STORRS, Conn. - Joey Muldowney notches his second hat trick of the season as the UConn men's hockey team takes down Alaska Anchorage by a final of 5-2. The Huskies jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and never looked back.
The first period was all UConn as they scored three goals and held Alaska Anchorage scoreless. The Huskies got things going early as Hugh Larkin collected the puck and looked to find Filip Sitar in front of the net, but a deflection by a Sea Wolves player lofted the puck over the goalie for UConn's first goal of the evening. The Huskies followed that up late in the period when freshman Ethan Whitcomb left a pass for Ethan Gardula who ripped a shot past the Alaska netminder for the second goal of the afternoon. Following a UConn penalty, Alaska Anchorage looked to cut into the Huskies lead, but the UConn penalty kill shined as sophomore Joey Muldowney stole the puck at the Huskies blue line and took it the length of the ice for the goal and UConn's nation leading ninth short handed goal. Junior Tyler Muszelik made nine saves in the first period to hold the Sea Wolves scoreless.
In the second period it was all Alaska as they were able to cut into the Huskies lead heading into the third period. The Huskies were forced to play a man down early as a hooking penalty on Tom Messineo put Alaska Anchorage on the power play. The Sea Wolves were able to find the back on the power play, but UConn successfully won a challenge for goaltender interference. Shortly after the goal was revoked, Alaska found the back of the net officially making it a two-goal game. Shortly after their first goal Alaska was able to net a second to make it a one goal game. After allowing the two goals, the Huskies defense and Tyler Muszelik stood strong preventing the Sea Wolves from finding the equalizer in the period.
The third period, the Huskies found their stride again as they were able to net two goals to secure the 5-2 victory. The Huskies extended their lead back to two early in the third period as Joey Muldowney took a feed from Ryan Tattle on the power play and beat the Alaska netminder for the fourth goal of the game. Late in the third period, Alaska pulled their goalie in favor of an extra skater and with the goalie pulled, Joey Muldowney scored his third of the game, his second hat trick this season, to give secure the victory for the Huskies.
With the win, UConn finishes their non-conference slate 8-2 overall.
UP NEXT:
The Huskies will have the weekend off and return to action next week as they welcome the University of Maine to Storrs.
