Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Brent Hill scored two first-period goals as the University of New England defeated Franklin Pierce, 6-4, in men's ice hockey action at the Harold Alfond Forum on Saturday afternoon.
 
Franklin Pierce struck first 5:36 into the opening period with a goal by Bryce Chaput. Liam Darcy quickly knotted it up for the Nor'easters with his second score of the season with help from Alex Vukota [Watch]. Paul Antkowiak answered back for the Ravens just 58 seconds later to give the visitors at 2-1 lead with 12:08 to play in the period. Antkowiak finished with a goal and two assists in the loss.
 
Jeff Eppright found Hill through the crease with a turnaround pass for a goal at the 7:04 mark of the frame to tie the score once again [Watch]. Hill blasted a shot from the left circle just over the shoulder of Ravens' goaltender Ian Wallace for his second of the day to give UNE a 3-2 lead after a period [Watch].
 
The Nor'easters extended their advantage to 5-2 in the second. Austin Morgan hit Aaron Aragon for a goal on a 3-on-2 rush by UNE early in the period. Alden Weller blasted a shot past Wallace from the blue line to give the host their largest lead of the day with 7:43 to play in the second [Watch].
 
Josh Kippenhan scored in the closing seconds to narrow the gap to 5-3 heading into the final 20 minutes of play. Franklin Piece added another goal in the opening minute of the third by Vito Carlo to pull within one.
 
Vukota put the game out of reach with his second goal in as many games, scoring from the top of the right circle, with 8:52 to play [Watch]. He finished with three points (1g, 2a) on the day, as did Hill.
 
Aidan Hosein recorded his first win in net, making nine saves over the first two periods. Peter Ciccarelli played the third for UNE and had seven stops. Wallace recorded 34 saves for the Ravens. UNE doubled up Franklin Pierce in shots on goal, 40-20.
 
The Nor'easters and Ravens square off again at the Forum tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m.