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BIDDEFORD, Maine -- University of New England rookie Brady Fleurent re-directed a shot into the goal with 2:18 remaining to give the Nor'easters a 3-2 New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) win over Skidmore College on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 9) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

Undefeated in their last eight contests (7-0-1), the Nor'easters improved to 8-4-1 overall and evened their conference mark at 4-4-1. Skidmore dropped to 3-11-1, 3-5-0 in NEHC action. UNE's unbeaten string of eight is the nation's third-longest current streak behind St. Norbert College (11) and Adrian College (9).

After a goal by Ondrej Krajnak had tied the game for Skidmore with just under five minutes remaining, Fleurent got his stick on a shot by Dylan Bengston and tipped in the puck from the slot area. The goal was Fleurent's eighth of the season -- tying him for the team lead -- and his second game-winner. His brother, Trevor Fleurent also assisted on the goal.

Despite being out-shot 25-17 over the opening two periods, the Nor'easters had built a 2-1 advantage. Blaise Healy tallied the only marker of the first, re-directing a shot by Dustin Walsh, who put the puck on net off a pass from Jackson Tucker. 

UNE doubled its lead at 14:14 of the second when Healy carried the puck behind the cage and spotted Ryan Quinn set up at the top of the crease. Quinn deposited Healy's centering pass into the cage. Cassidy April had started the play from the neutral zone.

The Thoroughbreds would cut their deficit in half 1:37 later while on the power play as captain Marc Cibelli converted a rebound of a Adam Moodie shot.

Skidmore head coach Rob Hutchison took a gamble deep in the third period and it paid off, as Skidmore was able to tie the game. With his team on the power play, Hutchison pulled goaltender Jack McDonald in favor of an extra skater. Krajnak would roof a wrist shot from the low slot with 4:43 on the clock to knot the score, 2-2.

Fleurent's game-winner provided the Nor'easters with their second one-goal victory in as many nights.

Connor Maloney recorded the win in goal for UNE to remain unbeaten (5-0-1) on the season. He stopped 37 of the 39 shots that came his way. McDonald finished with 24 saves for Skidmore, which was 2 of 4 on the power play.

Both teams will play a pair of NEHC games next Friday and Saturday. UNE heads to Norwich and St. Michael's College, while the Thoroughbreds host St. Anselm College and New England College.