HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College men's ice hockey team lost 5-2 against visiting Norwich University on Saturday evening at Lee Clement Arena in Henniker, New Hampshire in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) action.
THE BASICS
Score: #15 Norwich University 5, New England College 2
Records: Pilgrims 4-18-1, 2-13-1, NEHC | Cadets 13-6-4, 10-3-3 NEHC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Down 2-1 late in the second period, the 'Grims scored the equalizer with 3:44 to go in the stanza when NEC freshman defenseman Cam Perez (West Hartford, Conn.) scored his first career goal, assisted by junior defenseman Connor Lefkof (Frisco, Texas). The teams headed in the third knotted at two apiece.
- In the third period, the Cadets, ranked 15th in the nation in the latest national poll, found the back of the net three times, putting the game way.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC senior goaltender Kai Tomita (Misawa, Japan), playing in possibly the final home game of his collegiate career, tallied 36 saves on the day for the Pilgrims.
- Norwich freshman goalie Bryce Walcarius (Aylmer, On.) picked up the win with 21 saves between the pipes for the Cadets.
- NEC junior forward Wyatt Andres (Brainerd, Minn.) gave the Pilgrims a 1-0 lead just 5:08 into the game, that assisted by freshman forward Gunnar Sibley (Monticello, Minn.).
- The Cadets saw goals from junior forwards Paul Schmid (Linz, Austria) and Clark Kerner (Kansas City, Kan.), sophomores Devon Thibodeau (Pelham, ON) and Nick Cordeiro (Mississauga, ON) and freshman defenseman Cooper Bertrand (Caledon, On.), with Schmid's proving to be the eventual game-winner.
SENIOR DAY
- Prior to the game, the New England College men's ice hockey program and the NEC athletics department recognized this year's senior class as part of senior day. The class of Tomita, forward Joey Olsen (Mansfield, Mass.), defenseman Zach Nelson (Hudson, Mass.), senior right-wing Tim Lopez (Fort Collins, Colo.) and forward David Novotny (Boca Raton, Fla.) were honored by coaches, teammates, family members and fans for all of their accomplishments at NEC both on and off the field. Although their time with the program may be coming to an end, they will forever be a part of the 'Grims family.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the ice on Friday when they travel to the University of Southern Maine for a 7:00 p.m. game against the Huskies in NEHC action.
- Norwich plays their next game at Babson College, that also coming on Friday at 7:00 p.m.
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