Slow start proves fatal for UConn in Hockey East title game

As UConn and Maine prepared for the Hockey East championship game, both teams viewed the opening minutes as crucial. With Black Bears fans taking over TD Garden, the Huskies knew they needed to start fast.

“We wanted to score first and try to take the crowd out of the game,” UConn coach Mike Cavanaugh said.

As for Maine, it had just gone to double overtime to beat Northeastern in the late semifinal on Thursday night. The game didn’t end until after 11 p.m., creating a short turnaround for the final. The Black Bears weren’t sure they’d have the legs when the puck dropped on Friday night.

“We were a little worried after last night,” Maine coach Ben Barr said.

The first period ended up deciding the game — just not in the way UConn hoped it would. Instead of getting the opening goal and starting strong, the Huskies struggled out of the gate while the Black Bears came out flying.

“Maine jumped us early,” Cavanaugh said.

The Huskies allowed two goals in the first and never recovered, ultimately falling 5-2 in the final. The Black Bears owned the night from start to finish.

“Sports can humble you and we got humbled tonight,” Cavanaugh said. “They deserved to win tonight. I thought they played better than we did.”

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