BOSTON, Mass. - The Nichols College men's hockey team kicked off the seventh annual Boston Landing Collegiate Invitational in style on Saturday afternoon, as they beat Rivier University 4-2. With the win, the Bison improve their record to 5-7, while Rivier falls to 5-8-1.
 
Nichols came out strong in the first period, controlling the puck for most of the frame. After a few solid scoring chances, forward Gabe Temple finally found the back of the net with his 5^th goal of the year to give the Bison a 1-0 lead. Exactly one minute later, forward Kaiden Scott lit the lamp to extend the lead to 2-0. The goal was Scott's second point of the game.
 
Rivier would respond in the second period, putting much more pressure on the Nichols defense. The Raiders eventually got on the board with a power play goal 17:13 into the period.
 
5:57 into the third, Rivier would tie things up at 2 after multiple scoring chances. The Bison would respond soon after, as forward Luke Harvie ripped a shot from right in front of the net, off a great pass from Conor Leonard, past the goalie to give the Bison the lead back. The goal was Harvie's 3^rd of the year and also tied him for the team lead in points with 11. Nichols was able to control the next 10 minutes of the period until Nathan Carl sealed the victory with an empty netter.
 
Scott, Leonard, Owen Gonter, and Dylan McMahon all had 2 points a piece for the Bison. Goalie Mathias Backstrom picked up his 3^rd win of the season, tallying 20 saves.
 
With the win, Nichols advances to tomorrow's Boston Landing championship game against SUNY Brockport at 2:40. The game will take place again at Warrior Ice Arena in Boston.