Men's Ice Hockey Drops OT Decision at Salve Regina

Middletown, R.I. (January 14, 2023) - The Golden Bears took to the road on Saturday for the away part of the home-and-home weekend series with Salve Regina. After a tough loss on Friday, the Golden Bears looked to bounce back with a big win. However, Salve Regina had only lost once at home in regular time going into this one. Seth Benson's overtime goal would help keep that record alive.

Records:

• Western New England: 5-9-1 (3-7-1)
• Salve Regina University: 7-5-1 (6-4-1)

How it Happened:

The first period started quickly, with WNE jumping on the scoreboard early. 1:45 into the game, Tanner Coleman collected the puck from Billy Hefferle in the Seahawks' zone and sent a shot on net that Anthony Del Tufo saved; however, the puck deflected off of the goalie's pads to Jason Diamond, who sent the puck into the back of the net. The Golden Bears had an early 1-0 lead. Salve Regina went on the power play shortly after. They got one shot on WNE's goaltender Colton Lancaster. Lancaster made the save and kept the Seahawks out of the net on the power play. The Golden Bears would then have their chance on the power play a few minutes after the WNE penalty ended. WNE got one shot on Del Tufo before Salve Regina was called for a second penalty, and the Golden Bears were given a 5-3 opportunity. However, the Golden Bears could not connect as Salve Regina killed off both penalties and kept the score at 1-0. With 7:02 left in the first period, the Seahawks looked to have the equalizing goal; however, as a goal was scored, a slashing penalty was called against Salve Regina, and the goal was disallowed. With 5:37 left in the first period, SRU had a short-handed opportunity, but Lancaster made a huge save with SRU on the breakaway to keep the Golden Bears in the lead. To finish up an exciting first period, John D'Aniello sent a shot off the pipe for WNE. The period would therefore end with WNE up 1-0. Lancaster made eight saves to Del Tufo's five.

The second period got off to another exciting start. After both teams traded shots on both ends, Salve Regina would go on a power play that would turn into a five-on-three advantage. The Seahawks capitalized on that advantage and scored their first goal of the game. After a faceoff win from Salve Regina, Joseph Kile sent a pass to Brendan Kim. Kim then sent the puck to Dylan Price, who was camped out right next to the goal, and sent a one-timer into the back of the net. That was a power-play goal, and the score now read 1-1. 8:57 into the second period, the Seahawks struck again. Matt Gasuik sent a pass to Braden Paquette, who put a shot on net. Lancaster saved the shot, but it rebounded to Ian Tookenay, who slotted it past Lancaster to give the Seahawks a 2-1 lead with a little more than 11 minutes left in the period. Shortly after, WNE went on the power play, which would also turn into a five-on-three advantage. After killing off the first penalty, SRU tried to keep WNE out of the zone, but after Del Tufo stopped Jason Diamond from finding the back of the net, Diamond found Shane Miller for the one-timer goal. Miller tied the game up at two goals apiece, and that's how it would stay going into the third period. Del Tufo made seven saves during the second period, whereas Lancaster made ten. 

Both teams started the period with ferocity, with the score tied going into the third period. Both were looking to end the game with a win. It was Dylan Price striking again, though, to give Salve Regina the lead for the second time during the game. Braedan Young gave the puck to Anthony Azzano, who sent a shot on net. It went off Price and past Lancaster to put SRU up 3-2 early in the third period. WNE took little time to answer. 5:35 into the third period, Sam Mitchell evened up the score. The puck was trapped behind the SRU net, and then, suddenly, the puck shot out of the pile of players and to Mitchell, who helped the puck meet the back of the net on the power play. The score was now 3-3. Towards the end of the period, Lancaster was tested on big opportunities twice. Both times, he made sprawling saves to keep the score level and send it to overtime. That third period saw Lancaster make 13 saves and Del Tufo make six. 

Overtime did not last long. After WNE made a quick move toward net, the puck was lost, and Salve Regina found themselves with a two-on-one opportunity. Brendan Kim had the puck for SRU and skated up the left side of the ice. Kim got close to net and passed it to Seth Benson, who sent the puck past Lancaster for the win. The Salve Regina Seahawks beat the Western New England Golden Bears 4-3 in overtime. 

Inside the Crease:

• The second game of the home-and-home series between WNE and Salve Regina was another close one that came down to the end.
• Jason Diamond scored 1:45 into the first period on an assist by Tanner Coleman and Billy Hefferle to give WNE an early lead.
• At the 6:23 mark in the second period, Dylan Price scored a power-play goal off assists from Joseph Kile and Brendan Kim.
• Two and a half minutes later, Ian Tookenay scored to put Salve Regina in the lead. Matt Gasuik and Braden Paquette got the assists.
• Shane Miller scored a power-play goal with 7:42 left in the second period to level the score at two. Jason Diamond and Daton Garcia got the assists.
• Dylan Price got a second goal 53 seconds into the third period. Braeden Young and Anthony Azzano had assists.
• Sam Mitchel tied the game at three goals almost five minutes later. Kyle Knight was given the assist on the play.
• Seth Benson ended the game in overtime with a quick goal from Brendan Kim's assist.
• WNE lost to Salve Regina 4-3. Lancaster made 31 saves, and Del Tufo made 18.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will be back in action next Friday, January 20, at 8:00 pm as they welcome Wentworth to the Olympia Ice Center.
• The Seahawks will stay home and welcome in Endicott for a matchup on Friday, January 20, at 7:30 pm.