BOSTON, Mass. – Junior Beau Burgau's (New Ulm, N.M.) goal at 1:36 in overtime lifted the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's ice hockey team to a 4-3 win over Becker inECAC Northeast action at Walter Brown Arena.
Burgau scored the game winner when senior Andrew Yarber (Livonia, Mich.) fed a pass from behind the net to Burgau in the slot, who buried a one-timer to the left side. Freshman Devin Smith (Tewksbury, Mass.) also picked up an assist on the goal after setting up the play.
With the win the Leopards, who snap a five-game unbeaten streak (0-4-1) and win for the first time since December 10, improve to 5-10-2 overall and 3-3-0 in league play. The Hawks drop to 1-13-2 (0-4-2) with the loss.
In a flurry of action in the opening moments of the first period, the hosts got on the board first on a power play goal from Smith, which was assisted by juniors Sean McLaughlin (North Billerica, Mass.) and Mike Domsodi (Kirkland, Que.). Becker netted a power play goal at the 8:38 mark when sophomore Gerald Owen (Chesapeake, Va.) scored from freshman Bryan Parsons (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and sophomore Tyler Auricchio (Henderson, Nev.)
The Leopards took a 2-1 lead less than two minutes later when sophomore Adam Frank (Clarkston, Mich.) set up freshman Matthew Heise (Kirkland, Que.). Heise's initial shot was saved by Hawk freshman goalie Tyler Stepke (Mars, Pa.), but he collected the rebound and buried a low shot. With 56 seconds left in the period, Becker evened the score when Owen and freshman Nicholas McKee (Bakersfield, Calif.) set up Auricchio on the power play.
Becker took a 3-2 lead on its third power play goal in as many chances when freshman Connor Allison (Hillsboro, Ore.) scored from Auricchio and Owen 1:23 into the period. Wentworth tied the game at 3-all at the 15:38 mark of the period when junior Curtis Heinz (Grand Rapids, Mich.) scored from sophomore Mike Cox (Marlborough, Mass.) and junior Jordan Bourgonje (Spruce Grove, Alta.).
Neither team scored in the third period, despite Wentworth peppering Stepke with 18 shots and Cox hitting the post late, setting up the Leopards' second straight overtime contest.
In the extra frame, Wentworth continued to apply pressure, taking four shots; two of the first three going on net before Burgau's heroics.
Stepke made 42 saves for Becker, while junior Alex Peck turned aside 18 shots for the Leopards, who held a 46-21 shot advantage.
Both teams are back in action on Wednesday night as Wentworth is at Suffolk and Becker is at Curry.
