Box
Score
NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Wayne Sands scored the
game-winning goal nearly 16 minutes into the first sudden victory
overtime period to lift eighth-seeded UMass-Boston to a dramatic
1-0 victory over top-seeded Norwich in an ECAC East Tournament
quarterfinal game Saturday evening at Kreitzberg Arena.
Ryan Donovan stopped all 39 shots that he faced, including 12 in
the extra session, to help the Beacons (9-15-2) score the upset.
Ryan Klingensmith kept Norwich (13-8-4) in the game throughout;
making 24 saves on the night.
The game-winning play started when Sands fired a shot on goal
from the right faceoff circle. Klingensmith made that save and
kicked the rebound to the side of the net. Sands then picked up the
puck and circled around the back of the net before snapping off a
low wrist shot that beat Klingensmith at the 15:46 mark. The
unassisted marker sent the Beacons into a celebratory frenzy on the
ice at Kreitzberg. The loss is the first-ever for Norwich in an
ECAC East quarterfinal game.
UMass-Boston outshot Norwich 8-4 in an entertaining first
period. The Beacons had a great opportunity right off the opening
faceoff, but Jim Ennis' shot glanced off the pipe. Both squads
enjoyed quality scoring chances in the opening frame.
The Cadets seemed to have the better of play in the second
period, outshooting the Beacons 12-6 in the stanza.
Norwich controlled the third period, outshooting UMass-Boston
11-4 in the frame. The Cadets had several quality scoring
opportunities, including a shot from Nikita Kashirsky that
fluttered past Donovan but hit the pipe. Donovan and Klingensmith
continued to stand tall throughout the third period, and the game
moved into the extra session deadlocked at 0-0.
The Cadets generated more shots in the overtime (12-7), but they
were unable to get anything past Donovan. The Beacons' goaltender
was masterful throughout the period, making several incredible
stops. Klingensmith was steady in the overtime as well, but Sands
was finally able to break through near the end of the frame.
For the game, Norwich outshot UMass-Boston 39-25. The Cadets
were 0-for-2 on the power play, while the Beacons went 0-for-3 with
the man advantage.
