WORCESTER, Mass. (10/31/2025) - The Nichols College Bison men's ice hockey team opened its 2025-26 campaign away at the Worcester Ice Arena for the opening game of the 5th annual WooCup against the Anna Maria College AMCATS. After battling for three periods, the Bison fell by a final score of 2-1.
 
After tonight's result, Nichols starts the season at 0-1 (0-0 CNE), while Anna Maria opens the year strong at 1-0.
 
Nichols and Anna Maria battled through a scoreless opening period, each side generating chances but unable to convert. Nichols had power-play opportunities in the first 20 minutes, including a 48 second 5-on-3 opportunity, but could not break through. Gavin Duckworth recorded the most shots for the Bison in the period with 5.
 
Nichols struck early in the second period with a power-play goal just 31 seconds in. Junior forward CJ Zezima (1) received assists from Jeremy Tremblay and Jacob Ammar to give the Bison a 1-0 lead. This was Zezima's 11 career goal for the Bison. The AMCATS responded at 16:36 of the period when Hayden Rynard (1) tallied the equalizer on a goal assisted by Nicholas Frederick and Oliver Majesky, sending the game into the third tied at 1-1.
 
The Bison couldn't regain their momentum in the third. At 8:43 of the final period, the AMCATS Nolan Ring (1) scored the game-winning goal with assists from Kenny Kalman and Hayden Rynard. Nichols had opportunities in the final 10 minutes, but could not find the equalizer. Anna Maria advanced to the championship game of the WooCup with a 2-1 win. The Bison controlled face-offs narrowly, 34 wins to 32 losses, and went 1 for 5 on the power play on the night, while Anna Maria went 0 for 4.
 
Between the pipes, freshman goalie Ryan Henry made 34 saves in the game, averaging a .944 save percentage.
 
The Bison are heading back to the Worcester Ice Arena on Sunday, November 2nd, for a 4 PM game against Assumption University for the consolation game of the WooCup.