Statistics

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- Goals by Nathan Chickering and Drew Olivieri in the 3rd period pulled No.8 University of New England out of a one-goal hole on the road, resulting in a 2-1 Conference of New England (CNE) victory against Johnson & Wales University in men's ice hockey action Saturday (Jan. 31) at Lynch Arena.

It marked the first time this season that the Nor'easters (15-5-0, 12-3-0 CNE) overcame a deficit entering the final frame, and the fourth time in four tries that the team had trailed by as many as one and come back to win. The triumph was UNE's fifth in-a-row, which has included all four of the 2025-26 wins powered by just two goals.

The visiting side was out-shot by an 11-10 margin in the 1st, and conceded a goal midway through the 2nd to JWU's Bret Beale to fall behind. The Nor'easters were hampered by six penalties during the initial 40 minutes, but it did not translate to the scoreboard, as the nation's top defensive special teams unit held strong each time.

In all, the penalty kill came through on seven occasions, improving to 72-of-73 on the year (98.6%). The Division III season record stands at 96.8 percent (Hobart College, 2023-24).

Chances and momentum began to shift in the 3rd, and then UNE racked up six shots on a power play before ultimately cashing in to tie things at the 8:59 mark. Chickering notched his team-best 10th goal of the season, and sixth advantaged tally, with assists from Chip Hamlett and Dominic Murphy.

Olivieri, who had five scores in a three-game span early in the year, notched his ninth with 11:36 gone in the period. And again, it was Hamlett and Murphy who factored in setting up the go-ahead goal; for Murphy, four total assists during the weekend elevated his ninth-rated per-game average in Division III from 0.94 to 1.05.

Down the stretch, the Nor'easters had to fend off another JWU power play and then nearly two minutes with the goalie pulled to seal it. Harrison Chesney wrapped up the afternoon with 25 saves, and forward Mike Tersoni helped with three blocked shots.

Maxim Zinchenko totaled 33 stops for the Wildcats (6-11-1, 4-9-0).

UNE will now prepare for a home-and-home with Roger Williams University. The Nor'easters already faced the first-year program, way back on November 14, and skated away with a six-goal victory.