Statistics
Photo Gallery

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Suffolk University received 27 saves from Austin McNicholas and the defense chipped in with 13 blocked shots as the Rams edged No.7 University of New England by a 2-0 margin in a Conference of New England (CNE) men's ice hockey matchup at the Harold Alfond Forum on Friday night (Jan. 9).

The Rams (6-6-1, 6-2-1 CNE) grabbed an early lead with a fortunate bounce, as Daniel McKiernan shoveled one wide of the net and it banked off of two Nor'easters and around UNE goalie Harrison Chesney at the 3:05 mark of the 1st period. The visitors were on top of an 8-5 spread in shots at the intermission.

The Nor'easters (9-4-0, 6-2-0) found some better pressure in the 2nd, and had the majority of chances in the 3rd, but could not solve the rookie netminder McNicholas. Nick Liotino supplied three blocked shots to aid the Suffolk result.

In the latter stages of the 2nd, the Rams caught UNE in a line change and Joe O'Brien got in behind for a finish at the left post.

The outcome marked just the sixth instance in the last 11 seasons that the Nor'easters were held off the score sheet, and the first in three calendar years.

UNE did manage to keep Suffolk from converting on a pair of power play opportunities and maintain its nation-leading penalty kill, which is now 41-for-41 on the season. Only one other squad, out of all other NCAA men's ice hockey programs (both Division III and Division I), has allowed less than three advantaged goals (Hamilton College, 2).

Chesney collected 12 saves for the hosts, who will head to Massachusetts on Saturday to square off again with the Rams.