PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The New England College men's ice hockey team loses in the final minute of regulation at Johnson & Wales University (R.I.) on Saturday afternoon at the New England Sports Village in Providence, Rhode Island in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) action.  

THE BASICS 
Score: New England College 3, Johnson & Wales University (R.I.) 4 
Records: Pilgrims 3-16-1, 1-11-1 NEHC | Wildcats 5-12-2, 2-9-1 NEHC 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• NEC struck first in the first period at 12:13 into the game where freshman forward Gunnar Sibley (Monticello, Minn.) was finally able to put in the goal after consecutive rebounds off of two saves by JWU. Sibley was assisted by freshman forward Jack Herron (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) and freshman defenseman Cam Perez (West Hartford, Conn.). 
• The Wildcats answered with a putback of their own as senior forward Carter Elrod (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) was in on the second chance at the 4:08 mark in the second period. This would tie the game at one a-piece as Elrod was assisted by sophomore forward Cam Martin (Georgetown, Mass.) and freshman forward Brad Crook (Elmhurst, Ill.). 
• The 'Grims would take that personal as in 53 seconds later, Herron performed a Bobby Orr-esque goal where he went full steam ahead and snuck it in before tripping over the opposing goaltender. That sequence put NEC back on top, 2-1, as sophomore defenseman Hunter Meyer (Anchorage, Ala.) was credited with the helper. 
• Staying in the second period, JWU would tie it once again as sophomore forward Davis Bone (San Diego, Calif.) struck in an unbelievable goal with 9:07 remaining within a very tight angle as he was close to the goal line as he was assisted by sophomore forward Brendan Doyle (Stratham, N.H.). 
• With 4:10 left to go before the final period, NEC took advantage of a power play situation where Sibley fired in a goal from roughly 60 feet out that would put the 'Grims back on top 3-2. That score was assisted by Herron once again along with junior defenseman Connor Lefkof (Frisco, Texas). 
• Into the third period 7:56 in, Wildcats' Bone was able to tap in the puck that was fumbled by NEC's goaltender into a game-tying goal. Doyle and senior forward Brendan Shandley (Norfolk, Mass.) were credited with the assists. 
• With 39 seconds left into the game, JWU's senior forward Brent Rickett (Portland, Maine) put in an electric game-winning goal straight off a faceoff in the 'Grims territory as Bone, the Wildcats most active player in the afternoon, was the winner of the faceoff and was tallied on the assist and gave JWU a 4-3 win. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• NEC senior goaltender Kai Tomita (Misawa, Japan) finished the tough battle with 31 saves. 
• JWU freshman goaltender Jake Inzirillo (West Islip, N.Y.) contributed 35 saves in the win. 
• Both teams shot the puck in similar numbers, as the 'Grims finished on a 38-35 edge for shots on goal. 
• On the other hand, the Wildcats won the faceoff battle convincingly 57-25. 

UP NEXT 

• NEC is back on the ice on Friday, January 26th when they host the Thoroughbreds of Skidmore College at the Lee Clement Arena with puck-drop set to 7:00 PM. 
• JWU has their next game at the University of Southern Maine on Friday, January 26th at 7:00 PM and will be played at the USM Ice Arena. 

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.