaten streak with Friday’s win. “It was the first time we’ve been outchanced by an opponent. Northeastern did a good job cycling the puck with their speed.”
Stevens connected for his second, wheeling in the mid-slot before rifling a high shot past Murray, at 17:07 of the second. Northeastern kept up the pressure, with Sikura sending a shot off the post at 18:21, then grew the margin to 4-0 at 8:33 of the third when freshman left winger Brandon Schultz posted his first college goal.
Stevens completed his hat trick at 12:30, collecting his own rebound and flicking a backhand into the net. He was gone about three minutes later, after a disagreement with UMass players Brett Boeing (10-minute misconduct) and Niko Hildenbrand (5-minute major for interference, 10-minute misconduct and game misconduct).