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BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Bryce Nielsen had a hat-trick, and goaltender Brett Kilar recorded 45 saves to lead New England College to a 6-4 victory over the University of New England in a New England Hockey Conference men's game played Friday night at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The win pushed the Pilgrims' unbeaten streak to three games and gave New England College (11-7-4, 6-5-4 NEHC) a split of the season series with the Nor'easters, who dipped to 11-9-2 overall and 7-7-1 in NEHC action.
 

After the two teams played a scoreless first period, things heated up in the second as the squads combined for seven goals. Nielsen struck early, re-directing a shot into the goal just 30 seconds into the frame. 

Nick Wirth evened the score at the 7:20 mark on a wrister from the left point, but Nielsen put the visitors back on top less than two minutes later when he stick-handled his way down the slot and went five-hole.

UNE responded once again on a top-shelf wrist shot by Dustin Walsh to tie the game (2-2) at 11:57. 

The Pilgrims would take the lead for the third time less than one minute later when Conor Crouse converted a back-hander through a crowd in the slot.

Once again, the Nor'easters drew even quickly. Ian Rodden fired a wrister from the left point through a screen in front to tie the score, 3-3, at 14:11.

Nielsen would give the Pilgrims the lead for good with 2:26 remaining in the period, finishing off his hat-trick with a high wrist shot that found its way just inside the near right post.

NEC pulled away in the initial 10 minutes of the final period with a pair of markers. Scott Cornfield scored on the power play to give NEC a 5-3 lead at 4:24 before Garrett Brazzier poked home a rebound just inside the 10-minute mark.

UNE's Trevor Fleurent made the score 6-4 less than a minute later when he tipped in a shot with the Nor'easters on the power play.

Kilar had a strong showing in goal for the Pilgrims turning aside all 18 shots he saw in the opening period and coming up with some brilliant stops in the final stanza. Andreas Zollner contributed two assists for NEC, which was victorious despite being outshot by more than a 2-to-1 margin (49-24).

Danny Antonoff and Jimmy Tich each recorded two assists for the Nor'easters. Mason Riley (JR/Turnersville, N.J.) surrendered five goals and had 14 saves before giving way to Joe Noonan, who had four saves and one goal allowed in 13:38 of action.

New England College will play a road game at the University of Southern Maine tomorrow, while the Nor'easters host Saint Anselm College on Senior Day. Both games are slated to start at 4 p.m.