Here’s a look at the weekend that was in the ECAC Northeast and MASCAC.
EDIT: Wireless is up and running in Boston. Follow me on twitter, NUnate41 for live updates from Plymouth State at Wentworth.
Friday, Jan. 7
Utica 5, Curry 2
The first in a brutal stretch of games for Curry saw Utica grab three second period goals that proved to be the difference. After the Colonels cut the lead to 4-2, Utica scored a short-handed goal late in the third to deny Curry the comeback.
Brockport 9, Western New England 6
The opening game of the two-game series ended up looking more like a high scoring baseball slugfest, but in the end, Brockport got its second win of the year while WNEC fell to 3-7-1 on the season. Brockport peppered 52 shots on net and scored a combined seven goals over the final two periods.
Saturday, January 8
Brockport 8, Western New England 3
Once again, the Golden Eagles poured shot after shot on net, finishing the game with 58. Four first period goals put this one away early, as Western New England gave up four power-play goals on nine chances.
Massachusetts-Dartmouth 5, Salve Regina 2
Back in action for the first time in nearly a month, the Corsairs shook off some rust to down Salve Regina at home. The Corsairs jumped to a 3-0 lead at the end of the first, but the Seahawks crawled back to 3-2 before UMD pulled away again.
“In the second period, we helped Salve get back into the game by over-passing in the neutral zone, but when it got to 3-2, they didn’t have a lot of chances,” UMD coach John Rolli told Corsairs Athletics.com. ” They only had 10 shots on goal in the final 40 minutes. We need to improve on some things, but it was nice to come back from break and start off with a win.”
The game also marked the return to action for Massachusetts-Dartmouth defenseman Mickey Dudley (two assists) and forward Todd Bartelson, both who had been out since late November with injuries.
Nichols 4, Assumption 1
Will Munson’s goal at 0:48 gave the Bisons and early lead and they scored three unanswered goals after an Assumption score to take a 4-1 decision from the Greyhounds. The loss snapped a three-game losing streak for Nichols. Senior Matt Sayers scored his team-leading 12th goal of the season on the power play to give Nichols the lead for good shortly after Assumption tied it.
Oswego 3, Curry 0
Three second period goals are all the stood between Curry and Oswego, the No. 1 team in the USCHO.com Division III Men’s Poll. Special teams played a large part, as Oswego added a short-handed and power-play goal. Oswego outshot the Colonels 43-17 in the win. It was the third straight game that Curry gave up a short-handed goal.
Sunday, January 9
Plymouth State 2, Wentworth 2
The opening game of a two-game set in Boston ended in a draw, despite Wentworth gaining a power-play chance in the overtime period. The two teams meet tonight at 6:00 to close out the series.
Johnson and Wales 3, Becker 0
The only conference action of the weekend saw the Wildcats deal Becker its first conference loss of the year. Matt Cooper made 32 saves for the shutout, while Ryan Sells’ short-handed goal at 18:19 quashed any thoughts of a Becker comeback.
Weekly Honors
MASCAC
Player of the Week – Kris Threlkeld, Fitchburg State: Netted goal and seven assists for eight points in 4-0 week for Falcons, including marker and three helpers in 8-6 Codfish Bowl semifinal round triumph over Wentworth. Added three assists in 9-3 victory over Assumption and helper in 3-2 overtime win over Becker.
Goalie of the Week – Bobby Leiser, Fitchburg State: Posted four victories while registering 141 saves in 214 minutes of play in 4-0 week for Falcons. Stopped 58 of 59 shots in 4-1 Codfish Bowl championship round victory at Massachusetts- Boston and added 37 stops in 3-2 extra session triumph over Becker.
Click here for full release, courtesy of the MASCAC.
Picks Record
Weekend: 6-2
Overall:51-30
Depending on Internet access, I plan on tweeting from the Plymouth State/Wentworth game tonight. Check back for a link.
