Statistics

NORTHFIELD, Vt. -- Logan DiScanio scored a pair of power-play goals, including the deciding tally early in the 3rd period, as the No.13 University of New England men's ice hockey team defeated Wesleyan University (Conn.) by a 2-1 margin on Saturday (Dec. 30) during the opening round of the Northfield Savings Bank Tournament at Norwich University's Kreitzberg Arena.

Returning from a four-week break, the Nor'easters (7-2-2) are now unbeaten in their last seven outings following a 2-2-0 beginning to the year. The 23rd edition of the event will conclude Sunday at 7 p.m. when UNE squares off with No.11 Norwich, which needed a goal in the waning seconds of regulation against Aurora University to extend things prior to winning in overtime, 3-2.

The last time UNE played in the tournament was 2017-18, defeating SUNY Geneseo (9-5) and then the host Cadets (1-0) on the way to the title. Two days later, the Nor'easters earned the program's first national ranking.

After a scoreless 1st period in which Cardinals goalie Erik Voloshin made 18 saves, the first power play of the contest for either side allowed UNE to take a 1-0 lead at the 7:22 mark of the 2nd. On the back half of the opportunity, Anthony Cinato found Dominic Murphy below the left circle and Murphy spotted DiScanio's stick waiting just outside of the crease to redirect it past Voloshin.

Wesleyan (2-6-0) got even on the power play 1:23 into the 3rd, when Ethan Davidson connected with Parker Sondag for the equalizer. But just 1:48 later, the Nor'easters were back on the advantage and DiScanio tipped home a shot from the point by Cinato for the go-ahead score. Murphy also picked up his second assist on the play.

The Cardinals had 100 seconds with an extra skater at the end of the frame, looking to draw level again, but were unable to attempt a shot during that span.

Billy Girard IV logged 16 saves to get the win for UNE, while Voloshin finished with 41 stops in the opposite cage.