HARRISVILLE, R.I. – The Nichols men's hockey program fell to Wentworth Institute of Technology, 4-3, in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action Friday night at Levy Rink.
 
The Leopards (2-4-1, 1-3-1 CCC) got on the board within the first six minutes of the first period on a blue line strike by Hunter Wilson.
 
The Bison (3-4-0, 1-4-0 CCC) tied the game just about two minutes later thanks to a goal by freshman Damon Dulac. Sophomore Luke Harvie sent the puck up to the point from the goal line, which junior Philip Bjorkman sent in on net. Dulac was able to collect the rebound in front of the net and beat Leopards netminder Will Oliver glove side.
 
Wentworth would regain the lead at the 8:22 mark with a power play goal by Charlie Reid, before adding a second power play goal with 48 seconds remaining by Nikolas Sambrowski, bringing the score to 3-1 at the end of the period.
 
Travis Marchant extended the lead to three for the Leopards eight minutes into the middle frame on a rocket of a shot from the blue line, forcing Bison freshman goalie Anthony Bonaldi out of the net in favor of junior Mathias Backstrom. Bonaldi ended his night with twelve saves and four goals allowed.
 
Nichols was granted a power play with 4:33 remaining in the period after Wentworth's Hunter Wilson was sent to the box for roughing. Despite not converting on the man-up advantage, senior Hunter Frasier buried a score just six seconds after the Leopards returned to even strength. Junior Quinn McCarthy was able to win a scrum against the boards and found Frasier wide open at the blue line, sending a blistering shot past Oliver to cut the Wentworth lead to 4-2.
 
The Bison brought the game back within one with 4:58 remaining in the third period. Despite making a highlight-reel save on a cross by senior Conor Leonard, sophomore Kaiden Scott was able to collect the rebound in front and send it behind Oliver.
 
Backstrom finished the night with 12 saves with no goals allowed, while Oliver recorded 42 saves in the win.
 
The two teams will meet again tomorrow, Saturday November 19, for a 3:00 p.m. matchup at Allied Veterans Rink in Everett, Mass.