Men’s Ice Hockey Drops CCC Contest at Nichols College

DUDLEY, Mass. (February 10, 2023) – The Western New England men's ice hockey team couldn't come up with a win over the Bison of Nichols College on Friday night, falling 4-2 in a crucial CCC contest.

Records:

• Western New England: 7-14-1 (5-12-1 CCC)
• Nichols College: 9-13, (5-13 CCC)

How it Happened:

Western New England got off to the start they were looking for in the first period, controlling the play in the opening minutes. Nichols would turn up the pressure on WNE, though GK Colten Lancaster came up big for the Golden Bears, holding Nichols off the scoreboard. WNE would reward Lancaster's strong play with the opening goal on the other end of the ice to give the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead. Sam Mitchell would tally for WNE on assists from Matt Dougherty and John D'Aniello. The Bison would outshoot WNE 16-6 in the period, though WNE would come away with the 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.

The Bison would come out feisty in the second period and would grab an early goal to even the score, just two minutes into the contest. Josh Dickson would register a tally for Nichols on assists from Quinn McCarthy and Jack Lee to even the score. The Bison would grab their first lead of the game when Hunter Fraser rattled a shot past the WNE defense and goalkeeper. Nichols would have the upper hand in the period, grabbing four powerplay in the period to WNE's two, though neither team could capitalize on any PP chances in the period. Nichols would take the 2-1 lead into the second intermission, leading 29-12 in shots on goal.

The Golden Bears would battle back, scoring on the powerplay just six minutes into the third period when Justin Sullivan ripped a shot past Mattias Backstrom, evening the score in a crucial CCC game for the Golden Bears. Sam Mitchell and Matt Dougherty would register assists on the goal, evening the score at two. Just over a minute and a half later, Nichols would re-take the lead when Nathan Carl would find the back of the net on an assist from Kaiden Scott, giving Nichols a 3-2 lead. The Golden Bears would take a game best 14 shots on goal in the third period, though could not find the back of the net while Nichols would add one final tally, an empty netter, sealing the deal for the Bison, as Nichols took the 4-2 win over the Golden Bears.

Inside the Crease:

• Both Sam Mitchell and Matt Dougherty would record two points each for WNE in the loss. Mitchell scored a goal and picked up an assist while Dougherty would tally two assists.
• Colten Lancaster came away with 33 saves on 36 shots on goal faced.
• WNE would pick up 14 shots in the third period to Nichols' eight, though came away with just the one goal in the period, falling short in the game.
• WNE drops their third straight and is now 2-8 in their last ten.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE hosts No. 6 Curry College on Saturday, February 11 for Senior Night.