ALLENTOWN, PA. - The UConn men's hockey team season ends following a 3-2 overtime loss to Penn State in the Regional Final. Joey Muldowney and Tabor Heaslip scored for the Huskies.
The first period began with the Huskies striking first. The UConn forecheck proved to be troublesome for the Nittany Lions early as the Huskies collected the puck in the offensive zone and Jake Richard found Joey Muldowney in the slot for UConn's first goal of the afternoon. Penn State looked to counter, but the Huskies defense and freshman Callum Tung stood strong holding Penn State scoreless on a power play. Penn State's best opportunity in the period came when the Nittany Lions were on a break and fired a puck at Tung that rang off the crossbar and out. Penn State eventually found the equalizer with 6:33 remaining in the first. Neither team found the back of the net again as they entered the period break tied at one.
The second period was a battle with Penn State generating multiple scoring chances and pressuring the Huskies. UConn weathered the Penn State attack and eventually persistence paid off as Tabor Heaslip fired a puck from the point and after two redirections found the back of the net. The one goal lead did not last long as Penn State countered on the next possession to tie the game at two. Neither team was able to take the lead as they entered the final period tied at two.
The third period was back and forth with both teams generating chances, but the goalies stood strong preventing a goal as both teams entered the locker room following the third period to prepare for overtime.
In overtime, the Huskies dominated and had the best chance to end it, but a shot by Joey Muldowney rung off the inside of the post and out. Both teams traded chances until late in the overtime period, Penn State collected the puck and fired it past Callum Tung for the game winner.
