Statistics

WATERVILLE, Maine -- Bobby Landry converted a no-look, cross-ice pass from Matthew MacDonald with 2:12 remaining to give Colby College a 4-3 decision against the No.15 University of New England men's ice hockey team, salvaging the positive result after seeing a three-goal cushion evaporate in a span of just two minutes earlier in the 3rd period on Monday (Jan. 6) at Kelley Rink.

The Nor'easters (7-5-1), who just moved into the brand-new national poll for the first time since mid-November, trailed by three scores through 15 minutes of action in the 1st frame. That margin held in the 2nd and carried over into the final stanza, before a UNE surge cleared the deficit in 120 seconds. The visitors broke up the shutout bid at the 5:56 mark on the power play when Ryan Kuzmich parked himself in front of the net and batted in a one-bounce rebound, after Juraj Elias shot one from the blue-line into the high chest of the goalie. Only 23 ticks later, Jayden Price won a faceoff at the left dot and Nathan Chickering curled around the high side to collect the puck before stuffing it home at the left post. Price then carried zone-to-zone to key the third tally, and found a seam in the defense to feed Tyler Healey streaking down the slot for a one-timer inside the right post with 7:56 gone in the period. It was Healey's first goal of the season.

The Mules (8-2-1) used their timeout to temper the momentum, and quality scoring chances began flying both ways in the ensuing moments, forcing the most desperate saves out of UNE netminder Stefan Carney and Colby's Cooper Rautenstrauch. Carney was busier down the stretch, leading UNE to call its timeout with 2:23 left. However, Landry possessed the following faceoff and maneuvered to the opposite side of the cage to eventually finish off the deciding goal.

The Nor'easters added an extra skater to the mix just as the clock turned under two minutes remaining, but could not get any of their three chances past Rautenstrauch, who wound up with 22 stops.

Carney was charged with the setback despite yielding only the one goal and posting a season-best 28 saves in 43-plus minutes of work. Joey Stanizzi had 10 saves at the start of the contest.

Kuzmich, who now shares the team lead with nine goals, also contributed a match-high three blocked shots for UNE.

Early in the game, Matthew MacDonald (2:15), Jake MacDonald (11:02), and Connor Gallagher (14:35) built the advantage for Colby, with a no-angle shot off the goalie, an uncontested finish off a defensive turnover, and a blue-line shot through a screen.

The Nor'easters will look to bounce back this weekend at the Comfort Inn Winter Classic, hosted by Plattsburgh State (SUNY). The tournament opener for UNE on Saturday will be against No.10 Wilkes University (Pa.).