Men’s Ice Hockey’s Late Comeback Not Enough as Geshan Tallies Two in 5-4 Loss to No. 7 Endicott

BEVERLY, Mass. (November 20, 2021) – The Western New England men's ice hockey team saw themselves grab the game's first goal and two out of the first three goals in the contest though saw the hosting No. 7 Endicott College Gulls get the next four goals of the contest in Western New England's 5-4 loss on Saturday night. 

Records: 

• Western New England: 3-4 (2-4 CCC)
• No. 7 Endicott College: 5-1-1 (4-1-1 CCC)

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears got the start that they were looking for as they looked to bounce back after a 4-1 loss to Endicott just two days prior. On the powerplay, the Golden Bears blueline was able to move the puck as Shane Miller sent a pass to Billy Hefferle who found Connor Geshan just below the left circle. Geshan was able to take a wrist shot that got by GK Elijah Harris to give Western New England the early 1-0 lead. Endicott would quickly retaliate with a tally to even the score when Connor Amsley was found on the backdoor by teammate Eric Manoukian to even the score at one. 

In the back-and-forth period, Western New England would score next when Geshan collected his second of the night and third overall on the season. Both Hefferle and Miller received assists for WNE at the midway point of the first period to give Western New England their lead back. As they did after the first Golden Bears goal, the Gulls would quickly respond, netting their second of the game when Zach Mazur picked up an unassisted tally just one minute and 31 seconds after the Geshan tally to even the score at two. Endicott outshot WNE 19-9 in the first period while Colten Lancaster came away with 17 first period saves. 

The Gulls took control of the second period as they scored the only two goals of the period. Derek Contessa picked up an assisted tally 3:51 into the period, while teammate Connor Beatty scored 11:38 into the period to give Endicott the 5-2 lead. The Gulls took 18 second period shots while Western New England came away with just six in the period. Lancaster stopped 16 shots, totaling 35 saves through two periods of play. 

The Golden Bears would fight back with momentum towards the end of the third period and would break the streak of four straight goals scored by Endicott by getting one of their own with 4:10 remaining in the contest as Marko Bohatiuk netted a goal from Shane Miller and Jordan Giacomin to get the Golden Bears within striking distance again. Bohatiuk nets his second of the season for WNE. In the final stages of the third period, Western New England would score their fourth goal of the game to make it a one goal game. WNE captain Nolan Zweep found twine for the first time this season to get his team within a goal with one minute to play. The Golden Bears would be unable to tally the game tying goal, falling to Endicott College 5-4. 

Inside the Crease:

• Golden Bears GK Colten Lancaster came away with 46 saves on 51 shots faced in the contest, good for a season high. Lancaster has made 90 saves in his last two starts and 265 total saves this season. Lancaster now has a .917 save %.
• Shane Miller collected three assists in the defeat tonight. Miller was a +3 on the ice and has collected 10 points in his last four games (1 G, 9 A). 
• Connor Geshan put together two goals for the Golden Bears, collecting goals two and three on the season. 
• Endicott saw Mitch Shaheen collect a goal and an assist in the win while going 9/14 at the faceoff dot. 
• Endicott outshot Western New England 51-27 in the contest while both team registered a powerplay goal.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England travels to Southern New Hampshire University on Saturday, November 27 at 1:40 pm for the Stovepipe Tournament that will also involve Albertus Magnus College and Fitchburg State University along with SNHU. 
• Endicott College hosts Wesleyan (Conn.) on Tuesday, November 23 at 7:00 pm in a non-conference match.