Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Junior forward Brad Schuler (Delran, N.J.) scored three times and assisted on a fourth to help guide Skidmore College to a 9-4 victory over the University of New England in the ECAC Men's East Ice Hockey League opener played Friday evening (Nov. 2) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

Junior Vlad Gavrik (Kharkiv, Ukraine) added four assists for the Thoroughbreds (1-0), who posted all five of the goals scored in the 1st period to get out to a comfortable lead. Classmate Dave Dupuis (Kuujjuag, Quebec) got things started a mere 14 ticks into the contest.

After Skidmore put in the initial score of the 2nd frame, UNE (0-1) answered 20 seconds later on a goal by senior Russ Franey (York, Maine). Senior Adam Laite (Howie Center, Nova Scotia) made it two-straight for the hosts by netting an unassisted power play goal just past the midway point of the period, however, the Thoroughbreds struck just 22 seconds later to restore the five-goal cushion (7-2).

Skidmore added two more before the 2nd intermission to make the difference seven heading into the final stanza.

Sophomore Jared Melman (San Jose, Calif.) and junior Sean Sullivan (Worcester, Mass.) each found the back of the net for Big Blue 36 seconds apart in the latter stages of the 3rd period to provide the closing margin.

For the Thoroughbreds, seniors Brendan Cottam (Belmont, Mass.) and Julian Malakorn (Warwick, R.I.), as well as junior Aaron Beck (Maribel, Wisc.) and Chris Powers (Melrose, Mass.), all contributed a goal and an assist to the winning cause. Sophomore T.J. Schneider (South Beach, N.Y.) also found his way into the scoring column for the visitors.

Between the pipes, sophomore Spencer Sodokoff (Greenwich, Conn.) turned in 19 saves over 40 minutes of work for Skidmore, before giving way to first-year Ben Freiberg (Weston, Mass.), who made eight stops the rest of the way.

The Nor'easters split goaltender time three ways on the night with junior Ian Edwards (Linden, Mich.), sophomore Craig Ryan (Wallingford, Conn.), and junior Keith MacDonald (Storrs, Conn.). The group went for 12, 11, and nine saves, respectively.

Both sides return to the ice on Saturday for 4 p.m. matchups -- the Thoroughbreds visiting the University of Southern Maine and UNE hosting nationally-ranked (No. 11) Castleton State College.