Men’s Ice Hockey Ties Perennial D3 Power Norwich University, 3-3 (OT)

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Endicott men's ice hockey team skated to a 3-3 overtime tie against No. 13/14 nationally ranked Norwich University on Friday night at Kreitzberg Arena in the first-ever meeting between the programs.

With Endicott leading 3-1 to start the third period, the Cadets put together a spirited comeback effort that culminated in a 6-on-4 power play goal (NU empty net) from Kevin Salvucci (Plymouth, Mass.) with 1.6-seconds left in the period to force overtime, and the eventual tie. Salvucci found the back of the in the slot via a slick feed from Cody Smith (Hudson, Mass.).

Meanwhile, the Gulls netted all three of their goals in the second period via Ross Olsson (Billerica, Mass.), Joseph Slovak (South Yarmouth, Mass.), and Nicholas Petrella (Hilton, N.Y.) at 6:13, 15:56, and 17:22, respectively.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Petrella and Slovak assisted on each other's goals along with Tommy Besinger (Milton, Mass.).
• Petrella's goal tonight was the first of his collegiate career.
• Besinger now has 10 career points in eight games played for the Gulls since transferring from Army West Point.
• Kevin Aldridge (Birmingham, Mich.) stopped 35 shots in the tie. Aldridge now owns a career record of 16-9-3, and has recorded 35 or more saves in 11 career games.
• With his goal in the second period tonight, Olsson moved into sole possession of the career goals mark at Endicott.

FOR THE FOES

• Brian Rowland (Waltham, Mass.), and Anthony Flaherty (South Boston, Mass.) buried the other tallies for the Cadets.
• Both previously mentioned student-athletes also had one assist each in the tie tonight.
• Braeden Ostepchuk (Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada), and Ty Reichenbach (Billings, Mont.) split time in net for Norwich. Ostepchuk made eight saves in 40 minutes of action, while Reichenbach had seven in 24:01 and allowed zero goals.
• The Cadets have not lost a season opener since the 2007-08 season.
• Norwich has won three NCAA Division III national championships (2000, 2003, 2010) in its storied history
• The Cadets have also made 15 NCAA Tournament appearances including 11 Frozen Four appearances.

NOTES

• Norwich is ranked No. 13 in the D3hockey.com Preseason Poll, and No. 14 in the USCHO Division III Preseason Poll.
• Endicott is receiving three votes in the D3hockey.com Preseason Poll, and five votes in the USCHO Division III Preseason Poll

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (0-0-1) visits the University of New England on Thursday, November at 7 p.m. The game will mark the first-ever Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) matchup for both programs after moving into the league late last year. Norwich (0-0-1) hosts Southern Maine next Thursday at 7 p.m. 

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