Men's Ice Hockey Drops 5-2 Contest at Salve Regina

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (January 22, 2022) – The Western New England University men's ice hockey team traveled to Salve Regina University on Saturday night for the second half of a home and home, back to back stretch with the Seahawks. WNE was able to grab the game's first goal of the game though saw Salve answer with four straight, dropping the contest by a final score of 4-1. 

Records:

• Western New England: 4-10-1 (2-9 CCC)
• Salve Regina University: 11-4 (9-2 CCC)

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears, who are playing the Seahawks for the second straight night started off differently than they did at their home rink just 24 hours ago. WNE was able to take advantage of a powerplay opportunity and score the game's first goal. After the puck failed to get out of the defensive end for the Seahawks, Conor Leach saw the puck bounce nearly away from him, though was able to make a diving effort to center the puck to teammate Kyle Knight, who was all alone in front of the cage. Knight was able to take a quick snapshot past the starting goaltender for Salve Regina Levi Mitchell to give the Golden Bears a powerplay goal and the early 1-0 lead. Just over five minutes later, Salve Regina would come back with a goal of their own to even the score when Braden Paquette found Mitch Walinski who was able to skate into open ice and take a shot over the blocker of Anthony Aureliano and into the top left corner of the net to even the score at one. WNE took 12 shots in the period. 

In the second period, Salve Regina would be able to convert on the next goal of the game to take their first lead of the game. Salve's Spencer Stanley took a slapshot from the point that found its way on Aureliano, who made the initial save, though let the rebound squeak out to his left-hand side where Damon Zimmer was able to tap in the chance to give the Seahawks the 2-1 advantage. Quickly after their second goal of the game, the Seahawks would dive in for their third of the night to take a 3-1 lead. Seth Benson would find a loose puck behind the offensive cage and skate all the way around to the tops of the cirles before uncorking a shot up past the glove of Aureliano and into the back of the net to give Salve the 3-1 lead. With 24 seconds remaining in the period, Salve would pick up their third and final goal of the period when Mitch Walinski notched his second of the game. WNE came up with just three second period shots, none that got past the Salve Regina goaltender.

Two goals in under a minute, one by each team, would be the only scoring in the period. A penalty shot goal for Salve Regina would give them the 5-1 lead, while WNE would get a goal from Connor Geshan on assists from Shane Miller and Billy Hefferle. The game would end with a final score of 5-2. 

Inside the Crease:

• Anthony Aureliano made 44 saves in the loss for the Golden Bears. WNE is 0-6-1 in their last seven games. 
• Both teams combined for big penalty minutes again, with WNE creating 11 infractions for 22 penality minutes, while Salve Regina created 36 penalty minutes on ten infractions.
• Western New England could manage just eight shots through the final 40 minutes of the game. 
• Lliam Christiano went 14-24 at the faceoff dot. 

Up Next on the Schedule: 

• WNE sets their sights on Suffolk University for a 12:30 matinee with the Rams on Wednesday, January 26. 
• Salve Regina will host UNE on Monday, January 24 for a 8:00 pm puck drop.