Men’s Ice Hockey Falls Just Short Against No. 8 UNE

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 5, 2022) – The Western New England men's ice hockey team picked up their first lead of the season against the Nor'easters of the University of New England, though fell short in the third period, dropping a 5-3 contest on Saturday night from the Olympia Ice Center. 

Records:

• Western New England: 1-3, 0-2 CCC
• No. 8 University of New England: 2-0, 2-0 CCC

How it Happened:
Western New England got the scoring started early in the first period, after being trounced by the Nor'easters just less than 24 hours ago. Jason Diamond would find John D'Aniello, who would feed Western New England's Shane Miller, who potted his first goal of the season, kicking off Western New England's lead early. UNE wouldn't stay off the scoreboard for long as with just 5:40 remaining in the first period Daniel Winslow would fire a shot past Colten Lancaster on assists from Alex Sheehy and Jared Christy to give UNE their first goal of the night. Western New England took 20 shots in the opening frame while UNE came away with just nine. 

The Golden Bears would surrender their second powerplay goal of the night when Collin Heinold scored his first goal of the night on assists from Shea Courtmanche and Logan DiScanio to give the Nor'easters a 2-1 lead. Western New England would not go away quietly, however, as just 1:49 later John D'Aniello would score his second goal of the season. Shane Miller would make a pass to Matt Dougherty, who then found John D'Aniello, who beat UNE keeper Billy Girard through the five hole to even the score at two. The Nor'easters would quickly tally their third goal of the game when Collin Heinold buried his second goal of the period and second goal of the game on assisted from Cade Helmer and Ryan Kuzmich to give UNE their lead back, which stood at 3-2. Western New England would damage themselves with penalties all night, and with less than four minutes to play in the period, WNE would take another penalty. Western New England would, however, take advantage of some puck luck, when Shane Miller slashed the puck up the ice to a springing John D'Aniello, who placed the shot just under the crossbar and into the net to even the score a three. Western New England would end the period with 15 shots while UNE came away with ten. 

The Nor'easters would come away with much of the offensive chances in the third period, coming away with 16 shots in the period and would score the go-ahead goal midway through the period when Jared Christy took a blistering shot past Lancaster to give UNE a 4-3 lead. Daniel Winslow would add an empty net goal, as the University of New England would go on to beat Western New England 5-3 on Saturday night. 

Inside the Crease:

• John D'Aniello collected two goals and had an assist for WNE in the losing effort. 
• Colten Lancaster made 30 saves on 34 shots faced. 
• WNE was penalized eight times, accumulating 16 penalty minutes. UNE was 2/8 on those power play opportunities. WNE was 0/5 on their powerplay chances. 
• WNE outshot UNE 42-35 in the game, though UNE outshot WNE 16-7 in the final period.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will meet with Endicott College next Friday and Saturday, November 11 & 12, with November 11 being on the road, while November 12 will be a home contest. 
• UNE meets Curry for a home and home on the same dates.