All-Time Series & Streaks
The Bison picked up their first win over the Valiants in six tries (1-4-1). They lost the previous meeting at Levy Rink, 8-5, back on January 14, 2014.
 
Three Stars of the Game
1 – Nichols senior goaltender Alex Larson (Madison, Ala.) – turned aside 41 shots to earn his 10^th win of the season; made 18 saves in first period to send NC to locker room leading 1-0
2 – Nichols junior Sean Swansen (Salem, N.H.) – scored the game-winning goal late in the second period, his fifth of the season; picked up the second assist on the Bison's first goal and was a +2
3 – Manhattanville senior goaltender Kurt Williams (Rocky Mountain House, Alberta) – finished the evening with 35 saves, 15 of which came in the second period
 
Quick Synopsis
Larson made a season-high 41 saves and goals from Swansen and junior Rob Belger (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) helped the Bison snap a three-game losing skid with a 2-1 win over Manhattanville in non-conference action at Levy Rink. Sophomore Steven Gaul (Downers Grove, Ill.) scored his eighth of the season for the Valiants.
 
Key Stat of the Game
Nichols was outshot 18-9 in the first period, yet left the ice up 1-0 behind Belger's second goal of the season. Manhattanville closed the night with a 42-37 edge in shots.
 
Turning Point
Freshman Blake Kelley (Woodbury, Minn.) was accessed a two-minute penalty for holding with 2:04 to go in the third period, giving the Valiants their third PP of the night. Midway through the power play, Williams was pulled for the extra skater, giving Manhattanville a 6-on-4 advantage for the remainder of the game. Nichols blocked several shots and the Valiants were only credited with one on goal during the span, and Larson was able to get his skate on a point blank shot from Gail with time winding down.
 
Quick Hits
-Senior Steve Lecey (Cedarburg, Wis.) and Paul Prescott (Oakdale, Minn.), along with sophomore Scott Cuthrell (Waterford, Mich.), each picked up assists for Nichols.
-Each school finished 0-for-3 with the man advantage.
-Junior Tanner Hicks (Calgary, Alberta) and sophomore Kevin Loppatto (Atlanta, Ga.) were credited with assists on Gaul's marker.
 
Quotes
"The big thing for us going into tonight's game was 'Let's be 1-0,' and that's been our mentality all year. Be 1-0 in your next game. When we went on our 10-game winning streak, we didn't talk about it. When we lost a few in a row, we didn't talk about it. Our goal in practice this week was to win on Wednesday. The guys were focused and practiced hard. We focused on good body language and believing in each other. It was just a good, solid team win."– Nichols head coach Parker Burgess
 
"We had Daniel Bufis in the lineup. He's a heart and soul guy for us. We joke about it, but that kid brought it tonight. He's only practiced twice since his injury and he looked great out there. He was a little tired at the end. He's a big part of our team, whether it's on the scoreboard or simply the intangibles that he brings. I noticed tonight more than ever, we stayed up and stuck to the game plan and kept believing. In the last few games, when we've allowed goals, it's taken the air out of our sails a little bit. Tonight, they persevered." Burgess, on the difference in tonight's effort compared to the previous contests
 
"Swanny (Sean Swansen) has been playing real hard and been so close. He puts a lot of pressure on himself. He's a good player and he wants to contribute. The coaches told him that the goal that usually gets you started is not a pretty one and to go to the net. He went to the net and put in his own rebound. I couldn't be happier for him." – Burgess, on Swansen's game-winning goal
 
Next up
Nichols (11-4-0) – Saturday, January 16 vs Suffolk, 7:40 p.m.
Manhattanville (8-6-1) – Friday, January 15 vs Williams, 7:00 p.m.