Statistics

EVERETT, Mass. -- The 12th-ranked University of New England men's ice hockey team scored three times in the opening 10 minutes before holding off Wentworth Institute of Technology for a 3-2 Conference of New England (CNE) victory Friday night (Jan. 24) at Allied Veterans Rink.

The Nor'easters got the offense cranked up early, taking advantage of a power-play opportunity when Jacob Pellerin one-timed a centering pass from Ryan Kuzmich. Dominic Murphy got a secondary assist on the scoring play that came 2:48 into the contest.

UNE doubled its lead less than five minutes later when Kuzmich swept home a feed from Drew Olivieri. Chip Hamlett had won a puck battle to the left of the cage to set up Olivieri's pass.

The advantage increased to 3-0 midway through the first on what proved to be the game-winner by Jayden Price. After a Wentworth turnover in the Nor'easters' end of the ice, Mike Tersoni found Price, who fired a wrist shot top shelf from the left circle.

The Leopards regrouped after their rough start as Max Pineo and Shea Thibault scored 1:15 apart in the second frame to get the hosts within one (3-2) just before the midway part of the period.

UNE was able to maintain its one-goal advantage the rest of the way, however, as the Nor'easters limited Wentworth to just six shots on goal in the third period. Joey Stanizzi finished with 18 saves for earn the win in goal. 

Topher Chirico registered 28 stops for Wentworth (5-10-2, 3-6-1 CNE).

Winners of four consecutive outings, the Nor'easters (11-5-1, 7-3-0) will look to extend their streak tomorrow when the same two teams battle at the Harold Alfond Forum in Biddeford. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.