Box score

2010 Men's Hockey Digital Media Guide

Rookies Cody Ferriero and Brodie Reid made their grand debuts with a goal apiece, but it was not enough as Northeastern lost its first outing of the season, 3-2, at Providence College on Friday night at Schneider Arena.

Senior Wade MacLeod accounted for his 93rd career point with the helper on Reid's third-period goal while sophomore netminder Chris Rawlings made 26 saves in 59:16 minutes of action.

The game was chock full of powerplay opportunites with each squad taking advantage once on six chances. Shoos for each side was almost even in the first and third periods, but the Friars outshot the Huskies, 9-4, in the second frame. PC held the outright advantage in attempts, 29-22.

Providence charged out of the gates and possessed the puck for the first portion of the contest, but it was the Huskies who were able to register the first real scoring chances thanks to back-to-back powerplay opportunities.

Ian O'Connor was cited for interference at 4:43, giving way to a slew of Huskies' rips from the top. Only a few shots made it through to PC netminder Alex Beaudry, but Derek Army was hauled off for the same penalty at 7:20. Rookie Luke Eibler rifled off a number of slapshots to the net, but the Friars defense prevented any Huskies from attacking first.

Northeastern's third powerplay chance in the first frame gave way to the Huskies first goal of the season. A Damian Cross hitting-from-behind penalty (11:56) bestowed NU with the chance and the Huskies' extra-man unit finally broke down Providence's penalty kill. Twenty-one seconds into the advantage, Ferriero collected a loose puck between the circles and precisely wristed a laser over Beaudry's blocker top-shelf for the 1-0 lead at 13:17.

The Huskies killed off a Mike McLaughlin interference penalty, but a few moments later, a breakdown in Providence's zone lead to a Jordan Kremyr transitional goal at 18:22 of the first. Tim Schaller sent the puck out to Cross who bumped it over to a flanking Kremyr to beat Rawlings glove side to cinch the game, 1-1.

The second period was a special teams exhibition, but neither squad was able to exploit its chances. Ferriero initiated the special teams bonanza with a tripping call at 4:26 but was quickly negated by the same call from PC's Daniel New. Eibler followed suit with a cross-checking penalty 42 seconds left, but to no avail for the Friars' 4-on-3 chance.

Northeastern was granted a five-minute opportunity after Kyle MacKinnon was sat down for charging at 10:57, but the Huskies were not able to muster a tally throughout the duration of the five-minute window. NU's penalty kill was able to keep PC off the board after rookie Braden Pimm was taken away for hooking at 16:10, keeping both teams at bay despite four powerplay chances.

A couple more powerplay exchanges between both teams transpired before the Friars broke the tie on a powerplay goal from Matt Germain at 9:00. Controversy engulfed the powerplay marker as the net was lifted in a scrum in front, making Germain's shot appear to have gone wide. Upon further review a few moments later, the officials deemed Germain's tally in front of the goalmouth acceptable to give the home team its first lead of the night, 2-1.

Ben Farrer extended the lead at 16:25 after stripping the puck from the Huskies' defense and potting an unassisted goal to cast PC'S final tally. Farrer deked Rawlings once and beat him blocker to nudge the count to 3-2.

Reid clawed the Huskies back to within one, 3-2, after stashing away junior Wade MacLeod's rebound on his backhand to beat Beaudry's glove side at 19:36. NU's goal was scored with the extra attacker after head coach Greg Cronin pulled Rawlings, but it was not enough as the Friars held off a last-ditch effort with 25 seconds left on the clock.

Northeastern opens its home slate tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 9 at Matthews Arena when the Huskies welcome in defending national champion #1 Boston College. The Huskies' season opener against the Eagles is SOLD OUT. Last season, Northeastern posted a 3-0 mark in front of a sold out Matthews Arena.

If you did not get your ticket to tomorrow night's game against Boston College, get your GoNU.TV All-Access pass! The new streaming website will provide Huskies fans with the latest technology in live and on-demand online video streaming. Fans will be treated to higher quality video and audio, live stats integration, mobile compatibility, the ability to chat with other viewers and more.

Game Notes
• Northeastern is 45-28-6 in season opening games

• The last time Northeastern scored an extra attacker goal was when Randy Guzior potted when against Boston College on March 6, 2009. Brodie Reid ended NU's season-long streak in the season opener

• The Huskies extended their streak to 65 games of not being shutout

• Tonight was Randy Guzior's 100th career game for Northeastern

• Tonight was NU's first loss to Providence since Jan. 26, 2008 (2-5 at Providence)