UNH Wildcats Edge UMass in OT, Storm into Hockey East Semis

DURHAM, N.H. — The University of New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey team advanced to the Hockey East Conference semifinals with a 3-2 overtime victory over UMass on March 12, 2025, at the sold-out Whittemore Center. The capacity 6,600-seat arena in Durham erupted as the Wildcats, coached by Mike Souza in his seventh season, outlasted their rivals in a playoff matchup that showcased the intensity of New England hockey rivalries.

Trailing late, UNH mounted a comeback fueled by their deep roster of 22 players averaging 22 years old, securing the win to extend their 2024-25 season—the program's 99th and 41st in Hockey East. This triumph sets up a semifinal showdown against the UMass Lowell River Hawks, who recently dispatched the Wildcats 3-2 in extra time, adding fuel to the rematch on the horizon. Souza's squad, representing Granite State pride, now eyes deeper NCAA tournament runs from their Whittemore home.

New Hampshire hockey faithful packed the Whittemore Center, a hub for Wildcats' faithful since its opening, turning the night into a sea of blue and white. The victory not only avenges regular-season setbacks but positions UNH strongly in playoff standings probabilities, keeping hopes high for a conference title run amid a competitive Hockey East field. As tickets for potential postseason games draw buzz, the Wildcats' resilience embodies the tough, overtime ethos of New Hampshire sports.