NEWPORT, R.I. – The New England College men's ice hockey team suffered a heartbreaking loss against Salve Regina University on Saturday from the Howard Rink in Newport, Rhode Island in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) action.
THE BASICS
Score: New England College 4, Regina University 5
Records: Pilgrims 2-10-1, 1-6-1 NEHC | Seahawks 8-4-3, 6-4-0 NEHC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- SRU got themselves situated early on in the first period of action as the Seahawks found the back of the net in just 4:57 into the conference game, 1-0. Down the stretch the Seahawks scored yet again at 7:30 even after being shorthanded due to a penalty endured on their behalf still resulted in 2-0 lead over the 'Grims by the end of the first period.
- NEC did not waver to the situation at hand faced in front of them as they only needed a mere 15 seconds into the second period to strike back and score their first goal of the game thanks to freshman forward Egor Osipik (Minsk, Belarus) that was assisted by senior forward Jesper Tarkiainen (Naperville, Ill.).
- A little under five minutes later the 'Grims come up on yet another goal that proved to be the equalizer in this NEHC clash. Senior forward David Novotny (Boca Raton, Fla.) was credited with the shorthanded goal that gave NEC a fighting chance to come back from the two goal deficit endured in the first period.
- In the final period of play NEC managed to rally back and take their first lead of the game thanks to capitalizing on a powerplay opportunity. Sophomore forward Jack Herron (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) made the most of this opportunity scoring just 1:34 into the period that was assisted by sophomore forward Gunnar Sibley (Monticello, Minn.) making that three straight goals for NEC, 3-2.
- Things didn't cease there for NEC as they were bestowed another powerplay that led to another scoring opportunity for this time sophomore center Paul Waldhauser (Klagenfurt, Austria) from Sibley and Tarkiainen to make it a 4-2 game with 12:36 remaining in the period.
- The Seahawks made the most out of the time remaining and found a way to score on two different occasions that forced the game to go into overtime, 4-4.
- In the end NEC's efforts would come up short as the Seahawks scored the game winning goal in overtime to earn the conference win over the 'Grims, 5-4.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC freshman goaltender Anthony Beaulieu (Lawrence, Mass.) had 35 saves in net tonight for the 'Grims.
- SRU sophomore goaltender Selby Warren (Toronto, Ont.) gathered 35 saves on the night.
- Shots on goal were in favor of the Seahawks by just a mere shot, 40-39.
- Three 'Grims in Sibley, Osipik, and Tarkiainen recorded two points.
- SRU junior forward Jonathan Hammel (Duxbury, Mass.) had the game-high in points with three recording two goals and an assist.
- Powerplays proved to be a factor in this game as NEC scored twice while SRU couldn't make the most of the chances presented to them. NEC was 2-for-7 and SRU went 0-for-4.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the ice on Friday, January 17th at 7:30 PM when they play the Thoroughbreds of Skidmore College from Lee Clement Arena.
- SRU plays their next game at the University of Southern Maine on Friday, January 17th at 7:00 PM
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