Hamilton, NY. - The UConn Huskies secured their first win of the 2023-24 season with a 4-2 victory over the Colgate Raiders Friday night. Sophomore Samu Salminen scored two goals, while fellow sophomores Matthew Wood and Jake Percival both pitched in a goal.
UConn opened the scoring early in the first period consistent pressure from the Huskies forced a Colgate turnover and after collecting the puck, freshman Jake Richard found sophomore Matthew Wood who fired the puck right over the Colgate netminder. Less than one minute later, the Huskies found the back of the net again after another freshman to sophomore connection. Freshman Joey Muldowney collected the puck at the blue line and found Samu Salminen wide open and from there the sophomore made one move and fired the puck blocker side to give UConn the 2-0 lead. Colgate answered immediately, cutting the Huskies lead to one. The score would hold as UConn entered the period break leading by one.
Both Colgate and UConn had opportunities to score in the second period but steady goaltending from Arsenii Sergeev and Carter Gylander of Colgate kept the period scoreless. Colgate threatened early when Tom Messineo turned the puck over in front of the Huskies net, but senior John Spetz was there to block the Colgate shot. The Raiders once again looked to tie the game in the second period, but sophomore Arsenii Sergeev made a sprawling stick save. UConn answered the Raiders attempts with their own scoring chances.
Midway through the second period, freshman Jake Richard was left alone in front of the net following a shot but his attempt to backhand the puck was kicked away by Gylander. Following that attempt with three minutes remaining in the second period, the puck found its way in front of the net however three different shots by the Huskies were turned away. Through two periods, Colgate outshot the Huskies 23-21, but UConn entered the period break with the 2-1 lead.
Colgate began the third period strong, generating multiple scoring chances early, but sophomore Arsenii Sergeev and the Huskies defense were able to weather the storm. Colgate continued to threaten and following a penalty on Matthew Wood, the Raiders held the man advantage for 2 minutes late in the third period. The Huskies penalty kill went to work and shortly into the kill, Tabor Heaslip and Samu Salminen found themselves in a two on one situation and Salminen buried a one timer into the back of the net to give UConn the two-goal lead late in the period. Colgate answered on the ensuing faceoff to cut the lead once again to one goal. A late empty net goal by sophomore Jake Percival sealed the 4-2 giving the Huskies their first victory of the 23-24 season.
The Huskies will be back in action tomorrow October 8 as they wrap up the two-game series against Colgate. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00pm and can be streamed live on ESPN+.
