DURHAM — Call it sweet revenge

Call it a statement game.

But whatever you do, call the University of New Hampshire's 4-1 win over Boston University it its Hockey East opener Saturday night a good old-fashioned butt-kicking.

The Wildcats (3-0, 1-0) spotted the Terriers (1-1, 1-1) a 1-0 lead before scoring four unanswered goals over the first and second periods to the delight of a sellout crowd of 6,501 at the Whittemore Center.

It was just seven months ago that BU beat UNH in the quarterfinals of the Hockey East tournament, ensuring that the 'Cats would miss the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1996.

How would UNH come back this season?

If three games are a fair indication, Wildcat Nation has to be feeling pretty good.

UNH coach Dick Umile said his team wanted to make a statement that “our program likes contending for the top.”

With a week off for both teams, rest was not an issue, but UNH clearly looked like a team with more energy. The 'Cats were certainly sharper.

If Umile could pick out anything he wasn't happy with during win No. 502 it was the eight penalties his team took in this sometimes chippy contest, but they managed to kill off all of them.

“I think we have a little bit of everything, but we certainly don't want to beat ourselves,” Umile said.

The Terriers swept three games from UNH during the regular season last year, took two of three to knock the 'Cats out of the Hockey East playoffs and it liked the same old thing when they struck for the first goal 43 seconds into Saturday's game off a UNH turnover.

But BU coach Jack Parker said these are different teams from a year ago. The core of his team was turned over — the Terriers are carrying seven freshmen, including both goalies — and UNH has come back almost in tact. UNH goalie Casey DeSmith said he was thinking about this game all week.

“Payback is certainly sweet,” the sophomore from Rochester said after making 24 saves.

UNH was voted fourth in the preseason Hockey East coaches poll, one spot behind BU, but Parker said he voted them second. Maybe the wily old coach knows what he's talking about.

The Wildcats showed their veteran cool by striking back for a pair of quick goals to take a 2-1 lead at the first intermission.

John Henrion got the first one at 8:52 when he beat a pair of Terriers for the puck just outside the blue line and dashed toward the goal, firing off a quick wrist shot to beat BU goalie Sean Maguire through the pads.

UNH took the lead 18 seconds later on a great effort by Nick Sorkin.

Connor Hardowa set the goal up when he chased the puck behind the BU goal and slid a pass in front to Sorkin. Maguire stopped the initial shot, but Sorkin swatted at the rebound from his knees for his second goal of the year.

The `Cats had a chance to build on its lead before the intermission, twice hitting the post with open shots in front. They hit the post a couple of more times later in the game.

The game turned for good early in the second period when UNH killed off a BU power play that ended when BU's Wade Megan was whistled for hooking. The 'Cats scored off the ensuing faceoff when Eric Knodel circled unmolested in front of net before snapping a high shot that beat Maguire glove side at 1:30.

“We got right back on our heels after they scored,” Parker said. “That was kind of a deflater for us.”

Scott Pavelski made it 4-1 five minutes later by converting the hard work of Matt Willows with a one-timer past Maguire.

It was rough initiation for Maguire, who was lifted midway through the second period of his first collegiate start after giving up four goals on 14 shots.

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Jim Fennell may be reached at jfennell@unionleader.com.