Northeastern center Adam Gaudette was kept in check by UMass for much of the teams’ Hockey East quarterfinal series. But Gaudette broke out in the second period of the Huskies’ 7-2 victory, upping his NCAA Division 1-leading goal total to 30.
The No. 7-ranked Huskies (23-8-5) made a statement with a dominating performance in advancing to a semifinal game against Providence at TD Garden at 8 p.m. Friday.
UMass (17-20-2) had split a two-game series with Northeastern during the regular season and held Gaudette goalless in three games, including a 3-2 loss in the quarterfinal opener Friday.
But Northeastern took control against the Minutemen, running up a 6-0 lead after two periods. The Huskies finished with their highest goal total in a Hockey East tournament game and most goals in a postseason game since taking a 10-4 win over UNH in the 1982 NCAA third-place game.
Nolan Stevens scored twice, to bump his season total to 24 goals, and linemate Dylan Sikura converted his 20th of the season and added an assist. Seven Huskies had multiple-point outputs, Jeremy Davies, Lincoln Griffin, and Brandon Hawkins (two assists) also scoring goals.
“Our goals are to win the Beanpot and win Hockey East, so now we’re working on our second goal,’’ NU coach Jim Madigan said. “Providence, I would think they’re the favorite in our matchup, given how they took points from us [the teams tied, 4-4, and the Friars took a 2-1 overtime win over NU in January].
“[The Huskies] are mature enough to keep the focus and they understand how special it is. That’s what drives them every day in practice. When you see Gaudette, Sikura, and Stevens shooting pucks after practice for a half an hour, you understand why they score out there.’’
Davies opened the scoring, taking a pass from Biagio Lerario, splitting two defenders, then faking past Ryan Wischow on the edge of the crease for his sixth goal of the season at 3:42. Stevens finished from the crease after Griffin swept a pass from behind the net while sliding face-first, giving NU a 2-0 lead at 19:29.
Gaudette broke free from the Minutemen’s stifling defense in the second period. First, Gaudette’s one-timer from the left circle off assists from Garrett Cecere and Sikura gave the Huskies a three-goal lead at 3:21 of the second. Gaudette became the 11th Husky to total at least 30 goals in a season. The Huskies extended their advantage when Sikura stripped Niko Hildenbrand, going in alone to finish off the left post for a 4-0 lead at 10:47. Gaudette then came out of the penalty box to set up Hawkins on a breakaway for a 5-0 lead at 12:37. Stevens’s second score made it 6-0 at 18:56 of the second, his 12th power-play score of the season.
“[Sikura] and I have been working on that shot all week, every day after practice,’’ Gaudette said. “The one shot you get in the game and it goes in. My linemates and I, we work on the things that happen in the game all the time. I couldn’t do it without those guys. After practice we work together and it makes us more comfortable together. Little things like that contribute — I don’t think people realize how much that helps.’’
Niko Rufo broke up the shutout at 4:15 of the third. Griffin’s one-timer from the point upped the lead to 7-1 at 8:32. Brett Boeing concluded the scoring off at 16:50.
“We wanted to control the big line and it’s hard to do,’’ UMass coach Greg Carvel said. “It’s tough to defend those guys. Sikura, he’s a different level, he’s the guy that really makes the whole thing go. I don’t know who can control that top line — they get you in a lot of ways.’’
“We took really big steps this year. This was a huge challenge for us. We showed well [Friday] night and thought we could play another game like that tonight, but the scoring chances we gave up were too high quality. We were predicted to finish last in the league this year and I don’t think that will be the case next year.’’
