In its seventh overtime game of the season, junior Vinny Saponari sent the Northeastern men's hockey team to its first triumph in extra time as the Huskies bested Massachusetts 22 seconds into overtime for the 4-3 victory on Friday night at Matthews Arena. Third-year forward Robbie Vrolyk supported Northeastern's efforts thanks to a two-goal performance while rookie Adam Reid netted the other tally in regulation. Vrolyk has notched three goals in his last two games as his last two-goal outing came at UMass on Feb. 13, 2010. The Huskies defense did not let Massachusetts register a shot on net until 9:17 of the first period, but the Minutemen still edged Northeastern in shots, 32-30. Junior goaltender Chris Rawlings steered aside 29 shots in his 11th triumph (11-10-3) of the season while UMass goalie Kevin Boyle slipped to 5-4-4 with 26 saves on the night. Northeastern has been on the short end of overtime contests as of late, losing three in OT and skating to the same number of draws. Saponari's walk-off tally was the Huskies first since Jamie Oleksiak ended a game at UMass Lowell on Feb. 11, 2011. That game occurred in between the Beanpot Tournament last season. It was also Northeastern's first victory over UMass in four tries with the last win falling at home on Jan. 28, 2011 (3-0).
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