Connecticut overcame losing a lead with just two seconds remaining in the third period, and received the game-winner from freshman William Magnuson, who scored his first career goal in overtime to give the Huskies a 4-3 victory over Canisius at the Buffalo State Sports Arena.
The win was the Huskies’ first in Atlantic Hockey Association play, and moves them to 2-3-1 overall and 1-1-0 in the AHA. Canisius drops to 0-5-3 overall with the loss, and 0-3-1 in the conference.
UConn opened a 1-0 lead in the first period, scoring 4:20 into the period on a goal by Trevor Stewart. Stewart took a pass from William West and one-timed it through the pads of Canisius goaltender Bryan Worosz.
The Griffs knotted the game 2:37 into the second period on freshman Joey Coccimiglio’s third goal of the season. Coccimiglio corralled a loose puck off the boards and fired a shot into the left side of the net.
The Huskies regained the lead at the 7:55 mark of the second period on Eric Nelson’s first goal of the season, with assists from Cole Koidahl and B.J. Crum. Nelson scooped the puck off Worosz’s glove and went high on the right side to give UConn a 2-1 lead. Canisius rallied again, scoring with 8:53 remaining in the period on Todd Bowler’s first of the year, a delayed-penalty goal.
The Huskies took a 3-2 lead with 4:37 remaining in the game on Nelson’s second goal of the game, a blast from the high slot into the right corner off assists from Brian Burns and Matt Scherer.
The Griffs scored in dramatic fashion to tie the game at 3, as junior Josh Zavitz scored with two seconds remaining in the game, grabbing his own rebound and beating UConn goalie Scott Tomes through a crowd in front of the net.
In the overtime period, Magnuson’s shot was deflected off the stick of Worosz and trickled in to give the Huskies the win. The goal was assisted by Tim Olsen and Koidahl.
