Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Nine different players found the back of the net and Billy Girard IV provided a 23-save shutout as the No.8 University of New England men's ice hockey team kicked off the 2022-23 campaign with a 10-0 triumph over Western New England University in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) tilt Friday night (Nov. 4) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

Fresh off the unveiling a new banner in the ice arena, signifying last year's landmark run to the national semifinals, the Nor'easters (1-0, 1-0 CCC) hit the new season in stride. UNE dominated from the opening face-off and broke through 4:32 into the contest on a score by rookie Jayden Price. Jared Christy and Jake Fuss struck 64 seconds apart later in the frame, before a short-handed goal from Collin Heinold at the 18:19 mark capped the 1st period at 4-0.

Ryan Kuzmich and Fuss, again, increased the cushion to 6-0 in the 2nd stanza, and four more tallies within the initial 4:20 of the 3rd pumped the lead into double figures. Daniel Winslow, rookies Aidan Curran and Juraj Elias, and Logan DiScanio supplied the scoring in the final period.

In all, 17 skaters factored into the scoresheet for the offense. Following Fuss' two markers, Price, Christy, Kuzmich, Winslow, and DiScanio each settled on two points by assisting on another goal. Liam Whitehouse, Will Spitzer, Chad Merrell, and Shea Courtmanche registered two assists apiece.

Girard's third career clean sheet was aided by 13 blocked shots in front of him, of which Merrell had three.

The Nor'easters doubled up the Golden Bears (1-2, 0-1 CCC) in shots on the evening, 46-23. Starter Anthony Aureliano made 10 saves for the visitors through 20 minutes, while Colten Lancaster posted 26 the rest of the way.

The two teams will skate again in Massachusetts on Saturday (5 p.m.).