Women’s Ice Hockey Shutout by Nichols College, 4-0

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 30, 2022) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team hosted Hockey Fights Cancer Night from the Olympia Ice Center on Sunday night where the visiting Nichols College Bison would score all four goals tonight, on their way to a 4-0 win, their second straight over the Golden Bears. 

Records:

• Western New England: 6-12-2 (4-9-0 CCC)
• Nichols College: 9-7-1 (6-6-1 CCC)

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears were unable to get much generated on the offensive end in the first period as Nichols College came away with 12 shots on goal in the first, to Western New England's five. Nichols opened the scoring in the first period when Mel McAleer took a pass from Rebecca Taylor and took a slap shot that got passed Rieley Jessie-Gerelli and went into the net giving Nichols a 1-0 lead. Isabella Port would also add an assist on the play. Play stalled as the Bison generated more chances in the period, though Jessie-Gerellistayed square to the shots between the pipes. WNE would surrender their second goal of the night when Grace Melanson put in the goal on assists from Megan Buxton and Meghan McElaney. The Bison would take a 2-0 lead heading into the second period. 

Jessie-Gerelli came away with 16 second periods saves, stopping 15 shots on goal by the Bison. Western New England would come away with seven shots on goal in the second period as Alyssa Murphy, Helen Gillespy, Sydney Conte, and Alexa Paoli would each get a shot in the period with Conte picking up two. At the 5:13 mark, Kayla Currin would score the Bison's third goal of the night on an assist from Katherine Segalla to give Nichols the 3-0 lead. The lead would stand through 40 minutes of play for the Bison. 

Nichols would capitalize on a powerplay goal just 5:16 into the third period, nearly 20 minutes from their third goal of the game. Kara Santoro was able to knock home a rebound chance for the Bison on an assist from Mel McAller to give Nichols the 4-0 lead. Western New England would generate chances in the third period, putting together a game best nine shots on goal in the period, though they were unable to solve Victoria Bakopano, who made all 21 saves in the 4-0 win for Nichols. 

Inside the Crease:

• WNE took 21 shots on goal on the night, while Nichols threw 37 shots on goal, nine in the final frame. 
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made 33 saves for Western New England in the loss. 
• Western New England went 0-1 on the powerplay, unable to capitalize on their lone advantage in the second period. 
• Western New England won 19 faceoffs on the night, with Abby Hay winning ten of those. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears head to UNE for their final time this season on Saturday, February 5 at 4:00 pm from the Harold Alfond Forum. 
• Nichols hosts Rivier University at Levy Rink on Tuesday, February 1 at 4:40 pm.