UNH win over NU is kid stuff

It was the first league game for both teams.

“I’m pleased, not only with the fact that we won the first game in Hockey East,’’ said UNH coach Dick Umile. “We needed a win and we talked about getting a little bit better each day and each game. I thought we did a much better job defensively as a team.’’

The Wildcats (1-2-1) got on the board at 14:41 of the first period when Speelman converted on a rebound of a shot by Blake Kessel (three assists). Kessel fired a shot from the left point that freshman goalie Chris Rawlings stopped but couldn’t control. Speelman collected it in front and backhanded it past Rawlings (30 saves).

Speelman’s second goal came 24 seconds into the second. Bobby Butler took a shot that caromed off the right goal post. The puck bounced to Peter LeBlanc, who threw it back at the net. It glanced off Speelman’s skate and past Rawlings to make it 2-0.

Umile said Speelman has a lot of skill.

“He’s quick and he has great composure with the puck,’’ said the coach. “He has a very, very good stick and he doesn’t get rattled. With people on him, he makes plays. He’s a smart hockey player. He’s earned everything he’s got.’’

UNH made it a three-goal bulge on a power-play tally at 5:55. Matt Campanale, who was positioned at the left post, dished the puck down to Butler. Butler, who had a goal and two assists, rifled it at the net and it eluded Rawlings for Butler’s fourth goal in four games.

It was far from a great night for the Huskies (2-2-0), who have been beset by injuries and illnesses. They got a goal during a two-man advantage at 4:43 of the third period when Wade MacLeod beat Brian Foster (14 saves) to pull within 3-1. NU had a 4-on-3 opportunity at 11:43 of the middle period but UNH controlled the play and the Huskies couldn’t put together any sort of attack.

Mike Sislo made it 4-1 for UNH on a power-play goal at 11:43 of the third to put it away. NU’s MacLeod potted his second at 14:20 to close out the scoring.

“Despite the narrow score, we got dominated I think in most aspects of the game,’’ said NU coach Greg Cronin. “Special teams, 5 on 5, pure hustle. I thought the first half of the first period, it looked like it was going to be a good night for Northeastern. Then, I don’t know what happened. It was an extremely lethargic performance and [UNH] got better as the game went on and we weren’t able to match it. It’ll be a learning experience for a young team.’’