UConn erases three-goal deficit to beat Northeastern in overtime, 4-3

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No. 14 UConn men’s hockey erased a three-goal deficit and went on to earn a 4-3 overtime win over the No. 11 Northeastern Huskies on Saturday night at Matthews Arena. In his return from a concussion that kept him out the last two contests, Joey Muldowney scored the game-winning goal on a breakaway in overtime.

Northeastern went up 3-0 in the first 23:33 before UConn responded with four unanswered goals. Ethan Gardula notched the opener on the power play, Kaden Shahan cut the deficit to one then Jake Percival tied it with 4:49 left in regulation. In overtime, Muldowney forced a turnover at his own blue line, took it down the ice and scored to send his side home happy.

UConn dominated the special teams game, scoring on the power play, a delayed penalty and in 3-on-3 overtime.

Northeastern opened the scoring 7:21 in thanks to a bizarre bounce. After a scrum in the crease, UConn goalie Tyler Muszelik’s stick ended up on the ice in front of him. Dylan Compton then ripped a shot from the point that deflected off the stick and found the back of the net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

After a tripping penalty on Jake Richard, Northeastern doubled the advantage on the power play. Muszelik turned away the initial shot but the rebound went right to Giacomo Martino, who buried it with 10 seconds left in the period.

UConn went into the first intermission down 2-0, its largest deficit through 20 minutes to this point in the season.

Northeastern pushed the gap to three 3:33 into the second period thanks to a bad turnover from UConn. Tom Messineo had a pass picked off at the top of the circles, which allowed Griffin Erdman to skate it and score.

Despite facing a 3-0 deficit, UConn battled back. First, it converted on the second half of back-to-back power plays with a re-direct from Gardula. Just over five minutes later, Ryan Tattle jumped on a turnover deep in the offensive zone and found Shahan, who blasted a one-timer from the slot into the back of the net.

The 3-2 scoreline held into the final intermission.

Though it took most of the third period, UConn eventually found the equalizer. On a delayed penalty, Percival tapped in a centering pass from Viking Gustafsson Nyberg to tie the game at 3-3.

In overtime, Muldowney forced a turnover with a hit at the blue line and jumped out on a breakaway. He faked a shot, deked to his right and buried the game-winning goal to cap off UConn’s comeback.

The victory came in UConn’s final game at the historic Matthews Arena and secured the team’s first sweep of the 2025-26 season. The Huskies improve to 6-4-2 on the season and 4-2-1 in Hockey East play.

Next, UConn will take on New Hampshire in a home-and-home, beginning with a trip to Durham next Friday.

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