Box Score HARTFORD, Conn. (Dec. 31) – Junior forward Chris Menard notched a hat trick plus an assist to lead the Trinity College Bantams to an 8-3 victory over the visiting Nichols College Bison in  men's ice hockey action this afternoon at Williams Rink in the Koeppel Community Sports Center.  The Bantams improve to 3-5, snapping a two-game losing streak, while Nichols falls to 2-8-1. 

Menard netted the first goal 4:24 into the contest from classmate Sabastion Kimmel and twin brother Jeff Menard.  Nichols sophomore forward Greg Strootman got the visitors on the board with 11:58 left in the first frame with helpers from rookies Tyler Marek and Louie Educate.

Senior forward Sean McCarthy gave the Bantams a 2-1 lead 1:15 later on a rebound off the initial shot by junior defenseman Michael DiCenso.  Bantam senior co-captain Michael DeMayo scored the next two goals, and Chris Menard scored twice in a 12-second span late in the second stanza for a 6-1 Bantam lead at the second intermission. 

Nichols senior Andrew Letellier knocked home a power play goal at 7:31 in the third off feeds from sophomore Blake Bishop and junior Zach Kohn.
           
McCarthy added a pair of helpers for the Trinity offense, while junior forward Zach Lombardi had one goal and one assist, and sophomore forward Will Gray assisted on two Bantam scores.  First-year forward Mike Schiavone netted the final Bison goal with help from classmates Johnny Blaus and Mike Schwartz.

Strootman scored his first goal of the season while Schiavone netted his first tally in collegiate competition. Letellier knocked home his second marker of 2011-12.

Sophomore goalie Dylan Woodring made 28 of Nichols' 33 saves among three different backstops.  Trinity rookie netminder Kevin Green made 35 stops in his collegiate debut.

The Bison are idle until Friday when the club heads to Buffone Rink for a 2:30 p.m. game against Worcester State to open the Worcester City Shootout.

Box Score

Portions Courtesy Trinity Sports Information