Box Score HARRISVILLE, R.I. (Dec. 7) – Nichols first-year Louie Educate led the Bison with a pair of goals and an assist in a 4-1 victory on Wednesday night in a non-conference men's ice hockey matchup with Franklin Pierce at Levy Rink. With the win, Nichols snaps a five game skid and ends the first semester with a 2-7-1 overall record while the Ravens dip to 1-5-2.

Nichols outshot the Franklin Pierce 13-9 in the first period with one finding the back of the net at 17:03. First-year Joe Sposit sent a pass up the boards through the neutral zone to senior Andrew Letellier at the blue line who tipped it past the defender where Educate fired a wrist shot to the top right of the cage. Franklin Pierce had three power play chances as Nichols had one.

Educate began things 29 seconds into the second frame as he knocked home a feed from sophomore Greg Strootman. The play initially developed as rookie Tyler Marek shot to the low right side of Raven goalie Junior Pat Dunn who deflected the puck for the save.

Franklin Pierce emerged from a shooting drought at 6:47 when freshman Brendan Fitzpatrick took aim at the net from the top of the right circle as Nichols senior Jacob Rinn made the save with his right leg.

First-year Kyle Shapiro netted his first career marker on a slow high wrist shot with 7:39 remaining in the second. Sposit carried the puck into the zone on the left just before he fed Shapiro. Senior Andrew Ella was also credited with an assist on the play.

The Ravens broke through 41 seconds into the third as junior Dino Federico forced a turnover inside the blue line then carried the puck down the far boards and finished off with a backhanded shot.

Nichols added one more tally with 2:43 remaining when rookie Evan Jones picked up his first collegiate goal. Educate, receiving pressure due to a 2-on-1, passed ahead toward Jones near the right post.

The Bison finished the game with a 44-32 advantage on shots. Franklin Pierce had four power play chances while Nichols had a pair of opportunities.

Rinn stopped 31 shots for the Bison as the Ravens Dunn collected 40 saves on the evening.

Nichols takes a break until Saturday, December 31 when the team heads to Trinity in Hartford, Conn. The puck drops at 4:00 p.m. in the Koeppel Community Sports Center. Franklin Pierce entertains University of New England at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.
 
Box Score