MANCHESTER, N.H. – After a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory against Southern New Hampshire University that saw the Hawks erase an early three-goal deficit, Saint Anselm College men's ice hockey is moving on to face the No. 2 seed, Saint Michael's College, in the Northeast 10 Conference Semifinals on Saturday, Feb. 28, with puck drop set for 3:00 p.m. at Cairns Arena.
Last time out, the Hawks went down to the wire in a cross-town contest against the sixth-seeded Penmen, with freshman Sean Connolly coming up clutch for Saint Anselm by netting the game-tying goal in regulation and the game-winner in overtime to secure the comeback victory.
The Hawks faced adversity early, as SNHU jumped out to a 3-0 lead at the end of the first period and held a two-goal advantage heading into the final 20 minutes. Senior goaltender Tucker Hanson did not allow a goal in the third period as the Hawks rallied late, scoring three unanswered goals in the final period and overtime, two from Connolly and one from sophomore Keaton Richards.
The Hawks hold a 36-23-4 record in the all-time series against the Purple Knights. Saint Anselm has faced the Saint Michael's four times during the regular season, going 1-3-0 in the series. After dropping the first two matchups in a homestand in early November, the Hawks split the second series in Vermont in January. In their lone victory, the Hawks netted three goals in the final 1:18 of play to secure the comeback on the road. Both teams faced off for the NE10 Championship in last year's playoffs, with the Purple Knights emerging victorious for their sixth NE10 title.
The winner of Saturday afternoon's contest will move on to face the winner of the other semifinal between Assumption University and Post University for the NE10 Championship on Saturday, March 7.
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