Statistics

WORCESTER, Mass. – The #9 University of New England men's ice hockey team clinched the top seed in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championship and a share of the regular-season title with a 5-0 victory over Becker on Saturday afternoon at the Worcester Ice Center.
 
Following a scoreless first period, Justin Dixson sent in his fourth goal of the season at the 5:49 mark of the second to give the Nor'easters the lead for good. Derek Mecrones and Chris Jones assisted on the game-winner. Jared Christy added a score with help from Alex Vukota and Brendan Donohue as UNE led 2-0 through two.
 
The Nor'easters (18-4-3, 14-2-2 CCC) piled it on in the third period. Aaron Aragon tallied his second of the year 6:37 into the frame. Liam Neuman added a goal 2:32 later and Mecrones completed the scoring with a goal just past midway through the period. Dixson matched Mecrones with a team-high two points.
 
Ben Churchfield (17) and Pat Schena (2) combined for 19 stops for the visitors, who outshot the Hawks, 48-19, on the day. Cody Foster had 43 saves for Becker (5-19-1, 2-15-1 CCC) in the loss.
 
UNE will host the lowest remaining seed from Wednesday's opening round in the semifinals on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m.