Men’s Ice Hockey Outlasts Post, 5-3

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Western New England University men's ice hockey team used another strong offensive effort to secure a 5-3 non-conference win over Post University at the Olympia Ice Center on Tuesday evening.

Top Performers
The Golden Bears were led by freshman Demitrios Stefanou (Oaklyn, N.J.), who powered the offense with two goals. Juniors Anthony Frati (Churchville, N.Y.) and Nolan Zweep (Abbotsford, B.C.), and sophomore Damien Dangueuger (Paris, France) each tallied a goal for Western New England.

Post received one goal each from senior Tyler Hackett (Branford, Conn.), junior Jake Raleigh (Raleigh, N.C.), and sophomore John Krapian (Lowell, Mass.).

Game Review
After a scoreless first period, the Golden Bears got on the board through Stefanou, who found himself on the end of a simple pass across the front of goal from senior Andrew Green (Plainview, N.Y.). Freshman John D'Aniello (Toms River, N.J.) initially found Green, earning his first career assist on the play.

Post found the equalizer midway through the second period courtesy of Hackett. Freshman Kieran Gardner (Ashburn, Va.) played a short pass to senior Matt Moreschi (Malden, Mass.), who eventually connected with Hackett. Hackett fired the puck through the Western New England defense to tie the game at one.

With just under five minutes to go in the second period, Stefanou scored his second of the night to give the Golden Bears a 2-1 lead, with assists from junior Adam Giacomin (Richmond Hill, Ont.) and senior Dom Blad (Springfield, Mass.).

A minute later, the Golden Bears extended their lead when Frati scored an unassisted goal. Frati recovered the puck in Western New England's defensive zone, and proceeded to bring the puck up the ice by himself through the Eagles defense to put the Golden Bears ahead 3-1.

Early in the third period, the Golden Bears scored again to increase their lead to 4-1. Zweep picked up the puck behind the Eagles' net, and found Dangueuger. Dangueuger ripped a shot from the point, and thanks to a deflection off a Post defender, the puck trickled its way past Post goaltender Joseph McLeod (Kelowna, B.C.).

Just a few minutes later, Post converted on a power play opportunity to cut the deficit to 4-2. After winning a faceoff in the Post offensive zone, Krapian played a 1-2 with Hackett, who set him up in front of the net.

With 4:31 to go in regulation, the Eagles cut the deficit down to one when freshman Jack Engdahl (New Hartford, N.Y.) dumped the puck back in front of the net to Raleigh, who tapped it past Western New England senior goalie Kyle Carducci (Rocky Hill, Conn.).

With Post pushing for an equalizer, the Eagles pulled McLeod in favor of an extra attacker late in regulation. The Golden Bears took advantage when Zweep chased down a loose puck and poked it into the empty net to secure the win for Western New England. Junior Luciano Bucci (Franklin Square, N.Y.) set Zweep up for the goal.

Notes
• Western New England scored five goals for the second consecutive game
• The win improves the Golden Bears to 2-0 in non-conference action.
• In addition to his two goals, Stefanou went 9-of-13 in the faceoff circle.

Up Next
Western New England (3-4-1) continues non-conference action this Sunday on the road at Johnson & Wales (RI). Post (2-5-1) returns home on Sunday to take on Bryn Athyn.