HARRISVILLE, R.I. – Junior Matthew Menta picked up three assists in Nichols College's 4-4 tie with Western New England University in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's ice hockey action Saturday evening at Levy Rink.

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Senior Scott Cuthrell and sophomore J.B. Baker each racked up a goal and an assist for the Bison, who rallied from a 3-0 deficit to earn a draw and remain unbeaten at home on the season (8-0-3). Senior Matt Smethurst, along with juniors Matt O'Dea and Steve Beck, each collected a goal and an assist for the Golden Bears (8-12-3, 3-11-2 CCC).
 
The Golden Bears raced out to a 3-0 lead behind goals from Smethurst at 8:39, junior C.J. Totillo at 13:58, and Beck at 17:27. Nichols outshot the Golden Bears 16-7 in the frame but allowed both Totillo and Beck to get behind the defense for breakaway goals, the one from Beck coming while WNE was shorthanded.
 
The Bison fought back in the second and cut their deficit to one by the end of the frame. Junior Ben Campbell got NC on the board just 22 seconds in on a wrist shot from the left circle. At the 17:36 mark, classmate Ian Spencer let go of a wrist shot that deflected off Cuthrell and into the net on the power play. The Bison owned a 26-12 edge in shots through 40 minutes.
 
Just 50 seconds into the third, the Bison knotted the score at three on sophomore Vincent Crivello's 12th goal of the season. Baker slid the puck to Menta near the right corner, and Menta found a cutting Crivello for the tap-in from the slot.
 
Later in the period, Baker was hooked down on a breakaway and awarded a penalty shot. He collected the puck at center ice, skated in on junior netminder Kevin Gollmer, and went backhand shelf for his 13th tally of the season. However, O'Dea banged home a rebound just 26 seconds later to tie the game at four.
 
Nichols converted on one of its four PP chances while WNE went 1-of-2 with the man advantage. The Bison outshot the Golden Bears 44-21. Gollmer recorded 40 saves while senior Colin Brennan stopped 17 shots.
 
All-Time Series
This evening's contest marked the 70th all-time meeting between Nichols College and Western New England University. The Bison are 3-0-1 in the last four and lead the series, 32-31-7.