Golden Bears Ride Big Second Period to 3-1 Win

West Springfield, Mass. (January 28, 2023) - The Golden Bears returned home after a disappointing loss to Suffolk, hoping to win against the Rams at home and split the two-game series. The Golden Bears would jump on them early and get that much-needed win by a score of 3-1.

Records:

• Western New England: 7-11-1 (5-9-1)
• Suffolk University: 6-11-2 (4-10-1)

How it Happened:

The game got underway with Colton Lancaster and Cal Wilcox back in net for the two teams. Demitrios Stefanou won the opening faceoff, and the Golden Bears started to hunt for a goal. After Wilcox saved the first shot on net, Jordan Giacomin would get the Golden Bears on the board. John D'Aniello sent the puck to Kyle Knight, who had it on the left side of the goal and fed a pass across the goalie to Giacomin on the other side, who rifled a wrist shot past Wilcox. WNE had the lead 1-0. A few minutes later, WNE would go on the penalty kill. Lancaster did not have to make a save during the power play, as the defense killed it off. With 6:22 left in the opening period, the Golden Bears were called for another penalty. Suffolk's power play was short-lived, as 26 seconds after the call, Suffolk was called for interference, and the teams skated 4-4. Then, as WNE was getting on the power play, hooking was called on WNE, and the teams again went back to 4-4 action. As the period ended, WNE was called for one more penalty that would continue into the second period. After one period of play, both goalies had nine saves, but the Golden Bears led 1-0.

The second period started with WNE on the penalty kill. The Golden Bears killed it off, but then Suffolk held, and WNE was on the power play. With 19 seconds remaining in the power play, Garcia sent a pass to Stefanou on the right side of the ice. Stefanou found Billy Hefferle on the left side, and Hefferle pushed it home to give the Golden Bears a 2-0 lead early in the second period. Almost three minutes later, Justin Sullivan made the lead three. Peter Izzo was given the assist as Izzo sent the puck to Sullivan on the right side of the ice, and Sullivan found an opening and put it past Wilcox. The Golden Bears led 3-0 now. That was the end of Wilcox's night in net as Jarret Bovarnick would take his place after the goal. The game slowed down a little, but the Rams got one back on the power play almost halfway into the second period. Peter Nugent gave the puck to Ryan Harrigan, who slung it to Devin Lowe and Lowe found the nylon net behind Lancaster. The score was 3-1, with another half of the game left to be played. There were two more penalties called after that—one on each team. However, neither team could get their power play to produce another goal, and WNE went into the third period with a two-goal lead. Lancaster made 16 saves in the second.

The Third period saw Stefanou win the opening faceoff. However, Lancaster was the first goalie tested in the period as Lancaster made two great saves. Not much would concern the Golden Bears in the final period of play. Lancaster played a shutout third period, and the defense kept turning the Rams away. WNE held on to win 3-1. Lancaster had 32 saves on the night, only letting up one goal. 

Inside the Crease:

• The second game of a home-and-home series took place between the Golden Bears and the Rams.
• Jordan Giacomin got the Golden Bears on the board first. John D'Aniello and Kyle Knight were given assists.
• Bill Hefferle scored a power-play goal 3:12 into the second period. Dalton Garcia and Demitrios Stefanou were credited with the assists.
• Justin Sullivan got goal three on the assist from Peter Izzo.
• Devin Lowe got a goal back for the Rams. Peter Nugent and Ryan Harrigan were given assists. 
• The Golden Bears won 3-1, and Colton Lancaster made 32 saves.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will return to action next Friday, February 3, at 8:00 pm. They will host Endicott in that matchup.
• The Rams will return home to host UNE on the same day at 6:00 pm.