Senior Mike Robinson made 31 saves for UNH but the Wildcats fell 2-1 to UConn at the Whittemore Center on Friday. (UNH courtesy photo by Jack Bouchard)

DURHAM – Sophomore defenseman Kalle Eriksson (Leksand, Sweden) found the back of the net for the Wildcats and senior goalie Mike Robinson of Bedford made 31 saves but the University of New Hampshire men’s hockey team fell to UConn, 2-1, at the Whittemore Center on Friday afternoon.

Roman Kinal buried a loose puck in front of the net to give UConn a 2-1 lead at 1:16 of the third period. The Wildcats are now 1-2-1 (1-2-1 Hockey East), while the Huskies improve to 3-4-1 (3-4-1 Hockey East).

The two teams are back in action today as they complete the home-and-home series at UConn at 4 p.m. This will be the first ever meeting between the teams at Freitas Ice Forum in Storrs, Conn.

At 16:47 of the first period, Eriksson rocketed a one-timer on the power play to the back of the net from a pass by senior forward Patrick Grasso (Ankney, Iowa) to give the ‘Cats a 1-0 lead. Junior forward Jackson Pierson (Zionsville, Ind.) also posted an assist on the goal.

UConn outshot UNH by a 12-6 margin in the first. The ‘Cats went 1-2 on the power play while the Huskies went 0-2.

UConn’s John Spetz found the back of the net for the Huskies at 12:59 of the second and tied the game at 1-1.

Both teams had 12 shots on goal in the second period. Each team went 0-1 on the power play.

At 18:54 Robinson was pulled while the ‘Cats were also on the power play for a two-man-advantage but were unable to capitalize for the 2-1 final score.