Statistics

BURRILLVILLE, R.I. – Ryan Kuzmich scored his first-career hat trick and the team's third of the year as the University of New England men's hockey team shutout Nichols College, 7-0, in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action on Friday night.
 
Both teams failed to score in the opening 20 minutes of play but UNE held a 13-11 advantage in shots. Kuzmich put in his first of the night at the 12:28 mark of the second period to give the Nor'easters the lead. Jared Christy and Jake Fuss, who finished with three assists, helped on the early goal. Jayden Price made it 2-0 with 6:11 left in the second with his first of two goals on the night.
 
Kuzmich buried his second of the night 1:21 into the third with help from Collin Heinold and Fuss. Price added another just under two minutes later off a pass from Anthony Sciucco as the Nor'easters jumped ahead 4-0. Fuss connected with Kuzmich for a goal to complete the hat trick with 14:47 to play in the game.
 
UNE had a 5-on-3 chance in the final minute and scored two power-play goals to round out its offensive effort. Will Spitzer scored with help from Aidan Curran with 22.2 seconds left. Chad Merrell put in the last goal just as the final horn blew. Nathan Chickering and Chip Hamlett assisted.
 
The Nor'easters more than doubled the Bison shot output at 53-25 overall. Joe Stanizzi had his first action of the season in goal for UNE and made 25 saves in the shutout. Mathia Backstrom made 46 stops for Nichols.
 
The teams return to the ice at the Harold Alfond Forum tomorrow night at 7 p.m. for the 7^th Annual Teddy Bear Toss Game.