NEW HAMPSHIRE SHUTS OUT NEW BRUNSWICK, 3-0
Senior netminder Matt Di Girolamo makes 22 saves for Wildcats

Senior netminder Matt Di Girolamo made 22 saves for the Wildcats

DURHAM, N.H. - Jeff Silengo (Madison, Conn.) and Justin Agosta (East Meadow, N.Y.) recorded a goal and assist apiece to lead the 12th-ranked University of New Hampshire men's hockey team to a 3-0 victory against the University of New Brunswick in Saturday afternoon's exhibition game at the Whittemore Center.

In addition to Silengo and Agosta, Dalton Speelman (San Jose, Calif.) had a multiple-point game with two assists. Stevie Moses (Leominster, Mass.) scored UNH's other goal and Matt Di Girolamo (Ambler, Pa.) stopped all 22 shots he faced, including 12 in the second period, to record the shutout.

UNB goaltender Travis Fullerton was credited with 32 saves, including 13 in the opening stanza and 11 in the final frame.

UNH quickly took a 1-0 lead on a shorthanded goal 16 seconds into the game. The Wildcats were whistled for an interference penalty seven seconds after the game's opening faceoff, but Moses corralled the outlet pass from Mike Borisenok (Watervliet, N.Y.) behind the Varsity Red defense, advanced down the slot and shifted to the left to beat Fullerton.

The Wildcats took that 1-0 lead and a 14-4 shot advantage into the first intermission. The opening stanza saw a total of 10 penalties, including a major and game misconduct against both teams for a total of 42 minutes.

New Hampshire extended the advantage to 2-0 at 4:59 of the second period, when Agosta's shot from the right point tipped off a defenseman's stick into the net. Silengo, with the pass from the right corner, and Speelman set up the tally.

The Varsity Red called time out at 10:13 and two minutes later, they generated a dangerous scoring chance on a faceoff to the left of Di Girolamo. Chris Culligan won the faceoff and the puck was moved to the front of the net, where Thomas Nesbitt fired a shot off the right post.

UNH built the lead to 3-0 at 14:30. Silengo initiated the scoring sequence by drawing the faceoff in the right circle to Speelman along the boards. Speelman touched the puck back to Agosta at the point, and his shot was redirected into the goal by Silengo.

After the penalty-marred first period, only one minor penalty - against UNH - was called in the middle stanza as the visitors tallied a 12-10 shot advantage.

The 'Cats went 0-for-3 on the power play in the third period and 0-for-5 overall. Their penalty kill was perfect in four shorthanded situations.

New Hampshire opens the 2011-12 regular season Oct. 8 (7 p.m.) against sixth-ranked Boston University at Agganis Arena. The Wildcats' home opener is Oct. 15 (7 p.m.) against fifth-ranked Boston College. For tickets to the B.C. game and more information on Wildcat athletics log on to www.UNHWildcats.com.