STORRS, Conn.-Despite striking for the first tally of the game, the American International hockey team surrendered two late first period goals in a 2-1 loss to the Connecticut Huskies in the series finale between the two teams at the Frietas Ice Forum.

The loss sets AIC back to 6-17-1 and 5-11-1 in Atlantic Hockey play, while Connecticut elevates their record to 12-7-4 and 10-4-3 in the AHA.

The Yellow Jackets netted the first goal of the contest when senior defenseman Nick Campanale (Chester Springs, Penn.) sent a pass down low to freshman right wing Dan Clairmont (Bracebridge, Ont.); Clairmont sent the puck to a streaking junior center Brandon Fagerheim (Calgary, Alb.), who wired a one-time wrist shot top shelf at 15:16 for his fourth of the year.

However, Connecticut tallied two quick goals, with senior center Jordan Sims banging back a rebound for his sixth of the year at 18:19 and then junior defenseman Jacob Poe blasting a shot through a screen at 19:02 for his third of the campaign.

After that, despite several outstanding chances at both ends, the nets were kept clean; AIC had two good chances late, with junior right wing Jason Popek (Hamilton, Ont.) hitting the crossbar with just over four minutes left and senior goalkeeper Matt Grogan making a splits-save on freshman right wing David Norris (Calgary, Alb.) with just over a minute to go to save the game and the 2-1 win for UConn.

Freshman Hunter Leisner (Garland, Texas) fell to 4-8-1 on the year, stopping 24 out of 26 shots; Grogan improved to 9-7-2 with 20 stops on 21 shots.

AIC returns to the Olympia next weekend for a two-game set with defending conference playoff champion Canisius, with Friday's contest starting at 7:05 p.m. and Saturday's at 3:05 p.m.