GORHAM, Maine – The Norwich University Cadets scored three times in the first period in a 4-2 New England Hockey Conference win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies on Friday night in Gorham. Clark Kerner recorded a goal and an assist and Holden Doggett had two assists for the Cadets.
 
Southern Maine's goals came from senior Zach Desmarais (St. Cyrille, Quebec) and freshman Gavin Simopoulos (Cape Elizabeth, Maine). Junior Cole Brennan (Sussex, N.J./ Pomfret School) recorded his first point of the season with an assist.
 
The Records:
Norwich: 4-3-1 (3-1-1 NEHC)
Southern Maine: 2-6-0 (0-5-0 NEHC)
 
Series History:
The Huskies and Cadets have now played 51 times with Norwich leading the series 45-4-2. Southern Maine defeated Norwich 3-1 in the NEHC Playoffs last season on the road. The 2023-24 regular season series saw the teams tie 2-2 in their first meeting at Norwich and the Cadets pull out a 5-2 win in the second meeting.
 
The Goaltenders:
Norwich: Sami Molu (4-1-1), 60:00, two goals allowed, 20 saves, assist
Southern Maine: Mason Palmer (1-4-0): 20:00, three goals allowed, 10 saves
Southern Maine: Kyle Penton: 38:23, one goal allowed, 20 saves
 
How It Happened:

• Zach Ophoven had the first goal of the game 2:44 into the first and Norwich went on to take a 3-0 in the first 13 minutes of the game.
• Senior Kyle Penton (Waltham, Mass./Albany Academy) replaced Palmer in goal and made 11 saves in the second period.
• Desmarais got the Huskies on the board with a goal 4:17 in the second with seniors Azam Jiwa (Calgary, Alberta) and Mathieu Sabourin (Alexandria, Ontario) assisting. Norwich answered with a goal by Ben van Waterschoot less than two minutes later to extend their lead 4-1.
• Simopoulos continued his strong rookie season with his team-leading third goal of the year 1:31 later and his goal stood as the last in the game. Brennan and sophomore Marcus Torgner (Mjolby, Sweden) had the assists.
• Molu and Penton each made nine saves in a scoreless third period.

 
 
Inside The Stats:

• The teams played a clean game with no penalties being called.
• Norwich led 48-33 in faceoff wins with Anthony Domina, van Waterschoot and Kerner each winning at least 12.
• Sabourin led the Huskies with 11 draw wins and added two blocked shots for a solid all-around game.
• Brennan led the Huskies in blocked shots with three. He tied with Norwich's Johnny Johnson for the most in the game.

 
Up Next:
The two teams play again tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 pm in the USM Ice Arena.
 
-rwd