Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Sophomore goaltender Ian Edwards (Linden, Mich.) recorded 30 saves as the University of New England returned to action after a four-week layoff to shut out Suffolk University, 3-0, in a non-league men's ice hockey game played Saturday evening at the Biddeford Ice Arena.

The Nor'easters won for the first time in their last five starts to improve to 3-6-2, while the Rams suffered their ninth consecutive setback to drop to 2-9.

UNE would get the only offense it would need a man down at 10:14 of the first when first-year Nick Kolb (Virginia Beach, Va.) slid a pass across the slot that sophomore Matt Del Giudice (Oakland, Maine) one-timed from just in front of the left side of the crease to give Big Blue a 1-0 lead.

The Nor'easters doubled their advantage at the 14:43 mark of the second frame after junior Russ Franey (York, Maine) found first-year Fred Hein (North Reading, Mass.). Hein, playing in his first collegiate game, rushed in alone behind the Suffolk defense and beat sophomore goalie Cam Kelley (Brighton, Mass.).

Big Blue would add another tally just 32 seconds later when sophomore Zach Lokey (Elizabethtown, Pa.) went top shelf for his sixth marker of the year. First-year Chris Glover (McFarland, Wisc.) assisted on the play.

Edwards was strong in the final period to make the lead stand up. He squelched a breakaway opportunity by Ram sophomore Wes Bonnell (Flenton, Del.) two minutes into the period, and finished the frame with 17 stops.

Kelley registered 32 saves for the Rams.

The Nor'easters are idle until next Friday (Jan. 13) when they travel to Henniker, N.H. for an ECAC East clash with New England College.

Suffolk hosts Franklin Pierce University Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m.