HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College men's ice hockey team saw their home opener spoiled as they fell 4-0 to visiting UMass-Boston on Friday night at the Lee Clement Arena in Little East Conference (LEC). 

The Beacons managed to get an early goal just 2:38 into the first period and followed it up with another with just 47 seconds remaining in the period to take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. 

NEC had two power-play opportunities in the second period, but the Beacons killed both to keep the 'Grims scoreless. The Pilgrims received two more chances in the third but struggled to find the back of the UMass-Boston net. 

The visitors scored an insurance goal with 11:55 left in the third period as Jakub Teply netted his second of the game. They scored once more inside the final two minutes of the game to secure the 4-0 conference win. 

Sophomore Anthony Beaulieu (Lawrence, Mass.) made 30 saves in the loss while Connor McDonough stopped 24 shots in the shutout. For NEC, freshman Jack Brennan (Hingham, Mass.) and junior Christophe Petit (Chelsea, Quebec) each had three blocked shots in the game. 

The team returns to action tomorrow at 4:00 PM as they welcome UMass-Dartmouth into town.  

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