Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Norwich University scored twice in the third period to open up a close game for a 5-2 ECAC Men's East ice hockey win over the University of New England Friday (Jan. 25) evening at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The nation's top-ranked Division III team, Norwich improves to 15-2 overall, 10-1 in ECAC East. The Nor'easters fall to 5-12, 3-9 in league play.

The Cadets got off to a quick start, scoring twice in the opening 5:27. Sophomore Bryce Currier (Essex Junction, Vt.) started the scoring at 4:54 when he put home a wrist-shot off a feed from senior Blake Forkey (Boca Raton, Fla.). Norwich would double its lead less than a minute later as Forkey spun around and lifted a point-blank shot past UNE goaltender Colby Drost (Franklin Lakes, N.J.). Junior Chris Duszynski (Okotoks, Alberta) found Forkey with a pass from behind the cage.

UNE sliced its deficit in half 3:14 into the second frame while on the power play. Senior Adam Laite (Howie Center, Nova Scotia) poked home a shot from right in front of the goal after junior Sean Sullivan (Worcester, Mass.) fed him a pass through heavy traffic. First-year Ryan Quinn (Burlington, Mass.) was credited with the secondary assist on the play.

Norwich pushed the lead back to two (3-1) just over three minutes later when junior Travis Janke (Swift Current, Saskatchewan) stuffed home a rebound for his ninth tally of the season.

Less than 40 seconds later the Nor'easters made it a 3-2 game. Sophomore Zeth Zielinkski (Woonsocket, R.I.) received a dump pass from classmate Jared Melman (San Jose, Calif.) and one-timed a wrist-shot into the net.

Leading 3-2 after two periods, the Cadets forged some breathing room at 6:50 of the final frame when first-year Ben Morgan beat Drost for his third career marker.

Mulvey would score his team-leading 12th goal with an empty-net tally in the final minute to provide the final margin of 5-2.

Junior Chris Czarnota (Wakefield, Mass.) had 17 saves to up his season record to 8-1 for the Cadets, who led 40-19 in shots on goal. Drost turned aside 35 for UNE.

Both teams hit the ice again tomorrow. Norwich heads to Gorham for a clash with the University of Southern Maine, while the Nor'easters host St. Michael's College. Each game faces-off at 4 p.m.


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