kSPRINGFIELD, Mass. (2/9/2024) – Western New England University scored two power-play goals in the final four minutes of the third period to sneak past the Nichols College men's hockey team with a 3-2 win in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play from the Olympia Ice Center.

Freshman Zack Kent and junior Nathan Carl each scored power-play goals in the loss for the Bison. Carl added an assist to cap-off a two-point night. Seniors Dylan McMahon, Philip Bjorkman, and junior Gabe Temple also added assists.

The Bison opened the scoring on the power-play with just over five minutes remaining in the opening frame. Bjorkman fired a shot from the point and with the traffic in front the loose puck squirted out of the pile and Kent hammered home the puck for a 1-0 lead. This was Kent's first collegiate goal. 

Western New England pulled even with their first of three power-play goals in the game. The game remained tied 1-1 after 40 minutes of play.

 Carl broke a 1-1 tie on the power-play with a back door goal. Nichols earned a 5 on 3 power-play and after entering the zone and setting up, they went to work.  Temple fired off two shots before the loose puck was gathered in by McMahon who faked a shot and sent a cross ice pass that found the stick of Carl. Carl redirected the puck into the open goal for a 2-1 lead on the 5 on 3.

The Golden Bears earned two power-play opportunities and capitalized on both in the third period to grab a 3-2 lead with 1:48 remaining in the third period. The Bison lost 3-2 to the Golden Bears.

Nichols controlled the majority of play, out shooting WNE, 45-26 in the game. Nichols was 2-7 on the power-play and struggled on the penalty kill, going 3-6. Junior Tyler Bost made 23 saves in the loss for Nichols.

Nichols will look to get back on the right track and continue their push to the postseason as they welcome in the University of New England to Levy Rink on Saturday afternoon. Puck drop is set for 4:40 p.m.