:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26463949/claywitt.0.jpg)
Providence, RI -- For over 59 minutes of the game Providence was able to keep Northeastern off the scoreboard, and the Friars held a 1-0 lead, but then Braden Pimm took over. The Northeastern senior scored the equalizer with 34 seconds to play and then capped off the night with the game-winner 12 seconds into overtime.
Providence (13-4-4) once again was unable to put together a full 60 minutes of hockey to win a game. It has been a recurring trend for the Friars throughout the season and one that will surely bite them if they don't fix the problem.
Several key Friars didn't play their best games, including freshman defenseman and Buffalo Sabres draft pick Anthony Florentino. The usually stellar rookie coughed up the puck on multiple occasions and didn't look himself out there. Jon Gillies probably would like the game-tying goal back and he also allowed some uncharacteristic rebound opportunities.
"I thought we fought the puck out there," said Providence coach Nate Leaman. "I thought we played a decent game, but we couldn't get the second one. We had plenty of chances."
That sums up Providence's night quite well. The Friars will have an opportunity for a bounce back performance on Friday night at Conte Forum against Boston College.
The win meant two huge points for the Huskies who let one slip away against Providence last month. Northeastern had a 3-0 lead at Matthews Arena before giving up three consecutive goals and having to settle for just a point.
Braden Pimm scored his 11th and 12th goals of the season in a span of 46 seconds. Northeastern is 7-2-1 when the Fort St. John, British Columbia native scores a goal this season.
Clay Witt was phenomenal in goal for Jim Madigan's team. The Brandon, Fla. native made 38 saves on 39 shots, but several were highlight quality. The real question mark heading into this season was the goaltending position for NU and Witt has answered the bell.
The defense still had some lapses, but kept a lot of Providence's opportunities wide. Performances like the one in Hanover where the Huskies defense allowed eight goals to Dartmouth give the naysayers reason to be pessimistic, but tonight's 2-1 conference road victory over a top ten team certainly provides optimism for NU faithful.
Northeastern (12-6-3) takes the ice at Fenway Park on Saturday against UMass-Lowell in the first of the two Frozen Fenway games. Puck drop has been moved up to 2:15 p.m. in the hopes both games will be over by the start of the New England Patriots playoff game at 8:15 p.m.
Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting, NHL Draft prospects and the AHL for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.