Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The nationally-ranked Bowdoin College men's ice hockey team opened up a 2-0 lead and fended off the University of New England late for a 4-2 victory in non-league action Tuesday (Nov. 20) evening at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The Polar Bears, ranked ninth in the most recent USCHO national poll, improve to 2-0-1 on the young season, while the Nor'easters fall to 1-5-0.

Bowdoin got on the scoreboard first as senior Daniel Weiniger went top shelf at 4:14 of the first to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage. Juniors Ollie Koo (Greenwich, Conn.) and Harry Matheson (Kingston, Ontario) were credited with assists on the play.

The Polar Bears would double their lead 4:45 into the second frame when sophomore Danny Palumbo (Suwanee, Ga.) rifled a wrist-shot just under the crossbar. Sophomores Connor Quinn (Sudbury, Mass.) and Tim Coffey (Cumberland, R.I.) set-up the power-play tally.

UNE sliced its deficit in half at 15:17 of the second as sophomore Jared Melman (San Jose, Calif.) knocked home a rebound from close range. Assists went to seniors Adam Laite (Howie Center, Nova Scotia) and Russ Franey (York, Maine).

Leading 2-1 after two periods, Bowdoin got a much-needed third goal on the power play at 7:53 when Matheson took a pass from Weiniger and directed a shot towards the UNE cage that deflected off a Nor'easter defender and into the goal. Koo got the secondary assist on the play.

Big Blue got back within one (3-2) two minutes later. Melman centered a pass from the left side that first-year Ryan Quinn (Burlington, Mass.) one-timed into the net for his team-leading third goal.

Bowdoin would complete the scoring with 1:36 remaining. Junior goaltender Steve Messina (Newton, N.J.) cleared the puck to senior Rob MacGregor (Collegeville, Pa.), who found junior Kyle Lockwood (Ridgefield, Conn.) for the Polar Bear insurance goal.

Messina had 21 saves for the victory to up his record to 2-0. Sophomore Craig Ryan (Wallingford, Conn.) made 22 stops for the Nor'easters.

Both teams return to action this weekend (Nov. 24-25). Bowdoin will host Salve Regina University on Saturday before taking on Suffolk University at Colby College on Sunday. The Nor'easters will look to defend their title at the PAL Stovepipe Invitational hosted by Southern New Hampshire University. UNE will face the host Penmen in Saturday's opening round.