Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Two goals in the latter portion of the 2nd period gave No.12 University of New England a lead on the way to a 3-2 victory over Nichols College in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's ice hockey game Saturday night (Dec. 2) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

After tying the contest late in the 1st frame, the Nor'easters moved ahead (2-1) with eight minutes left in the middle stanza when Ryan Kuzmich stuffed in a rebound off the end boards [Watch]. Anthony Sciucco, with a shot from the slot over the cage, and Chip Hamlett picked up assists. Then, six minutes later, Garrett Devine delivered a wraparound goal -- his second of the season, and the weekend [Watch]. David Wilcox and Tyler Healey were credited with helpers on the play.

While UNE posted a 15-4 advantage in shots on goal in the 3rd, the only tally came from the Bison with 13 minutes to go, trimming the gap to one. Josh Dickson stepped into an errant pass in his defensive zone and carried it to the offensive circles before feeding Myles Mason for a quick shot, top shelf. It was Dickson's second assist of the evening.

Nichols was unable to sustain any real pressure down the stretch, needing to kill off two penalties. The Bison had 46 seconds with an extra skater, and two shots, searching for the equalizer -- one saved by Billy Girard IV, the other blocked by Jack Murphy.

Girard totaled 18 saves for the Nor'easters (6-2-2, 5-1-2 CCC). Murphy and Kevin O'Keefe each helped with a couple of blocks.

The Bison (2-5-2, 2-4-2) were first on the scoreboard midway through the 1st frame on a goal by Jack Lee. The cushion lasted until, for the second time in as many nights, Anthony Cinato found the back of the net for UNE with 2:47 remaining in the period. Noah Szretter and Logan DiScanio worked the puck out from behind their own cage and sent Cinato streaking up the right side, ultimately whipping a low shot inside the right post [Watch].

Similar to the feel of the 3rd, shots in the 1st were 10-3 in favor of the hosts. Overall, the margin stood at 38-20, and Tyler Bost recorded 35 stops between the pipes for the visitors.

The Nor'easters will now have four weeks without competition in advance of the Northfield Savings Bank Tournament, hosted by current No.11 Norwich University. UNE draws Wesleyan University in the opening round on December 30.