HENNIKER, N.H. – Two goals by Alex LaPlante and Andrew Kormos recorded 50 saves, as the New England College Men's Ice Hockey team pulled off a 3-2 win over Plymouth State University, in non-conference action, Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS
Score: New England College 3, Plymouth State University 2

Records: Pilgrims (7-2-1, 2-2-1 NEHC) | Panthers (8-3-1, 5-0-1 MASCAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

New England College got on the board early, as they scored in the opening minute of the game. Hunter Hall's initial shot was saved by the Panthers netminder, but the rebound found Connor Inger right in the slot, who fired home the empty-net goal. The Pilgrims would carry a 1-0 lead into the second period, despite being outshot 18-15 in the opening 20 minutes.

NEC would add two scores late in the second period, as Alex LaPlante registered both tallies. With 4:50 remaining in the middle frame, Jhuwon Davis forced a PSU turnover in the offensive zone, before sliding the puck to the far post to find LaPlante with the tap in. Two minutes later, Linus Udd Hellgren chipped the puck off the board to find a streaking LaPlante who deked around the Panthers' goalie, to push the lead to 3-0 NEC.

Plymouth State had a late push in the third period, as they outshot New England College 21-8. Jeromey Rancourt and JR Barone were able to score for the Panthers, but the 'Grims lead was too great to overcome.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Andrew Kormos recorded 50 shots for NEC.
• PSU won the battle in the shot department (54-36), while also maintaining a slight advantage in the faceoff circle (33-27).
• Plymouth went 1-for-6 on the man advantage, while the Pilgrims went 0-for-5.
• The Pilgrims are now 4-0-0 this year against the MASCAC.
• NEC extends their all-time series to 18-2-1.

UP NEXT

• NEC at #15 Trinity., Sunday, Jan. 2, 4:00 pm
• PSU at Fitchburg State Univ., Thursday, Jan. 6, 6:30 pm